FORT STEWART, Ga. - “I want to drive home this single message to you… sexual harassment and assault response prevention is mission readiness,” said Col. Geoff Catlett, director of the U.S. Army SHARP Academy in Fort Leavenworth, Kan. as he began his briefing.
Leaders, SHARP representatives and victim advocates of 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division attended the briefing to discuss the strategic importance of the SHARP program March 9 at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity to have Col. Catlett take time to discuss the tactical and strategic importance of the SHARP program, and how it impacts our societal norms,” said Col. Thomas Gukeisen, commander of 2nd IBCT. “As leaders we must shape the Army and instill our Army values amongst the diverse group of today’s Soldiers.”
The U.S. Army’s SHARP, program is implemented at every level, whether it’s assistance from a trained SHARP representative to an individual Soldier, or doctrinal guidance from the highest levels of command to organizational leaders.
“This program and its message of creating a climate and culture of dignity and respect, where we all treat each other with the respect we deserve as Soldiers and the trust that builds, is what makes effective, lethal fighting teams,” Catlett said.
Catlett did not speak merely about statistics, reporting procedures and legal processes in relation to the program. He decided to take a different tact and discussed changes within the program, as well as how leaders can better identify behavior that could lead to a SHARP violation.
The guest speaker emphasized the importance of small group talks between leadership and subordinates about their personal views of gender roles, professional interactions with the opposite sex and how those fit in line with the Army’s values. This would be a portion of the three-hour mandatory training passed down from Catlett’s academy.
“Ninety minutes of the training is supposed to be a one-to-sixteen small group leader facilitated training where we sit around with a group of Soldiers and we have an honest discussion, generally based on vignettes and scenarios, about our own biases,” Catlett said.
“They need to hear it from their immediate supervisor if they’re going to believe it and follow it,” he added about instilling SHARP training at the lowest levels.
Army leaders are charged with the responsibility of preventing sexual harassment and assault through training and supervision, as well as taking care of Soldiers when an incident occurs.
“Leaders need to know the importance of the SHARP Program and how to respond with confidentially and effectiveness,” said Sgt. 1st Class Helen Osby, 2nd IBCT sexual assault response coordinator. “We are the voice for our Soldiers and family members, therefore our responsibility as leaders are to adhere to and enforce the prevention of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment.”
This event occurred a month before Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, which provides leaders, Soldiers, Civilians, and Family Members a focused month, in addition to year round opportunities, to take a visible active role in advancing the Army’s efforts to stop sexual assault.