FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – A Women's Professional Leadership Forum provided an opportunity for junior leaders to hear from senior female mentors on Jan. 19 at the 305th Military Intelligence (MI) Battalion Headquarters’ classroom.
“Every quarter we bring together three senior female leaders to share their expertise, experience and guidance,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tamara Burkett, Signals Intelligence instructor and forum organizer, from 304th MI Bn.
“We hold these forums because females can sometimes make up only 10 to 20 percent -- sometimes less -- of a unit’s population, and it can be difficult when you face obstacles that are unique to you, and you don’t have someone to relate to or seek out as a mentor,” she emphasized.
An audience with leaders of all genders, ranks and skill levels posed questions to the panelists, including Heidi Malarchik, deputy to the garrison commander; Maj. Kimberly Donecker, senior training operations officer in charge, 304th MI Bn.; and Sgt. 1st Class Saquawia Pennington, RAPID Lead and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, 111th MI Brigade.
The discussions were open topic during the forum allowing Soldiers and civilians to give personal circumstance, detail, and nuance to their queries.
“What suggestions do you have for young female leaders to become more confident in their position, to gain respect and to “be seen” by their male subordinate leaders?” asked 2nd Lt. Bansikha Khadka, an Illinois National Guard Soldier attending the MI basic officer leader course (BOLC).
The panelists provided a wealth of information with their seasoned leadership experiences.
Malarchik advised working on leadership reliability and reputation.
“Be you!” she emphasized. “You do not have to emulate George S. Patton. Do not let anyone dissuade or change who you are.”
Malarchik’s contributions to the Army throughout her career are significant and plentiful, but she said she has had her share of challenges.
She advised seeking out leadership development opportunities because they open doors and instill confidence.
“They told me initially I was not eligible due to my height,” she said.
Standing at four feet and seven inches tall, she said she caused quite a debate among Army leadership by her being one inch short of the height regulation at the time she joined.
Malarchik said she had no doubt in her own capabilities. She entered basic training with gusto and completed with honors. She eventually joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps in her junior year of college and transitioned from an enlisted Soldier to an officer.
Pennington advised Khadka and the audience to carry oneself with confidence.
Early in her career, Pennington said she was self-conscious of her accent being a native of New Jersey and thought no one would take her seriously.
“I had a strong attitude,” she explained. “I was loud and boisterous.”
“I did a lot of PT!” Pennington exclaimed, saying she tried to be like, “one of the guys.”
“It didn’t work for me,” she said. “Not even a little bit.
“One thing about confidence, you can fake that all day long,” she explained. “Nobody in the room will know aside from you.”
The problem, Pennington said, is when you go home.
“All those insecurities and coping skills you used to get through those moments,” or faking it until you make it, can cause undue stress she adds.
“Learning your skills and your craft, and knowing your military occupation inside and out, and working through what is necessary to be confident and lead,” she emphasized. “Until then, walk with a smile on your face and own it!”
Pennington shared a valuable point about developing a command presence.
“Just being in that room you are leaps and bounds above other females who wouldn’t take the risk!” she exclaimed. “You volunteered to be in this room, and you didn’t have to – you are one step up!”
Khadka and her MI BOLC teammates commented that the forum was an excellent part of their leadership development plan.
“Mentorship is essential to enhance how we can progress women’s leadership and command presence in the military,” she said.
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM)/9th Army Signal Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.
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