“Our mission is to equip leaders with the tools and techniques they need to be better leaders. We want to make an enduring impact that will leave a legacy.” said Praevius Group’s Brandon Cates.

The focus of the three-day workshop was to equip Sergeants Major instructors with the tools they need to teach Army Profession of Ethics Training, or APET, courses and to ensure younger generations of soldiers get a proper foundation for Army ethics and professional development.

More than 96 people attended the event, but nearly the whole Army will be impacted by the training. Workshop participants were Sergeants Major Academy instructors who teach and train future Sergeants Major attending an 10-month training at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX. After attending the program and being taught by instructors, SGMs will then be sent out to lead and train soldiers around the world.

“The course was meant to challenge instructors of Sergeants Major to model techniques and the best practices for equipping their own students, incorporating character and ethical growth in all portions of education-giving their students more than just a one-time event,” Praevius Group’s Jamey Gadoury said.

Gadoury served as event organizer and small group facilitator. He said the curriculum was part of the ongoing Profession of Arms campaign.

“The course focused on professional identity, army culture, army ethic, character development and a capstone exercise that challenged participants on how they could impact their culture at the course so that their students have the most meaningful experience possible,” he said.

Praevius Group believes working progressively with this targeted audience will affect the entire profession.

“Sergeants Major are exponentially powerful and impactful,” Cates said. “They go out into the Army and the mentality spreads, multiplying overnight.”

Facilitators look forward to seeing the long-term outcome of the event.

“Hopefully Sergeants Major will be able to talk deeply on concepts of the Profession of Arms,” Gadoury said. “As commanders, they need to be able to effectively dialog with their command groups and with soldiers by interpreting information in every day terms as well as expanding and talking about deeper concepts.”

Praevius Group’s focus on leader development is in support of the U.S. Army’s Profession of Arms campaign. This movement was established in May 2008 as an effort to “assess, study, and refine the Profession of Arms” by “accelerating professional and character development in individuals, units, and Army culture through training, education and leader development,” according to the Center for the Army Profession and Ethic’s (CAPE) website. CAPE is an army-level asset that supports the Army as a whole and is located at West Point.

CAPE organizes a series of courses on education and development of leaders, encouraging participants at every level to discuss principals and theories, and develop their own character and the character of those around them.

Praevius Group provides CAPE with training and educational programs, and products for soldiers and leaders. Praevius Group team members served as speakers, course coordinators and small-group facilitators for this specific event, helping develop curriculum to identify particular to SGM needs.

“Due to our past experience in leadership and with the diverse experiences of our team members, CAPE trusts Praevius to support their mission … and aggressive campaign,” Gadoury said.

Praevius Group knows it will face some resistance from soldiers who think the Profession of Arms Campaign is “just a fad” or the “latest Chief’s initiative,” but hopes that working through the Sergeants Major will help reduce this resistance.

“Our vision is to give greater understanding of the Profession of Arms,” Cates said. “But there is a lot of cynicism we have to overcome. We have to try and breakdown barriers and get people to want to learn. Participants have an unbelievable depth of experience. At their core, they know and understand the concepts we deliver in these workshops. We challenge them to think about those concepts in a new way and renew their commitment to truly be a steward of the Profession.”

The course was taught and facilitated by a variety of professionals with different backgrounds and a broad range of expertise. Key speakers included: Mr. Gus Lee, COL (Ret.) Dr. Jo LeBoeuf, BG (Ret.) Becky Halstead, COL Eric Schacht, SGM Dave Stewart and Mr. Colby Jenkins.

Praevius Group’s Gadoury said the company brought in the highest quality speakers with contributable experiences. “We had nationally known speakers and authors which were an important part of it,” he said. “We customized concepts and theories of CAPE into a curriculum that was targeted for this specific audience.”

Gadoury said it’s important the curriculum is built around the audience’s needs. Facilitators and speakers used professionalism, combined military experiences and their expertise to successfully communicate with the SGM instructors.

