The Professional Women's Rendezvous (PWR), a mentorship program, inspired, encouraged and provided structured counseling sessions for more than 20 military women leaders from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, in Washington D.C., from 28-31 March.
"The mentorship program's mission is to create an environment within 1BCT that fosters encouragement, mentorship, camaraderie and the support of fellow women leaders within the organization," said Capt. Bridget Day, a soldier assigned to 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. and coordinator for PWR.
"Developing our leaders is one of the most important attributes to the leadership requirements and I think we are recreating a successful program with PWR," said Day.
Leadership Development, according to Army Field Manual 6-22, is defined as creating a positive environment, fostering esprit de corps, and also developing one's self as well as developing others.
The conference in D.C. was focused on building a network of women who are inspired to successfully navigate through the Army community by fostering relationships with future leaders.
"The themes captured the spirit of many of the young leaders in the conference," said Day. "It has encouraged women to work together, to achieve gender equality, build relationship among each other and learn to balance their personal life and their professional careers."
Maj. Gen. Richard D. Clarke, commanding general of the 82nd Abn. Div., said leader development is the most important activity a soldier can do for their profession, the Army and the nation.
The staff ride began with a leadership social event at the Old Ebbitt Grill in the heart of our Nation's capital with a panel of guest speakers.
Brig. Gen. Patricia Frost, the Deputy Commanding General for operations of the Army Cyber Command, spoke to some of the young leaders during the conference and highlighted achievements of women who have charted a path for continued progress in their respective military careers.
During the social, Frost also discussed her military career and how she balances her career and personal life.
"Access to professional women who can provide career guidance and insights on unique issues that women face, helps to build a strong core of support that will empower women to be strong leaders," said 2nd Lt. Tuyen Truong, a Soldier in 1BCT.
Day said leader development is achieved through a mixture of the knowledge, skills and experiences gained through life experiences and from the opportunities that arise.
"The mentorship that we are receiving here is priceless," said Truong. "To see that women before us have done these great things that we can do one day and is not unattainable, it's amazing."
The rendezvous provided many great speakers on various topics of leadership, but it also offered an opportunity for the ladies to build relationships among themselves, get to know each other and tour the Nation's Capital.
After a brief tour of Capital Hill, the group was presented with a life-time opportunity by touring the Pentagon and having a round table discussion with some of the Army's top women generals.
As day two came to an end, the ladies of PWR decided to trade their business attire for a more relaxed look and end the night at Capital City Brewing venue, where they had the privilege to dine with Col. Aimee Kominiak, the Military Assistant to the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.
Kominiak talked about her accomplishments during her career and army life lessons she experienced.
"Be yourself, whoever you are," said Kominiak. "If you are not yourself, people will see right through that and call you out."
The third day started out with a powerful round table panel. The PWR participants attended a question and answer session in Virginia with members from the Association of the United States Army which included the Honorable Gina Farrisee, Assistant Secretary, Lt. Gen. (R) Kathy K. Gainey, Brig. Gen. (R) Kristin French, and Command Sgt. Maj. (R) Tracey Anbiya.
Gainey explained that it's important to listen when others speak and that it is imperative to know your craft. She stressed that the ultimate goal should be to become the subject matter expert and to share that knowledge with others.
"Don't just talk because you can…talk because you should," said Gainey. "When you talk, everyone should listen."
Day said that conferences like PWR provide women with a safe space to access support, to learn from mentors and tap into a knowledge base that has already been created.
"As we integrate women further into our formations, it is important to create conditions for them to engage with each other for support and mentorship," said Gainey.
The United States Army Combined Arms Center outlines in Army Doctrine Publication 6-22 that enduring themes of Army leadership include: providing techniques to improve interpersonal skills through influence; and counseling, coaching and mentorship are vital to leader development.
"The mentor-protégé relationship facilitates competency and self-worth through role modeling and open conversations," said Day. "We need more panels like this that inspire and motivate young women in today's military."
Additionally, the publication explains that one of the foundations of Army leadership is leadership, encouragement and team trust.
"Leadership development is a steward of our profession in all our women in service," said Gainey. "A lot of opportunities were closed to women in the earlier years," Gainey continued. "Today those jobs are open and women will continue to excel in different jobs."
When asked to identify the most meaningful aspect of the conference, Lt. Gloria Goldman, a platoon leader with 2-501PIR, commented on how meeting successful women in the military allowed her to realize that she has a support system.
Goldman said the conference was a means to bring people to share their stories of struggle towards empowerment, but what it really achieved was a place of security and camaraderie.
"Breaking myths, creating support for each other and having that mentorship was the success of the staff ride," said Goldman.
Day said she would like to see the mentorship program grow and become more successful in the brigade.
"I see a bright future for us in the military," said Gainey. "I see us as part of a team and looked at as an equal."
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