WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii – Leaders from 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Broncos, 25th Infantry Division attempted and outwitted the Wheeler Army Airfield SHARP escape room March 21, 2023.
April is sexual assault awareness and prevention month, and Bronco leaders tested the waters to promote the use of the escape rooms across the brigade.
“The SHARP escape room provides an engaging and unique way to educate Soldiers on sexual harassment and response prevention knowledge and skills,” said Sgt. 1st Class Wakeitha Alston, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, 3IBCT. “It’s a great alternative to the typical classroom setting, and great for squads and platoons.”
There are two SHARP escape room facilities available to 25th Infantry Division Soldiers. One is located on Wheeler Army Airfield next to the aviation medical clinic, and the other is on Schofield Barracks next to Desmond Doss Clinic.
Both locations offer the same three different settings, an office, a barrack’s room and a club scene.
The training can support up to 15 Soldiers at one time. In groups of five or less, teams enter one of the three rooms and have up to 20 minutes to unravel the hidden clues.
The 3IBCT Commander Col. Rob Shaw sees the value in the training and hopes it opens the door for Soldiers to have real conversations in small groups.
“Our goal in the Bronco Brigade is to create a culture where every Soldier has a bias for action,” said Shaw. “Meaning, if they see something that doesn’t look right, that looks questionable, regardless of the circumstance, Broncos will intervene and do the right thing because we care about each other.”
The escape rooms are just one tool leaders can use to conduct SHARP training, but brigade leaders know the biggest gains will stem from engaged noncommissioned officers fostering a climate of prevention.
Soldiers interested in reserving one of the SHARP escape rooms can contact their unit victim advocate or the brigade Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for reservations.
“My hope is that a squad leader or platoon sergeant reads this article and schedules the escape room for their team,” said Alston. “Even if it’s just one squad, it’ll be worth it. We all need to do our part in creating a culture of prevention."
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