Spouses get the drill

By Caroloyn EricksonApril 23, 2009

Spouses get the drill
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Spouses get the drill
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FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo., - Dozens of spouses and family members learned what their Soldier does at work on a daily basis during the Drill Sergeant Spouse Seminar, last week.

"Drill sergeants are working wicked hard hours," said Maj. Gen. Gregg Martin, Maneuver Support Center and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general. "This program was designed to give you all a better idea of what the drill sergeant does."

Martin's wife explained how the program improves understanding in marriages.

"For you guys to understand what your spouse does is like if your spouse has to watch the kids for three days while you are gone," said Maggie Martin. "It's that understanding that is just so important and it makes for strong marriages."

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hayes, Maneuver Support Center and Fort Leonard Wood, thanked the spouses for coming.

"(This) is one population we cannot make do anything on post," Hayes said. "It shows how much you care about your spouse and how much you care about your country (that you came).

"This seminar is designed to empower and equip you," Hayes said to the spouses, "so you know what is going on ... and get an idea of what it is like."

Hayes shared a recent suicide statistic and how the Drill Sergeant Spouse Seminar could have a positive impact.

"Last month, more Soldiers were killed by suicide than in Iraq and Afghanistan combined," Hayes said. "The number one cause is failed relationships. When you have a high-stress job, problems get magnified. We want to equip you to alleviate stress."

Itzy Rolzhouse, a drill sergeant spouse, shared how the training helps spouses.

"We have to be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared, so when they're home, we can support them," Rolzhouse said.

The spouses met Friday night and Saturday morning through early afternoon. The training included classroom instruction as well as hands-on events designed to give spouses greater understanding.

Drill sergeants and Army Community Service representatives briefed the spouses Friday evening. Staff Sgt. Leslie Ledding, 2008 Fort Leonard Wood Drill Sergeant of the Year, gave a talk about a typical drill sergeant's day.

Spouses also learned about the "Five Love Languages," survival skills for dealing with stress, and expectations and the impact of the military mission on family life.

Saturday morning, several drill sergeants joined their spouses and children for a tour of key drill sergeant events. The families walked through a barracks, visited a range to see training, tried their hand at firing weapons on the Engagement Skills Trainer, ate at a dining facility, visited parts of the Physical Endurance Confidence Course, and had a final panel discussion before graduating the training.

"I just wanted to get a feeling of what he did on the trail," said Shameka Williams, drill sergeant spouse. "We're really getting a feeling of what they go through. I have so much more respect for him and his job now."

Another spouse shared her view of the program.

"The whole thing overall is wonderful," said Wanda Barrett. "I love it. It has opened my eyes totally.

"It helps you as a spouse to be more relaxed," Barrett continued. "Now I feel like I should do a little bit more. I want to make his life easier with the pressures he's already under. I don't need him to stress about home - his job is stressful enough."

Barrett encouraged other drill sergeant spouses to make the time to come to the training.

"There is no Friday or Saturday that's more important than this right now," Barrett said. "I would encourage women to bring their teenagers with them."

Barrett shared how her son learned from the course and wanted to be more considerate of his stepfather. She said that her son understanding her spouses' job would take the pressure off of him so he doesn't worry, 'I'm not there for my children.'

Olga Hayes, who invented the program, shared how the seminar helps improve family.

"The more I interact with the Army, the more I can interact with my husband," Olga Hayes said. "That's bringing the family together."

The program has been such as success that it is being replicated on other posts.

"This is a fantastic program," said Maggie Martin, "Because of (Olga Hayes') persistence, this program has gone up to Training and Doctrine Command and is being disseminated across TRADOC."

Olga Hayes had a message for the drill sergeant spouses who attended the program.

"This is the way the Army is showing that we care about you," she said.