FORT BENNING, Ga., (March 16 2016) -- Army Family Team Building is on a mission to make sure that spouses are ready to lead.
Spouses looking to take on future leadership roles within the Army came together Feb. 29-March 4 for a five-day seminar to further their knowledge of the Army as well as gain leadership skills that will support them in future leadership roles.
Seminar sessions included an array of topics from social event protocol, community resources, team building, conflict resolution and stress management. As part of the seminar, spouses also spent a day learning about how to be Family readiness group leaders.
"It's really important for spouses to be involved with this primarily because it gives them the basic leadership skills for going into leadership roles within the Army," said Jane Bresko, Army Family Team Building and Army Family Action Program manager.
Participant Jodi Throckmorton thought she knew a lot about the Army from her husband, but this course showed her the vast resources available in the Army.
"A lot of people assume their situation is so unique that there are no resources for them, but the Army is rich with resources and it's just a matter of making that connection, and this class helps make those connections," said Throckmorton.
The curriculum for the seminar is a combination of AFTB training levels constructed to help spouses become leaders in the military community. The levels included in this seminar were level K, which taught participants military knowledge, level G, which focuses on personal growth, and development and level L, which provided the leadership development necessary for successful leadership.
Additionally, the course featured several special guests including Maj. Gen. Scott Miller, commanding general of MCoE, Col. Patrick Donahoe, MCoE chief of staff and Col. Andrew Hilmes, garrison commander, and MCoE Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Metheny, who took time to welcome the spouses and provide their insights.
"He (Miller) was very outgoing and down to earth during his visit and took the time to answer everyone's questions while offering some valuable insight into different career paths in the military. What really stuck out to me during his visit was that he took the time to thank us, as spouses, for supporting our husbands during their time in the Army," said Anne-Marie Minor.
Participants also got to visit with a panel of executive senior spouses who offered their words of wisdom to the group from their years of experience in the Army.
Child care is provided for all participants and the seminar is no-cost to attend. If you are interested in participating in the next bimonthly seminar April 25-29, email Jane Bresko at jane.e.bresko.civ@mail.mil or call the AFTB office at 706-545-2794.
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