The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick Sexual Harassment/Assessment Response and Prevention Office observed Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month by hosting multiple out-of-the-classroom educational opportunities on post in April.
The SHARP team kicked the month off by setting up informational booths that alternated between the Commissary and Post Exchange Monday through Thursday during the first week of the month. It also hosted its SHARP challenge April 16 and a walk/run April 25 where SHARP staff also provided SAAP information to participants.
Mark Minter, SHARP program manager, said that the objective was "to bring awareness to the issue of sexual assault and harassment in our military."
Minter added that in addition to increasing awareness they wanted learning to be fun. For example, the SHARP challenge allowed participants to get SAAP information outside of the classroom while incorporating some physical fitness in an environment that welcomed camaraderie.
Six teams of six vied for first place in the SHARP Challenge. The teams competed in six games: bullseye, corn hole toss, nuts and bolt, "SHARP Shooter," soccer goal and beer-goggle relay. The competing teams represented the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment USAMRMC, 302nd Signal Brigade, 6th Medical Logistics Management Center, 53rd Signal Company A, Navy Medical Logistics Command and U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, which had two teams.
With a winning team completion time of 15 minutes and 55 seconds, the HHD USAMRMC and 302nd Signal Brigade team took home first place along with the SHARP trophy and champion belt.
The HHD USAMRMC and 302nd SIG BN team members included:
• Spc. David Aidoo, HHD
• Staff Sgt. Dion Bratcher, HHD
• Maj. Karmon Dyches, HHD
• Spc. Jose Jimenez, 302nd SIG BN
• Spc. Kyle Johnson, 302nd SIG BN
• Sgt. Michael Rutland, 302nd SIG BN
For many, Minter accomplished his goal, which was for participants to leave more aware and have fun while they increased their awareness of sexual assault and harassment in the military. And for some, not only did the event increase their SAAP knowledge, but it also increased their interest in finding other events on post to participate in.
Jimenez, who was recruited by Johnson, said meeting and interacting with the SHARP team, building esprit de corps with others Soldiers and breaking up the monotony of classroom training were all positives of participating in the SHARP Challenge.
Johnson agreed with Jimenez and added that the challenge also helped him to learn new information and strengthen his current SHARP knowledge.
Both Jimenez and Johnson said that after being stumped by a question pertaining to reporting channels for civilians versus military members during the challenge, they now know the difference. They also agreed that they are looking forward to competing next year to defend their title and encourage people to come out next year because it's "definitely fun."
The week following the challenge, the SHARP team wrapped up the month with a run/walk. More than 130 people, from around the post, supported the event. They took a combined total of 639,665 steps:
• HQ USAMRMC: 165,338 steps
• USAMRIID: 132,364 steps
• U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity: 105,408 steps
• 21st Signal Brigade: 67,767 steps
• 6th MLMC: 65,359 steps
• USAG: 41,883 steps
• U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency: 34,194 steps
• Dental Activity/Barquist Army Health Clinic: 14,032 steps
• NMLC: 6,660 steps
• U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity: 6,660 steps
"This was a successful event," said Minter. "There was a lot of competition because everyone wanted the trophy."
Minter added that there were various displays and giveaways used to reinforce the Army's Policy on sexual assault.
"I believe this event had a three-fold positive aspect: support of the SHARP Program, unit cohesion and exercise--staying healthy for a good cause," said Minter.
For more information about the Army's SHARP program, go to www.preventsexualassault.army.mil/.
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