General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital hosted the third annual Junior Officer Leadership Seminar at Pershing Community Club March 11.
Topics presented were "Trust and Building NCO and Officer Professional Relationships" presented by Command Sgt. Maj. Tony Williams, GLWACH command sergeant major, and "JAG as a Force Multiplier: Looking at the Role of an Investigation Officer" presented by both Col. Robert Resnick, Staff Judge Advocate, and Maj. Jay Thoman, deputy SJA.
Retired Army Sgt. Maj. Richard Morris opened the seminar by also stressing the importance of the officer/noncommissioned officer relationship.
A discussion panel comprised of senior officers from various commands on Fort Leonard Wood answered questions and offered advice and guidance for the junior officers in attendance.
The panel consisted of Col. Jonathon Drushal, 3rd Chemical Brigade commander; Col. Marie Dominguez, GLWACH hospital commander; Col. David Kryszak, Dental Command commander; Col. Daniel Larsen, 1st Engineer Brigade commander; Col. Bryan Patridge, 14th Military Police Brigade commander; Col. Bjarne Iverson, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood chief of staff; Lt. Col. Jeff Britton, 193rd Brigade Support Battalion commander; and Chief Warrant Officer 5 Scott Owens, U.S. Army Engineer School regimental chief warrant officer.
Panelist took turns providing insight and sharing personal experiences with those present.
"You should use your mentors, you should use NCOs in your command or outside your chain of command, and get their advice -- plan out what you think your career in the Army looks like," Iverson advised the junior officers. "That's not about you, that's not about making rank, it's about doing what you want to do in the Army."
Offering a unique prospective on the different issues that affect warrant officers, Owens spoke to the changes that he?'s seen.
"The first thing you are is a Soldier, then you're a leader, and then you're a technician," Owens said. "As warrant officers we?'ve significantly changed our brand. We are commanders' assets."
This annual seminar is aimed at fostering relationships between junior officers, from second lieutenant, first lieutenant and captain; to warrant officer and chief warrant officer two.
For more information on the Junior Officer Council or the activities they have to offer, call 596.0512.
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