WIESBADEN, Germany - A new 66th Military Intelligence Brigade initiative is aimed at helping people learn various life skills earlier in their careers, rather than later by trial and error, according to Col. Dave Pendall, 66th MI Brigade commander.
"It's really about family life and family life skills," said Pendall. "We all have different challenges … and there are different stressors over here in Germany."
The brigade's new Life Skills University -- a yearlong program for Soldiers, family members and civilians -- is geared toward enhancing life skills.
"It's open to anyone in the brigade," the commander said, explaining that often people get caught up in their careers, especially in their 20s and 30s, and don't adequately learn basic family skills such as relating to teenagers, coping with an aging parent or knowing how to fully communicate with a spouse until they are well into their careers and family growth.
"It's about coping strategies that allow them to be more confident and competent," Pendall said, adding that the program is intended to expose younger leaders to the various resources available in the community and to provide first-hand advice from experienced colleagues in the unit. "We're trying in the brigade to leverage these resources and to focus on a specific demographic that can use these life skills."
"It's all about mentorship," said 66th MI Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Shrout. Rather than focusing on military mission teaching, Soldiers will be "getting after the personal side of things."
"We want Soldiers to know it's OK to have a family," said Pendall. "This is designed to accelerate their life skills, rather than having them learn about family life by trial and error. It's peers sharing best practices -- what worked for them."
The Life Skills University kicks off with an open house Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. at Hainerberg Elementary School's multipurpose room. Representatives from Army Community Service, the Military and Family Life Counseling Program and other agencies will be on hand to introduce their various services and resources. Follow-up programs will be offered throughout the year, based on local interest and needs.
"It's really part of the Army's Ready and Resilient Campaign," said Pendall. "It's about balance -- helping people be more effective in their lives."
Designed to be "low stress and not mandatory," the Life Skills University is modeled on similar U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command programs in the United States, Pendall said. "We wanted to get something here to help our young professionals trying to balance family life with their work at a relatively early stage in their careers."
Members of the brigade family are invited to "show up on Oct. 23 to enjoy the fair-like atmosphere," said Brigade Chaplain (Maj.) Troy Morken. "They might find that not only can they improve their own life skills, but maybe help someone else as well."
For more information about the 66th MI Brigade's Life Skills University, call Chaplain Morken at mil 546-4504 or civ (0611) 143-546-4504.
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