Despite COVID-19, deployed Soldiers graduate from basic leaders course

By Sgt. Andrew WinchellJune 22, 2020

U.S. Army Soldiers from across the Central Command Area of Responsibility stand at their graduation from the Emergency Basic Leaders Course in Kuwait, on June 9, 2020. The EBLC course was offered to Soldiers while they were deployed to the Middle East.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers from across the Central Command Area of Responsibility stand at their graduation from the Emergency Basic Leaders Course in Kuwait, on June 9, 2020. The EBLC course was offered to Soldiers while they were deployed to the Middle East. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Thomas Wheeler) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Major General Steven Ferrari, the Commander of Task Force Spartan, speaks at the graduation ceremony for the Emergency Basic Leaders Course in Kuwait, on June 9, 2020. The EBLC course was offered to Soldiers while they were deployed to the Middle East.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Major General Steven Ferrari, the Commander of Task Force Spartan, speaks at the graduation ceremony for the Emergency Basic Leaders Course in Kuwait, on June 9, 2020. The EBLC course was offered to Soldiers while they were deployed to the Middle East. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Andrew Winchell) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- Even a pandemic like COVID-19 cannot stop the Army from developing and training its future enlisted leaders, and the Emergency Basic Leaders Course in Kuwait made sure of that.

Deployed Soldiers in the next generation of Army enlisted leaders were able to complete the Basic Leaders Course in Kuwait without having to go back to the United States for classes or delay their promotion eligibility.

The newest graduating class included more than 40 Soldiers from Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, with about 120 more from throughout the U.S. Army Central Command area of responsibility.

"This is your first developmental class; hopefully, you'll have plenty more," Army Maj. Gen. Steven Ferrari, the commander of Task Force Spartan Shield and the Infantry Division, told the latest graduates.

Enlisted Soldiers must take many courses as they progress through the Army's ranks. Completing the Basic Leaders Course is the first step in that progression, and it gives future enlisted leaders a glimpse at what it takes to become a noncommissioned officer and what it takes to lead other Soldiers properly.

"As you progress through your career, you will go to many courses, but none will be as unique as this one," Ferrari said. "It gives you an overview on how to lead, but everyone will develop their own style in how to lead. What you must do in order to become successful in this military is you must be a leader of character, competence and commitment."

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