Sea Dragons Go All In with ASIST

By Maj. Troy FreyApril 20, 2016

Sea Dragons Go All In with ASIST
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - The 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command's ready and resilient team (RT2) hosted an applied suicide intervention skills training for trainers (ASIST T4T) five-day workshop at Schofield Barracks, 4-8 April. Soldiers f... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR - HICKAM, Hawaii- The 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command's ready and resilient team (RT2) hosted an applied suicide intervention skills training for trainers (ASIST T4T) five-day workshop at Schofield Barracks, 4-8 April.

According to Living Works Education, the suicide intervention training company which designed ASIST, the ASIST T4T workshop helps participants begin learning how to effectively present the two-day ASIST workshop and bring life-saving intervention skills to their own organizations and communities.

"At the 94th we only had three personnel certified to conduct the normal ASIST training - with two of the trainers set to leave this summer, we were forced to make a decision. We could either let the program [end] in the 94th or create a sustainable pool of trainers that will ensure the program continues on," explained Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Seppala, the 94th AAMDC senior religious affairs noncommissioned officer-in-charge. "We chose the latter and will continue to ensure that members of the 94th are prepared to intervene during a suicidal situation."

Participants included 94th AAMDC Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment; 14th Missile Defense Battery; Task Force Talon; 94th AAMDC Headquarters and Headquarters Battery; as well as Soldiers from U.S. Army Pacific headquarters; 25th Infantry Division; 8th Theater Sustainment Command; and 18th Medical Command.

The ASIST T4T course teaches new trainers to present the material through a combination of - lecturing, facilitating discussion, Socratic questioning and role-playing. This teaching style increases audience participation and helps participants to better retain the skills and information that they learn during the workshop.

"I think the most innovative aspect was that it breaks down different methods of teaching and makes sure to disperse them throughout the training," said 1st Lt. Gabrielle Talley, personnel officer, 94th AAMDC personnel section (G-1). "For example, they only have two long lecture blocks that are broken up by several mini lessons, videos, practice scenarios, and group projects."

Upon completion of the T4T course attendees are considered provisional trainers. In order to become registered trainers they must present a minimum of three ASIST workshops within a year and show that they have mastered all of the content. It takes a minimum of two trainers and not more than four to present an ASIST workshop. After this, they must teach at least one workshop per year to maintain registered status.

"The next step is to get the new trainers some experience," said Seppala, who attended the training in 2009 while stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. "As an experienced ASIST trainer, I will be either co-training or observing their first workshops to help them ... my intent is to have a roster of trainers that can conduct ASIST on a rotational basis. This will allow more opportunities for Soldiers to receive this training and allow the new trainers to progress in the trainer hierarchy."

The 94th AAMDC commander, Brig. Gen. Eric L. Sanchez, has made the readiness and resiliency of the Sea Dragon Soldiers a top priority throughout his tenure. Sanchez tasked the 94th AAMDC R2T to ensure that all 94th AAMDC Soldiers are ASIST trained. The R2T believed opening up the training to other commands would benefit the entire Army community.

"ASIST goes far beyond suicide intervention; it is a leadership development course. Attendees learn valuable interpersonal communication skills and conflict management," shared Seppala. "Furthermore, attendees can use the skills taught in ASIST in their personal lives as well as their professional lives.

"The truth is that everyone is at risk for suicide. The skills learned at ASIST may help you save the lives of Soldiers, Family members, even your buddy from high school that you haven't talked to in twenty years."

"I hope to take the training with me to my next unit and spread this awesome training to every duty station I go to," said Tally. "And if the need arises, I will definitely be prepared to use these skills to help someone at risk."

The 94th AAMDC is committed to ensuring that the Sea Dragon Soldiers, Civilians and Family members receive the best training available and have the tools to remain resilient in any situation and help others to do the same.

"Suicide infiltrates communities - be it the Army or a family," stated Tally. "This training teaches you that suicide affects so many people, but if we work together, we can help people who are considering suicide as an option."

"When it comes to resiliency of Soldiers and Family members we must be all in," shared Chaplain (Col.) Kenneth Revell, 94th AAMDC command chaplain. "There are no short cuts to taking care of the human domain."

More information about ASIST training can be found on the following websites http://www.army.mil/article/142033/ASIST/ or https://www.livingworks.net/programs/asist/ .