MSCoE, Fort Leonard Wood begin extremism stand down

By Tiffany Wood, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs OfficeMarch 10, 2021

MSCoE, Fort Leonard Wood begins extremism stand down
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Randolph Delapena (left); Maj. Gen. James Bonner, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general; and Brig. Gen. Charles Masaracchia, director of the Mission Command Center of Excellence at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., take part in a discussion on the Army Profession facilitated by Army Training and Doctrine Command senior leaders and staff. The training is a part of MSCoE’s extremism stand down taking place now through March 31. (Photo Credit: Photo by Tiffany Wood) VIEW ORIGINAL
MSCoE, Fort Leonard Wood begins extremism stand down
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood senior leaders take part in a discussion on the Army Profession facilitated by Training and Doctrine Command senior leaders and staff. The training is a part of MSCoE’s extremism stand down taking place now through March 31. (Photo Credit: Photo by Tiffany Wood) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood kicked off their extremism stand down this week with Army Profession training taking place now through March 31 as part of the Department of Defense and Army mandates.

According to Maj. Matthew Songe, MSCoE operations officer, the primary focus of the training, which is required for all Soldiers and DA civilians, is to address behaviors that affect unit cohesion and to “facilitate informative discussions among participants.”

“The main themes and messages of the training are the importance of the oath of office, policy related to extremism … impermissible behaviors, and how to identify, report and prevent extremism behavior,” Songe said. “Specific topics will cover sexual assault and harassment, racism, extremism and suicide prevention.”

To help make the training available to all Soldiers and DA civilians on post, Songe said MSCoE developed a plan using “multiple training events around the installation with maximum leader participation.”

The training began today as Army Training and Doctrine Command senior leaders and staff facilitated a discussion on the Army Profession with command teams and leaders.

Maj. Gen. James Bonner, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, attended TRADOC’s session and stressed the importance of the stand down.

“Along with our headquarters, we are re-training the entire team — military and civilian — in the values we have always held,” Bonner said. “DoD places the highest importance on treating every person with dignity and respect, in an inclusive environment, free from discrimination and extremism. Service members and civilians alike must report and reject any part of these activities. We are part of the world’s greatest profession and must hold ourselves to the highest standards of character and conduct.”

The next focused training is scheduled for March 11 and 12 when MSCoE Equal Opportunity advisors will conduct “train the trainer” events for unit Equal Opportunity advisors and senior leaders.

“These sessions are important because leaders will be involved in the Army Profession training — unit training is going to be conducted by leaders at all levels with oversight by senior leaders and organizational Equal Opportunity Advisors,” Songe said. “Leaders will go around their organizations as training is occurring and will help facilitate the discussions.”

Following the “train the trainer” sessions, units will conduct Army Profession training for their personnel. For units that do not have EOAs, training will be available:

— 9 to 11 a.m., March 22 at Lincoln Hall Auditorium;

— 1 to 3 p.m., March 23 at the Main Post Chapel;

— 9 to 11 a.m., March 24 at the Main Post Chapel;

— 1 to 3 p.m., March 25 at Lincoln Hall Auditorium;

— and from 9 to 11 a.m., March 26 at the Main Post Chapel.

The goal is to have all Soldiers and DA civilians on Fort Leonard Wood complete the Army Profession training by March 31, Songe said.