Contracting units stand down to raise sexual assault awareness

By Daniel. P. Elkins, Mission and Installation Contracting Command Public Affairs OfficeApril 17, 2019

Contracting units stand down to raise sexual assault awareness
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Shirley Herwig reviews the agenda for a stand down training event April 10 with uniformed and civilian members from contracting activities on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as part of Sexual Assault and Prevention Awareness Month. He... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Contracting units stand down to raise sexual assault awareness
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Bill Boruff speaks on the need for instilling a culture of trust with uniformed and civilian members from contracting activities on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as part of a daylong training event recognizing Sexual Assa... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (April 17, 2019) -- The Army's commitment to eliminating sexual assault from its formations was the topic of a daylong stand down training event by members from contracting activities on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, April 11 as part of Sexual Assault and Prevention Awareness Month.

The stand down day supports an annual call by Army officials as well as a declaration by JBSA leaders in support of the awareness month. This year's theme for the Army is "Shaping a culture of trust. Protecting our people protects our mission."

Participating in the training were uniformed and civilian members of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command and the Army Contracting Command's 410th Contracting Support Brigade assigned to the installation.

Shirley Herwig, the MICC Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention manager, coordinated the day's events to ensure participants received updated guidance on all matters related to SHARP and Sexual Assault and Prevention Awareness Month.

"As the Army has increased the focused on prevention, there are other actions and behaviors intended to stop incidents before they happen, such as fostering a healthy organizational climate and instilling a strong culture based upon the Army Ethic and Army Values," Herwig said. "Imparting knowledge and developing skills are essential to tailor execution to meet the unique needs of our organizations. If you see something wrong, speak up and don't be a bystander."

Events that day included an overview of sexual assault and its impact on the Army, remarks by the MICC commanding general, and the exploration of individual learning styles. In the afternoon, participants heard from joint base professionals on suicide awareness and drug and alcohol abuse.

Many of those in attendance wore the color teal and blue jeans in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Herwig said teal is the official color for the monthly recognition and serves as an outward expression of support for sexual assault survivors and a visible protest against the myths and misconceptions surrounding the crime of sexual assault.

Brig. Gen. Bill Boruff, the MICC commanding general, set the tone up front during the day of training by stressing the command commitment toward this effort.

"Instilling an environment where sexual harassment and sexual assault is not tolerated builds a culture of trust that is imperative for the Army," Boruff said. "Whether you are in a leadership role, a supervisor or a bystander, we all must do our part and implement measures to build a climate that respects and protects the dignity of every team member."

About the MICC:

Headquartered at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the Mission and Installation Contracting Command consists of about 1,500 military and civilian members who are responsible for contracting goods and services in support of Soldiers as well as readying trained contracting units for the operating force and contingency environment when called upon. MICC contracts are vital in feeding more than 200,000 Soldiers every day, providing many daily base operations support services at installations, facilitate training in the preparation of more than 100,000 conventional force members annually, training more than 500,000 students each year, and maintaining more than 14.4 million acres of land and 170,000 structures.

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Mission and Installation Contracting Command

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