Fort Leonard Wood hosts Ready, Resilient Orientation Course

By Ms. Dawn M Arden (Leonard Wood)September 30, 2014

A Ready and Resilient Orientation Course for brigade and battalion level leadership, sponsored by the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, was held Sept. 16 in Thurman Hall.

The event presented attendees with the tools to inform and educate Soldiers, Families and Army civilians about the Army's Ready and Resilient Campaign programs.

Leaders were also introduced to services available on post for use in providing them with a higher quality of life and create a place they can feel safe and at home.

"The Chief of Staff of the Army noticed a gap in leaders' knowledge of programs that the Garrison offers, because of the numerous years at war," said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hatfield, Garrison Command sergeant major. "He mandated that the garrisons do a brief overview of each program that provides resiliency to leaders -- closing the knowledge gap.

Course director Teresa Sloan, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, said she hopes that those who attended the course now have a better understanding of the location, capabilities and specific points of contact for the services that were presented.

"This (course) will allow the leaders to be better prepared to command and support their units," Sloan said.

Lt. Col. Chad Goyette, 92nd Military Police Battalion commander, said he feels the program is an important part of caring for his Soldiers.

"This program prepares commanders and command sergeants major to direct Soldiers in need of support to the correct agencies. First thing I did when I returned from the training was to identify where my organization was delinquent and directed corrective action," Goyette said. "I also ensured these requirements are merged into our battalion and company inprocessing programs, to include capturing the completed training in DTMS."

Hatfield said learning is key to building resiliency.

"I'm always encouraged when we close the knowledge gap across the installation and build resiliency," Hatfield said. "Each leader took something away that they didn't know before class."

Goyette added, that to him, being ready and resilient means being prepared and able to cope with situations in and out of combat.

"Ready and Resilient equals Soldiers who are prepared to deploy when our nation calls; armed with a resiliency through well developed coping mechanisms that prepare them to deal with crisis and personal struggles both in combat and non-combat environments," Goyette said.

Topics covered during the day-long course were new sponsorship rules, Child Youth Services, transitioning with Soldier For Life, Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, Master Resiliency Training, Soldier and Family Assistance Center, Warriors in Transition and Integrated Disability Evaluation System, Exceptional Family Member Program, Survivor Outreach Program, Army Substance Abuse Program, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, Embedded Behavioral Health, Strong Bonds, Community Health Promotion Council, Suicide Prevention, Warrior Adventure Quest, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, Army Intramural Sports Program, First Sergeants Barracks Program, Range and training area management, Performance Triad and Army Continuing Education.

"I believe in this course and understand the capabilities gaps that the CSA is trying to get after," Hatfield said. "This class helps ensure all leaders understand the valuable programs we have on the installation and how we assist each Soldier, Family member and civilian to build resiliency in their lives."

For those who missed the opportunity to attend, Sloan said there is another course scheduled for April 20, 2015. She added that they are planning to make the course a semi-annual event.

Related Links:

Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON Newspaper

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood