United States Division-South Command Sgt. Maj Jim Champagne, speaks with Soldiers of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade's Future Leader Course on Contingency Operating Base Adder April 15, 2010. The course gave Soldiers tools to prepare for the Army's ...
Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Barlow gives advice to a group of Soldiers during drill and ceremony class at the Future Leader Course on Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, April 15, 2010. The Future Leader course was created to prepare Soldiers for the Wa...
Noncommissioned officers lower-enlisted Soldiers of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade celebrated their graduation of the four-day Future Leader Course with a speech by United States Division - South Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne on Contingency Operating Base Adder, April 15, 2010.
The course, held by the 12th CAB, helps Soldiers prepare for the Army's Warrior Leader Course by holding classes on Army programs, leadership and drill and ceremony. The students in the class also go over personal leadership information, including leader's books and personal responsibility.
Master Sgt. Brian Beausoleil, the NCO in charge of information operations for the 412th Aviation Support Battalion, said that being a teacher is one of the more enjoyable parts of being an NCO and an FLC instructor.
"This is one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done," said Beausoleil, from Woonsocket, S.C. "I love teaching and the Soldiers are great. They really like to learn stuff. It breaks up the monotony a bit and it gives you a chance to do those things you usually don't get to do with the Soldiers."
The Soldiers began the last day of the course with a physical fitness session with 12th CAB's Command Sgt. Major David Perkins. After PT, the school performed drill and ceremony under the watch of Sgt. 1st Class David Barlow of the 412th ASB.
Next, the students returned to the classroom, recited the creed of the noncommissioned officer, and began classes on Army programs, the leader's book and other tools NCOs use to help Soldiers.
Spc. Ken Weilley of the 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment said that the course has allowed him to grow and shown him that he can learn from prior experience.
"There are a lot of things I might not have been willing to admit were intimidating to me before," said Weilley, a Newport News, Va. Resident. "But I've learned through this class, and now I have a good enough understanding and I'm not afraid to pursue that."
At the end of the course, the students were given a speech by Champagne. In his speech, he talked about the responsibilities of the noncommissioned officer.
"Leadership, to a certain extent, is something that comes naturally," Champagne said. "It's something you learn as you go. Everyone has the ability to be a leader. Everybody has the ability to inspire Soldiers; everybody has the ability to motivate Soldiers. But it's the techniques you use. So hopefully, today before you graduate, you'll add things to your kit bag to make you a better leader."
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