WIESBADEN, Germany (October 12, 2012) -- Holding senior leadership seminars are routine for most units in the Army. 5th Signal Command seized an opportunity to break from routine and offer young and future leaders a head start in their careers.
More than 30 5th Signal Command lieutenants from different locations throughout Europe came together for a junior leadership development seminar hosted by 5th Signal at the Clay Kaserne Community Activity Center.
The three-day seminar was packed with training, mentorship and professional development panels to empower young leaders with the tools and knowledge they will need as they accept higher levels of responsibility.
1st. Lt. Chawn R. Roundtree, a platoon leader assigned to Bravo Company, 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion said, "I actually expected to be challenged when we got here, but to my surprise, it was more of a nurturing benefit to us. A lot of the information was very useful."
1st. Lt. Geryah White, assigned to 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, said she expected all the lieutenants from 5th Signal Command would learn some of the lessons they didn't know about a strategic unit particularly with herself coming from a tactical unit.
The first day's theme was professional development and to kick off the day, 5th Signal Commander Brig. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford gave a leadership brief to the lieutenants where he provided career enhancing advice.
"When Brig. Gen. Crawford was discussing leadership, he pointed out that we need to develop a broader understanding of everything because that's what a good leader does. A good leader is well-rounded and aims to improve daily," said Roundtree.
On the second day the junior officers began with a morale-boosting run across Clay Kaserne. The theme for day two was senior leadership mentorship in which colonels, lieutenant colonels and sergeants major throughout 5th Signal sat on a panel answering various questions and providing direction to the lieutenants.
"Having the senior leaders share their experiences from when they were in our shoes makes you think, 'hey, maybe I can do this,' because getting to where they are seems so far away. However, they were once where we are at now, and if they're telling us that if we stay on a certain path then we will make it because someone has to take their position when they retire, and that's something I would like to do," said Roundtree.
The final day the junior officers received more professional development training which covered their specific functional areas.
Crawford said that it's critical to mold and mentor young leaders now so they can be even more prepared for the evolving military environment that comes with an increased need for adaptive and agile officers.
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