FORT SILL, Okla.-- About 15 Southwest Oklahoma citizens and Fort Sill employees in the Leadership Lawton-Fort Sill program toured post May 9 gaining perspective of the dynamics that help shape the local community.
New to Leadership Lawton, Mike Borden can appreciate the program's merits both as a Fort Sill employee and a "Lawtonian" who has called the town home for 30 years.
"I know the importance of the relationship between Lawton and Fort Sill," said the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation business operations division chief. "I'm MWR and we're here to take care of Soldiers and families, but also to keep the relationship we currently have with Lawton ."
Tour group members began their visit with a welcome from Maj. Gen. Mark McDonald, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general. Tour stops included a starship Basic Combat Training facility where they ate lunch and talked with Soldiers. Later, they experienced technology and Army marksmanship training melding together in the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000.
Borden added the tour provided people a perspective on the post many had never seen before. He mentioned the dining facility (DFAC) where tour participants had lunch with Soldiers.
"They were amazed at the layout and how nice everything was," said Borden, who believed the term 'mess hall' that most people associate with military DFACs may have gave some different preconceived notions.
Another stop displayed man and beast working in tandem at a military working dog demonstration. While there, military working dog handlers showcased their dogs agility in the obedience course, keen noses in a narcotics search and ferocity in the controlled agression demonstation.
Starr Cannon is a co-owner of Cannon Storage Systems Inc. of Lawton. The business builds mini-storage facilities and retail commercial buildings. She said she was especially excited to watch the military working dogs.
"I decided to take part in Leadership Lawton to see what I could learn to help build the community in which we live and make it a better place for everyone," she said. "It's a great program, and I'm having a lot of fun."
Tour participants also stopped at Monti Hall for battlefield simulations briefings and visited the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark Museum. The tour rounded out its visit at a neighborhood center for Corvias Military Living housing. While there, tour group members saw the Army's efforts to provide quality housing and services for its families.
The leadership program seeks to draw participants from various ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. Together they learn about issues and organizations that impact the city, Comanche County and the state of Oklahoma.
The Leadership Lawton website states the classroom is the community and key community leaders, city and county officials, and professional experts are the instructors. Through these tours and discussions, participants gain a familiarity with programs and resources within the area.
Sean Garibay, age 27, manages an Arvest Bank branch in Lawton. He grew up in the city and thanks to his dad's Army career also has direct ties to Fort Sill.
"I heard Leadership Lawton was a good program and have enjoyed the opportunity to see all over this community the leaders who learn from this it's been a great experience."
Social Sharing