ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. —Team CECOM it has been a long, difficult, year and a half. We are heading into the second autumn of battling the COVID-19 pandemic. What we once thought would be the beginning of the end may prove to be a more difficult battle than we initially anticipated.
You’ve all shown great resilience through these unprecedented times. Despite the challenges and changes, we’ve continued to soldier on as a team, we’ve met and exceeded our C5ISR readiness mission requirements while maintaining the health and safety of our workforce, and found new and innovative ways to juggle everything thrown our way. The true definition of resilience, if you ask me.
I know the new variants and ever changing direction of the pandemic wear heavily on many of us. We’re left in uncertainty for what’s to come, while still holding onto hope that the return to normal isn’t too far from our grasp. Yet we continue to hear that word – resilience. Let’s take a moment to explore resiliency, mental health, and the idea of strength, especially in adverse times.
I was recently privileged to speak at the Leader Professional Development on Mental Health Stigmas hosted by the 302nd Signal Battalion of the 21st Signal Brigade at Fort Detrick, Maryland. During this seminar, I shared the importance of mental health in the Army and how as leaders we must work together to not only squash the stigmas surrounding seeking help for mental health, but also how to encourage good mental health practices.
I know you’ve all heard “Army Strong.” You’ll hear it as Maj. Gen. Kilgo signs off a speech, or read it at the bottom of my CSM Corner notes. You’ll see it as a hashtag on social media, and sometimes we’ll just say it in passing. You’ve probably all used it yourselves one time or another. But it’s important we recognize that Army Strong means more than you think. Army Strong does not mean carrying the weight alone, it means having the strength to accept support. It means holding up your team when you can, and letting them hold you up when you need.
During the LPD, I spoke about the ACE model to help shatter social stigmas surrounding mental health – Ask, Care, Escort. This model outlines the least we can do for our teammates: listen without judgement, educate ourselves, advocate for treatment, support friends and loved ones, and talk about our own feelings and struggles. In the simplest of terms: be there. Show up for your teammates and your friends, and know that when you are down, someone is going to show up for you.
I think that’s one of the best things about Team CECOM. I know there’s always someone who will show up for me. I know that here in this team, it’s okay to ask for help. As a team, our resiliency and support are so strong that we have the capability to ensure each of our team members are excelling.
Resiliency isn’t about bouncing back on your own. Sometimes, resiliency means having a friend reach down and help pull you back to your feet. I am confident that together we are stronger, and together we will continue to persevere and through even the most challenging times to continue to do the essential work of sustaining C5ISR readiness to support our Soldiers whenever and wherever they should need it.
People First, Winning Matters, Army Strong!
Your Command Sergeant Major
Kristie Brady
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