MSCoE hosts Sisters-in-Arms seminar

By Ms. Dawn M Arden (Leonard Wood)May 15, 2014

MSCoE hosts Sisters-in-Arms seminar
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Promoting mentorship and empowering junior female officers, noncommissioned officers and Soldiers were the goals of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Sisters-in-Arms seminar that was hosted by the 35th Engineer Battalion May 6.

The SIA program was modeled according to a Fort Bliss, Texas, Army best-practice initiative that set such programs in motion across several installations.

"The aim of the program is to provide a positive forum to discuss issues that are unique to the female population, as well as issues that affect all Soldiers," said Lt. Col. Teresa Schlosser, 169th Engineer Battalion commander. "Sisters-in-Arms is simply another avenue for professional development; it's not intended to replace or circumvent any chain of command, but to give another option for advice and guidance."

Topics covered during the seminar were career advancement, finding balance in life, flourishing in challenging times and selecting, using and being a mentor.

Guest speaker, Maj. Gen. Marcia Anderson, Army Reserve acting assistant chief and deputy chief, challenged the group to share what they learned during the seminar with their daughters, sisters, friends and nieces.

"It's not just about you in the military; there are women out there in all walks of life, in all industries," Anderson said.

"While we have come a long way, we still have a long way to go. It's important for us to share what we have in terms of knowledge with our sisters here in the military but also outside in other areas, as well."

Schlosser said she has received some very enthusiastic feedback from the Soldiers and leaders who attended the seminar.

"They were really excited about the prospect of having had the opportunity to meet and talk with senior females from across Fort Leonard Wood and the Army," Schlosser said.

"One of the things many of the Soldiers noted was that finding a senior female is tough enough and approaching one they didn't know was a bridge too far. By making ourselves available, the senior females have opened the door for our junior leaders to come to us for professional advice," she added.

Capt. Stephanie Pfeiffer, 795th Military Police Battalion, said she was thankful for the different resources she received during the seminar that will help her influence change in positive ways.

"I've had a lot of experiences in my Army career that have shown me how important it is for women to come together, share their experiences and lessons learned, talk about the future and how they can grow as individuals and also," Pfeiffer said.

Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Terrence Murphy, MSCoE command sergeant major, welcomed the women to the seminar.

Both said that they are planning to conduct a seminar for men and a combined women's and men's seminar.

Related Links:

Fort Leonard Wood on Flickr

Fort Leonard Wood Guidon Newspaper

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonad Wood