A new, quarterly four-day onboarding course for Fort Leonard Wood's newest civilian employees was tested Dec. 9 to 12, providing personal and professional competency training and organization and mission linkage.
According to Vince Carlton, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood Work Force Development specialist and coordinator of the course, the new format is meant to give employees a head start into their roles here.
"My mission is to take some of the pressure off the supervisors," Carlton said.
The course includes required annual face-to-face trainings -- such as Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention and Threat Awareness and Reporting Program -- as well as introductions to the Defense Performance Management and Appraisal System and Individual Development Plan websites.
Also interspersed into the four days were courses covering topics such as wellness and financial planning.
Carlton said the pilot "went exceptionally well."
"The pre-planning and coordination leading up to the delivery paid huge dividends," he added. "The attendees participated and asked very good questions, and the feedback we got was very positive. All in all, I am extremely pleased."
Carlton said attendees were very helpful in pointing out areas of needed improvement. One item mentioned was to have the training sooner upon arrival.
"We are working on shoring up the timing issues," Carlton said.
The pilot course had 13 attendees -- a mix of seasoned military veterans and some starting their first professional careers.
"It was really useful information," said Zach Milbradt, a 25-year-old mechanical engineer with the Directorate of Public Works. "One piece that stands out in my mind is the financial planning because it's not something I've had. I wish (this course) would have been earlier, but I understand they can't always have this set up for people because they're always hiring new people. It's just really nice to have a resource that shows that they want to help us succeed."
According to Marti Yoshida, Fort Leonard Wood OPSEC program manager, getting in annual trainings early makes sense.
"It was great having the chance to meet with these new employees," Yoshida said. "The training was personable, timely and direct. It is important to build awareness in the very beginning in order to prevent costly mistakes or embarrassment. Overall, the opportunity to meet with new employees early on sets them, their unit and Fort Leonard Wood up for success."
The next course is scheduled for March 16 to 19, and is open to all organizations on the post.
"I recommend all new Army civilian employees and any employee who's simply new to Fort Leonard Wood attend this course," Carlton said. "There is something beneficial to all civilian employees."
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