FORT MEADE, Md. (June 3, 2009) -- This year's Army Strong Experience reached its apex today with a keynote address by Secretary of the Army Pete Geren.
Geren spoke at a barbecue dinner held here for civilians engaged in the four-day event which provides a taste of the opportunities offered by Army service.
"You're going home a little Army stronger than you came," Geren said.
About 35 business, government, media, and academic leaders from across the country came out for the event that began Monday and concludes Thursday.
Participants viewed military working dog demonstrations, shot targets with shotguns, and tested their aim on the post's range with 9 mm pistols. Some even skydived.
Reaching out to the participants helps spread the word about opportunities in the service, said Col. John Fenzel, commander of the Army Accessions Support Brigade at Fort Knox, Ky., which organized the event.
The opportunity to skydive with members of the famed U.S. Army Parachute Team, The Golden Knights, was described as the highlight of the experience by multiple participants, including Reggie McGahee, dean of admissions at Howard University School of Law. McGahee completed a tandem jump while strapped to a Golden Knight from a UV-18A Twin Otter plane, landing on Fort Meade's McGlachlin Parade Field.
"I never felt safer in my life than to be in the hands of the Golden Knights 10,000 feet in the air," the 32-year-old said. "It's truly one of those life-altering moments."
While the experiences were memorable for Jim Klein, who works in real estate in Los Angeles, the best part was talking to the Soldiers, who ranked from younger enlisted men and women to colonels and generals.
"My biggest take-home is the quality and the intelligence of the personnel," he said. "There's such a positive vibe or atmosphere they give off."
That improved understanding of what a Soldier's life is like is something Army leaders hope guests will share when they return home.
"I hope, more than anything else, you go home and say, "I've been with some remarkable people," Geren said.
Hosting the Army Strong Experience at Fort Meade took roughly six months of planning and incorporated lessons from its inaugural event, held in April 2008 at Fort Benning, Ga., Fenzel said.
"We learned a lot about the coordination it takes to bring people in from across the country," he said.
The Army's tentative goal is to begin hosting Army Strong twice a year at military posts nationwide, Fenzel said.
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