FORT HOOD, Tx.- Two Soldiers walk into a bar, play a game of darts, and notice a girl. His judgment impaired by alcohol, a male Soldier approaches the female, making unwelcomed advances that test the boundaries of acceptable behavior. What happens next is an observation and discussion of the cause and effect of their decisions.
This is not an actual bar. These are not professional actors. They’re Soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division acting out reported incidents of sexual harassment to induce contemplation and discussion.
By receiving both visual and auditory learning strategies, the training audience can both empathize and critique the actions of the role players. It’s part of the Black Jack brigade’s quarterly Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) training.
Instead of the standard PowerPoint lecture in a classroom, SHARP training evolved into interactive skits on sets designed to replicate a bar, dorm room, and field environment. Each scenario is intended to represent actual situations Soldiers routinely encounter. The training is housed within the 1st Cavalry Division’s SHARP 360 building.
“We want Soldiers to see a situation and be a leader no matter what that Soldiers rank or position is and intervene,” said Staff Sgt. Tori Foster, 8BEB Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC). “If not, get in touch with the military police or chain of command and help whoever that victim may be to stop them from becoming a victim.”
The training's evolution provides Soldiers with more realistic scenarios.
“I believe the Army’s 360 SHARP is much more engaging than previous versions of SHARP training that used to be in a classroom setting,” said Capt. Will Ibrahim, civil affairs officer, 2BCT, 1CD. “In my opinion, the training is more realistic and a bit more hands-on than the previous version. Hopefully, it’ll bring forward positive results across the Army.”
The training was the first opportunity Pvt. 2nd Class Devaughn Dye, an administrative specialist, experienced after arriving at the brigade early this year.
“I liked the fact that I got to see real-life situations,” said Dye. “It’s going to help me reflect on when things like this start to happen. It made it real. When you see them in that setting, and you see them act out, it gives you a sense of those exact situations that you’re going to be in.”
A top priority for Col. Jeremy Wilson, commander, 2BCT, 1CD, his new policy letter revamped the system, changing the training from an annual to a quarterly requirement. New Soldiers will also receive the training as they in-process the brigade.