Women Learn Coping and Mentoring Skills

By Pfc. Amy M. LaneMay 10, 2010

100429-A-9979L-018
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Nearly 60 female Soldiers and spouses attended the workshop. The 1st Medical Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), organized the Adaptive Leader Training for Women conference at the Peaceable Kingdom Retreat in Killeen, Texas Apr. 27-29.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
100429-A-9979L-016
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Also present at the Adaptive Leader Training for Women conference were a military family life consultant and a certified financial planner. Both were available to meet individually with women to discuss their personal situations during the 1st Medica... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
100429-A-9979L-002
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Richelle Hecker was the guest speaker and facilitator for the workshop. The 1st Medical Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), organized the Adaptive Leader Training for Women conference at the Peaceable Kingdom Retreat in Killeen, Texas ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
100429-A-9979L-003
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Adaptive Leader Training for Women conference held workshops on various subjects including: developing coping mechanisms, transitioning from single parenting to parenting as a couple, and mentoring to pass these skills on to others. The 1st Medic... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KILLEEN, Texas Aca,!" Aca,!A"We have a huge gap in both age and experience,Aca,!A? said Lt. Col. Lee Roupe, the rear detachment commander of 1st Medical Brigade. Aca,!A"We have Soldiers and spouses ranging from newly married 18 year olds, to people who have been military spouses for more than 30 years.

Roupe organized the Adaptive Leader Training for Women conference at the Peaceable Kingdom Retreat because he wanted to bring together women of all ages and experiences and allow them to connect as mentors/mentees. Almost 60 female Soldiers and spouses attended the conference Apr. 27-29.

Aca,!A"Women are the backbone of the family,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"I wanted to do something to help strengthen our families, and some of the older, more knowledgeable people have never passed on their experiences. If you have that knowledge and you can share it with others then you can help them become more resilient and self-sustainable.Aca,!A?

The guest speaker and facilitator for the workshop was Richelle Hecker. Hecker was an Army spouse for 13 years until her husband was killed in Iraq. She is currently raising their four children as a single mother.

Aca,!A"When people hear about my husband, they want to know why IAca,!a,,cm not falling apart,Aca,!A? she said. Aca,!A"I want to be able to help other spouses by sharing my experiences and the coping skills IAca,!a,,cve learned.Aca,!A?

Hecker led workshops on various subjects including developing coping mechanisms, transitioning from single parenting to parenting as a couple, and mentoring to pass these skills on to others.

Pfc. Charnisha Stevens is a single Soldier who felt that the event was helpful to take the information in for future reference.

Aca,!A"I learned how to react better in situations that may come up in the future,Aca,!A? she said.

Spc. Terra Williams said the workshop not only helped her with strategies for improving her family life, it also helped her learn strategies for dealing with difficult coworkers.

Aca,!A"ItAca,!a,,cs a blessing that they have allowed us to do this for three days,Aca,!A? she said. Aca,!A"We have been given some great tools, but itAca,!a,,cs really up to the individual to apply what weAca,!a,,cve learned and use the resources we have been given.Aca,!A?

Also present at the conference were a military family life consultant and a certified financial planner. Both were available to meet individually with women to discuss their personal situations.