Garrison Soldiers attend stand-down training

By Pfc. Kim, Tae HoonMay 11, 2009

Garrison Soldiers attend stand down training
Sgt. Nam, Kwanghyunk, USAG-RC HHC Senior KATUSA, (right) explains backgrounds of Korean culture and specifics of different cultural manners such as communication, social gathering and funerals. This was one of 10 topics which were covered in 'Stand D... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

RED CLOUD GARRISON - Stand-down for Standards training for Soldiers assigned to Area 1 took place April 25 at the USAG-Red Cloud Education Center and USAG-Casey Theater.

The training contained a variety of issues: cultural awareness, Army core values, and sexual awareness, which were taught by a senior leader from each company.

Col. Larry 'Pepper' Jackson, USAG-RC commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Earlene Lavender, USAG-RC Command Sgt. Maj., made opening remarks at Red Cloud.

Stand down for Soldiers was conducted as a part of a mandatory peninsula-wide training. Every Soldier across the peninsula was required to participate in this four- hour training by order of Gen. Walter Sharp, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea Command commander, in order to correct the rising number of incidents of indiscipline, i.e., assaults, thefts, or prostitution.

Incidents rose since Sharp shortened the weekend curfew hours from 1 to 5 a.m. to 3 to 5 a.m. For this reason, he placed all USFK troops under temporary curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, April 24 and scheduled the training for the next morning.

Training began with discussions of recent issues giving the U.S. Army a bad image as told by the Soldiers.

Cpt. Yun, Song Han, USAG-RC Headquarter, Headquarter Company commander, asked each Soldier for maximum participation.

"That's how we get all the negative images and that's what we are trying to prevent," Han said after listening to the discussion. "Sharp is trying to give us safety briefs as well as a cultural awareness lessons."

Han also talked about the way to prevent indiscipline; stressing leadership responsibility is one of the most important things. He pointed out everyone could be a leader and is obligated to correct other Soldier's misbehavior, one way or another.

"You should act like a leader," he said.

The commander's instruction was followed by a series of subjects: Service Components, Core Values, Understanding Korean Culture, Sexual Assault Prevention and Customs and Courtesies. These were basic topics already covered in basic training or sergeant's time training.

Soldiers were reminded of basics such as what 'LDRSHIP' stands for: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

Cultural awareness was covered by encouraging participants to learn the history of Korean culture and cultural manners: communication, social gathering, and funerals. Korea Augmentation to the United States Army soldiers provided some hands-on demonstrations for U.S. Soldiers to gain a better understanding.

"I enjoyed the class from our senior KATUSA on Korean culture," said Pfc. Andrew Anderson, USAG-RC HHC. "Since we are in Korea, it is important to know what is acceptable and what is not. We don't want to offend anybody."

Cpl. Shin, Jin Soo, USAG-RC HHD Senior KATUSA, said the training was good and well organized. "Although the class was long and detailed, it was a good opportunity to remember our discipline as Soldiers, not to mention all the basic training."