Best in class: 21st TSC Soldiers help students get the grade

By Ronna SchelbyJanuary 5, 2015

Best in class: 21st TSC Soldiers help students get the grade
Edgar Espadron (left) and David Zaryczny, students in Claudette Jones' class at Kaiserslautern High School, participate in a mentoring session with Sgt. 1st Class Justin D. Puls, the 21st Theater Sustainment Command's senior retention operations nonc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - What happens when you combine the top one percent of noncommissioned officers in the Army with local high school students? A combination of learning, inspiration, assistance, communication and excellence in mentoring.

Twice a week, members of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command's Sergeant Morales Club commit to mentoring students in Claudette Jones' high school class at Kaiserslautern High School on Vogelweh Military Complex.

"We are here to invest in these students, and thereby, invest in the future," said Sgt.1st Class, Justin D. Puls, the 21st TSC's senior retention operations noncommissioned officer, a native of Miami, and current leader of the Sergeant Morales Club.

The mentoring program falls under the "Adopt-A-School" partnership between the 21st TSC and Kaiserslautern High School, which began in November 2013. The aim is to provide opportunities for military leaders, Soldiers and volunteers to give back to the community.

Jones' class is an "Advanced Placement" language and composition college-level class. For one hour, thirty minutes three times per week, the high school participates in "Seminar" - a time outside of the core curriculum that is devoted to helping students. The students in her class range from grades 9-12.

"The students use this time to catch up on homework, retake a test or request extra help," said Jones.

It is during "Seminar" that Soldiers mentor the students.

"We are here to spread the knowledge of our experiences we have learned from serving in the military," said Sgt.1st Class Marcus Mitchell, 21st TSC's SMC president and a native of Bremerton, Washington. "Mentoring is a terrific way of giving back to the community. We are here to mentor these students as we do with all of our Soldiers - to show, by example, the embodiment of what it means to live by the NCO values."

Mentorship played an important part throughout Mitchell's life and career.

"My mentors saw the potential for greatness in me and gave me the opportunities to excel," said Mitchell. "Now I spend time with these students because I believe in them."

Jones is a fan of the mentoring program and says she has seen a vast improvement in the students who participate.

"Just having these Soldiers in the classroom makes the students feel more confident," she said.

The mentors also assist her in taking care of the students' needs.

"One teacher cannot help everyone," said Jones. "Kids sometimes need a person who is not their teacher. The mentors build a rapport with the students."

Even though Jones is a military spouse herself, not all teachers share the same background. Sometimes the students feel that the teacher does not understand the life of a military child," she explained.

Often there are issues in a student's personal life and they just have a need to talk.

"Sometimes we are just in the classroom to listen," said Mitchell. "In some cases, it's easier for a student to open up to an outsider.

But before that can happen, we must establish trust with the students. Trust is where it all starts."

That trust is earned by the mentors showing up weekly at the scheduled time.

"This not only builds trust, but it increases the potential of we mentors being a positive influence in these teenager's lives," said Mitchell.

Other members of the SMC express the same feeling with regards to the program.

"I believe in these students. It is a tremendous opportunity to be able to give back to the next generation and help by investing these values in these young leaders of tomorrow, just as we invest in our Soldiers," said Puls. "It's not just about the studies, but about being a role model for these students. We treat them as adults and expect them to tell us what they need."

David Zaryczny, a junior who meets with the mentors, said he feels very positive about these sessions. When first approached about the program, he resisted.

"I was stubborn at first, but when I got over that, I really began to appreciate the mentors." said Zaryczny. "When I'm having problems in school, it's sometimes easier to talk to one of these mentors. They are neutral about our issues and are only here to help us."

"These mentors really want to get to know you personally and are very approachable. And they don't do the work for you - they help you so you understand it and can do it yourself," he added.

"This is a win-win situation for everyone involved," said Puls. "We are just as enriched as the students. It is an honor to serve our community and give back to our future generation."

The Sergeant Morales Club, established in 1973 by Lt. Gen. George S. Blanchard, is the European version of the Audie Murphy Club in the U.S. The purpose of both clubs is to promote ideals of integrity, professionalism and leadership for enlisted Soldiers. Becoming a member of either of these clubs is a competitive and rigorous process.

"The Sergeant Morales Club not only develops leadership, it develops teams and ultimately communities," said Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney J. Rhoades, the TSC's senior enlisted leader. "Mentoring at Kaiserslautern High School is only one example of the great work Morales Club NCOs do throughout our communities. The Sergeant Morales Club is about improving our teams, units and installations as well as our young NCOs and our leaders of tomorrow. It's about making our community a better place."