FORT EISENHOWER, Ga. – While hundreds of service members left the area to visit family during Holiday Block Leave (HBL), many others stayed behind for various reasons. Fortunately for the latter group, several of the installation’s leadership and community partners have stepped up to ensure that those who stayed are not missing out.
“Some of these Soldiers don’t have families to go home to, some of them joined the military to get out of a situation that they have no desire to go back to, some of them want to save their leave, and some can’t afford the tickets to fly all the way back to wherever it is they’d have to go,” explained 1st Sgt. Karyl Holliday Jr., Foxtrot Company, 369th Signal Battalion.
Holliday’s company is comprised of Soldiers currently enrolled in either the Signal or Cyber School at Fort Eisenhower. For the duration of HBL, Soldiers have an array of activities and outings planned that they can take advantage of if they choose. Archery tag, axe throwing, golf, bowling, an amusement park, indoor rock climbing, and a trip to Atlanta are among some of the activities. The installation’s Warrior Adventure Quest and generosity of community partners help keep costs to the Soldiers at a minimum (sometimes free), and transportation to these events are included.
Participation is encouraged but not mandatory. Holliday said that just as some Soldiers enjoy being active, he and his cadre understand there are some who simply prefer to rest during HBL – and they respect their wishes.
“You have people that enjoy finally not having to do stuff all day long … a lot of these Soldiers just want to chill in their rooms and play videogames, watch TV or whatever it is, and just not be bothered, because it’s not something that they have had really since before they joined the Army,” Holliday said.
In an effort to ensure each Soldier’s well-being, cadre may occasionally stop by the rooms of Soldiers who have not signed out of the barracks, remind them of resources available (such as a chaplain and various support services), and there is a daily accountability formation requirement.
“We just have to really pay attention to everybody and assess each individual, how they’re doing … and that’s having lots of conversations during formations when you do get to see the ones that like to stay in. But we never want to push anybody to do any of these events,” Holliday explained
It’s all about taking care of each other – something Holliday and NCOs like Sgt. 1st Class Regenia Dawson are passionate about doing. Like many NCOs, Dawson has spent her fair share of holidays away from family. And when the opportunity arose for her to stay behind for a second consecutive year, she took it.
“I know what it’s like to be that young Soldier not able to go home for the holidays, so being here with the Soldiers during the holiday and sharing my family with them so that they are not alone brings me joy,” said Dawson, senior drill sergeant for F Co., 369th Sig. Bn. “It also heals the wounds of Pfc. Dawson, who was once in their shoes.”
As a senior drill sergeant, Dawson is “the go-to for everything Soldier-related.” She is one of the first faces they see each morning and often the last person to leave work each day. It is a demanding role to fill, yet she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Outside of attending all the events with the Soldiers, the best part for me is bringing my family to the [dining facility] on Christmas and having lunch with all the Soldiers,” she said. “My biggest hope for the Soldiers during HBL is that they feel cared for and that they enjoy themselves as much as possible before heading back to their companies and school after New Years.”
Holliday shared similar sentiments. Reflecting on nearly 20 years of service and numerous years spent apart from family, Holliday said he hopes the Soldiers discover they have another family within the Army.
“Stuff like this is really what fuels and drives my desire to stay in the military,” he said. “This is what makes every day worth it – when you watch these junior Soldiers sitting together playing games, laughing and joking, telling stories … I think this is why a lot of us join the Army – to have that crew.”
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