Fort Belvoir, Va. (April 3, 2014) - Fort Belvoir Headquarters Battalion servicemembers took a tour of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. during a March 28 professional development event.

Eighteen Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company and the 212th Military Police Detachment, learned about Congress and how the Army works with the legislature.

It was a great experience for servicemembers of various ranks, according to Lt. Col. Brian Zarchin, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir HQ Bn., commander.

"I hope they learn about policymakers, how our Army legislative affairs interacts with them, and the important decisions made up here that affect their lives," Zarchin said.

HQ Bn. leaders sponsor at least one professional develop event each month. During past events, servicemembers toured Mount Vernon and the Army Museum Support Center.

The events are designed to broaden the participants' perspective, especially younger Soldiers, according to Maj. Geoffrey Earnhart, HQ Bn., operations manager. Some of the participants were junior enlisted or junior officers within the Army, he said.

Maj. Michael Poche, a U.S. House of Representatives Army congressional liaison, kicked off the event in his office by giving the Soldiers an overview of how Congress works. He said the legislative liaisons speak directly to lawmakers about the military's priorities.

Zarchin encouraged servicemembers to learn from Poche and to ask questions.

"We work for the people," Zarchin said to the group. "So this is where the representatives meet those who make laws that affect us. This is where it all happens."

Gabriella Libby, staff assistant for Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), gave the servicemembers a tour of the Capitol Building and provided background information on its history. She explained the significance of the paintings found in the rotunda as the Soldiers took photos, including one painting of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to North America. Libby gave servicemembers access to the House floor and talked about the electronic voting system installed there.

During lunch, Sgt. Maj. Tonia Walker, a House Army congressional liaison, spoke about her personal enjoyment in working at the Capitol.

"This is the best job that I have ever had," she said. "I've served in the military 26 years and this is the first time that I've served at the Pentagon. I've pretty much been with tactical units my entire career."

Walker encouraged the Soldiers to avoid distractions overseas and to do well on their physical fitness tests. She also said that servicemembers who would like to quickly move up in rank must take difficult assignments. She also urged the servicemembers to stay out of trouble because the Army is reducing its force in a tight budget environment.

"Do those assignments that nobody else wants to do," Walker said. "When you go into an assignment, go in with the attitude that you are going to make this place better than you found it."

The event was an eye-opening experience for everyone.

"I thought I knew how the Army worked with the government and I was wrong," Earnhart said. "There is a lot more to it than that."