FORT RUCKER, Ala. (August 8, 2013) -- Hundreds of people were treated to a Broadway-style spectacle performed by some of the Army's most talented Soldiers in a performance that had the audience singing and dancing along.
The 2013 U.S. Army Soldier Show put on a production at the Enterprise High School Performing Arts Center Aug. 2-3 that showcased what it's like to be a Soldier in today's Army, while reminding those in military life to remain "Ready and Resilient," which was the theme of the performance.
"This year's production explores what it means to be 'Ready and Resilient' in today's Army -- as a Soldier, spouse, Family member, survivor, retiree and civilian," read the Soldier Show pamphlet. "Readiness is the ability to accomplish assigned tasks through resilience, individual collective training and leadership."
"We're bringing Soldiers back from downrange left and right, and we now have more Soldiers that are home with their Families," said Sgt. Drake Delucca, visual media manager for the Soldier Show. "We have to maintain that readiness for when the nation needs us."
The Army's lessons were spaced out sparingly throughout the show with soulful songs and eye-popping performances that had the audience captivated.
"I was just amazed by the production," said Jeremiah Scott, Enterprise native. "I can't believe these aren't professional performers from the caliber of the show. It really opens your eyes and gives you a glimpse of Army life.
"I know it can't completely convey what it's like to be in the military, but it really hit on my emotions," he explained. "Listening to the Soldiers sing the songs and perform just made it that much more personal, and it really hit home."
Some were even brought to tears by the performances.
"The show really hit me on a personal note," said Susie Iron, military Family member. "Most of my Family has served in the military and to see the life that a military Family has to go through in a show was just amazing.
"I couldn't believe the amount of heart and soul they put in their performance, but it wasn't just acting for them because they are real Soldiers that are performing," she said. "This is the life that they actually lead, so for them, this was real and I couldn't be more proud to be an American."
The show featured songs from the most popular hits of today, to old classics, to even Disney classics, but they weren't there just to entertain -- they were performed to convey a message.
One of the stronger messages that the show conveyed was the message of sexual harassment and assault, which it tackled with Aretha Franklin's classic song "Think," during which a male Soldier approaches a female Soldier with inappropriate advances, to which the female Soldier promptly told to Soldier to "think" before bursting into song.
Sexual harassment is something the Army has been battling with for many years and has even tackled with its Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program.
"We all undergo training so we can combat sexual harassment and assault amongst the ranks, and the Army is attacking that like no other place in corporate America," said Delucca. "It's all about every Soldier's accountability, and when we represent that in the show, you've never seen SHARP be that entertaining."
Iron agreed.
"I thought this was a clever way for the Army to tackle situations like this," said Iron. "Like the song said, it really does make you think because it's a problem, not just in the military, but in everyday life, and I'm glad to know that our Army isn't just ignoring it or sweeping it under the rug."
Although it was important for the Army to convey a message with its performance, there was also plenty of high-energy entertainment and fun, and a lot of that was displayed as the Soldiers performed their set from Disney classics ranging from "Hercules," to "The Little Mermaid" to "Mary Poppins."
For most, the Soldier show had the feel of a big-budget production and, according to Delucca, the performance is treated as such.
"Every year we go around and find all the most talented (Soldiers) that are in the Army … and those who make it through selection, we create a show around -- a big professional show," he said. "The Soldiers build the set themselves, they do the show, and then they tear it down, pack it in the trucks and go on to the next place."
Performing in the show gives many Soldiers a sense of accomplishment because it's not just about performing; it's about educating, said Spc. Marvin Forbes, Soldier Show performer from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
"Being here I do feel like I am doing just as much good for our country as I would (if I were deployed) because I'm boosting morale of our Soldiers, and that is the backbone of what we do," he said. "I get to share a message with people, and people come up to me all the time and tell me how they felt about it and what it did for them, and that's just a great feeling -- it's just been an amazing experience."
The show was sponsored by SHARP, BOSS and Sprint.
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