HOHENFELS, Germany - Though she already holds a degree in business management and economics from the State University of New York, when Vesna Gaddy saw an opportunity to attend a course to hone her business leadership skills, she said she jumped at the chance.
Gaddy, a Property Book Office supply technician, is the first local national employee from U.S. Army Garrison Hohenfels to attend a Civilian Education System course since the benefit was extended to local nationals last year.
The CES, part of the Army Management Staff College, represents a series of courses that aims to educate those that support Soldiers, with the ultimate goal of a workforce capable of providing exemplary mission support.
According to CES publications, "Army civilians will become multi-faceted civilian leaders of the 21st century who personify the warrior ethos in all aspects, from war-fighting support to statesmanship and business management."
For two weeks Gaddy attended the Basic Course at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., with 150 other students in her session.
Having taught leadership courses herself during a previous job in human resources, Gaddy said she was impressed with the layout of the course.
"I really, really liked the course," said Gaddy. "Normally leadership courses are all about theory, but with this one the theory was covered online (before arriving in Kansas), so when I got there right from the start we were assigned a group. Everything was about group work and it was very hands on."
The student-centered, problem-based, experiential curriculum is designed to raise student awareness of their leadership style and develop teamwork, communication and leadership skills.
For example, Gaddy said the second day into the course each group was given an assignment that was kept as vague as possible. She and her group had to figure out not only what the assignment was exactly, but also how to complete it. She said the exercise allowed the instructors to see how the students would interact with people they had just met, what each person's leadership style was and how they would work together as a group.
"You were on your toes from the first day on. The tasks were as vague as possible. It lets the instructors see how people adapt. Are you going to withdraw or contribute' It was pretty tense, but you learn a lot about yourself," Gaddy said.
Students then get feedback from the instructors who help them use those lessons to improve their performance.
At Hohenfels, Gaddy works on a team of six people who manage the property book for the garrison, which includes about 130 hand receipts for items issued to garrison personnel.
"(The CES course) gave me some tools to help me adapt to situations. This is a customer service position so our goal is to do our services as quickly and as seamlessly as possible," said Gaddy.
Gaddy's supervisor, Chief Warrant Officer Julio Irlanda, Hohenfels property book officer, said he was more than willing to endorse Gaddy's request to attend the course.
"I endorsed it because it is education. Why not'" he said. "We were thrilled because she is the first local national from Hohenfels to go."
Irlanda said the Basic Course certificate is something Gaddy can put on her resume that will help her wherever she goes, whether she remains an Army employee or not.
"It will help her later. For example, there is a team chief for each of our three teams. If her team chief left and I were the person choosing who is next, she would be in a good position because she has the training," said Irlanda.
Bridy Godwin, Plans, Analysis and Integration officer for the garrison, said she also encourages her employees to take advantage of CES opportunities.
"It is great for career progression," said Godwin.
One of them, Rajan Ignatius, another local national, has just completed the online training of the basic course and is awaiting dates for his training in Kansas.
"I understood many things better (after completing the online course). I learned about leadership and how to handle different situations, though mainly about communication and feedback," said Ignatius. "Communication is so important because if that breaks down everything falls apart."
The benefits of the training came at no cost to either the student or their immediate employer. Attendance, including travel and living costs, are centrally funded for most Army civilians, meaning the Department of the Army picks up the bill.
So impressed was she with the Basic Course, Gaddy said she hopes to attend the Intermediate Course by next summer.
Civilians interested in attending a CES course should contact their supervisor and visit http://www.amsc.belvoir.army.mil/ces for more information.
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