Presentations and subject matter included: Professional Identity, The Profession of Arms Foundational Concepts, Army Culture, Civilian Military Relations, Army Ethic and Character Development, and the story of a “Journey of a Wounded Warrior.”

“Participants left this workshop with concrete techniques and plans to implement the concepts in their next cycle of Sergeants Major students,” Cates said. “The SGM instructors saw and … understood that they have a huge impact on the Army at large. Sergeants Major are the stewards of the profession-they ensure the younger generation of soldiers get a proper foundation in the Profession of Arms.”

The team delivered this message through various modes, including tangible strategies and classroom techniques. Activities included small-group discussions, large-group lectures and simulations.

Participants were responsive to the messages. Cates described the typical SGM learner as “extremely passionate” and displaying an “obvious care for the Profession of Arms.”

Catalyst for the event, SGM David Stewart from the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, said the course did affect Sergeants Major Academy Instructors.

“I know for a fact having spoken to a few instructors that it definitely impacted their thought process on the whole character development piece,” Stewart said. ‘’The effects in the classroom were almost immediate as instructors were implementing the material Praevius gave us the day after the class.”

Stewart said the course was a transformational development of the Profession of Arms rather than a 3-day event.

“The course was spot on,” Stewart said. “The only way our soldiers are going to buy-in to the Profession is for our leaders to not only talk it, but walk it at the same time.” This course prepared leaders for just that.

The APET III Workshop at USASMA is just a piece of what Praevius Group does. The firm supports the Army in other ways, too.
Cates said, “We all have a special dedication to soldiers and … believe our work will truly have a lasting impact on the organization we all love.”

There have been 5 suicide cases at Fort Hood since Jan. 2011, which continues to motivate Hearn and others to make it a priority to address the issue and teach soldiers how to deal with their feelings and experiences-as well as be aware of the behavioral signs of their fellow soldiers.

Click here to read the full story as found on the U.S. Army Military Website, or continue reading:

FORT HOOD, Texas, Sept. 9, 2011 — PowerPoint slides can be very boring, especially in a dark auditorium. Now combine that with a difficult topic for discussion like suicide prevention. It’s a recipe for an instant nap.

Instead, Fort Hood is waking up Soldiers and giving them the opportunity to join live actors on stage for a suicide prevention interactive play every Tuesday at Palmer Theater.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Although suicide awareness is stressed all year long, September is set aside to conduct training and to test crisis response plans.

According to the Army, as of July, 161 suicides have been reported in 2011 — 97 active duty and 64 Reserve Component Soldiers. Fort Hood has reported five suicide cases since Jan. 2011 — three confirmed with two still under investigation.

“The impact that suicide is having across the Army right now,” John Hearn, Interactive Role-Play facilitator said, “Soldiers need to know how big of a deal it really is.”

Hearn, a former service member, interacts with his audience throughout the play using his own personal stories, and he asks for audience participation on how to approach different suicide prevention scenarios.

The interactive play highlights the common risk factors and warning signs of suicide, Sharon Sutton, Fort Hood’s Suicide Prevention Program manager, said.

During the play, four professionally trained actors dramatize the warning signs and act out the risk factors of suicide from a Soldier’s perspective.

Aaron Alexander, an actor who played “Spc. Alexander” throughout several skits, said, “Something I love doing — acting — is actually saving lives.”

The play started off with each actor introducing themselves as their Soldier persona. Then Hearn gave a short introduction of Alexander’s background. Alexander is a central character throughout the play.

Alexander, once a well-rounded, hard-working Soldier, runs across the stage because he is late for formation, again. He shows a sudden change in behavior, a lack of respect for himself and others, and a depression and emotional detachment.

Alexander’s platoon leader questioned his recent change in behavior.

“What’s going on?” the platoon leader asked. The specialist quickly gave a one-word response.

“Nothing,” he said.

The actors freeze. Hearn then leads the audience in a question-and answer-session. He pulled a Soldier, Spc. Erik Melvin, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, out of the audience to portray Spc. Alexander’s close friend who is concerned about his change in behavior.

Melvin dramatized the “Ask” portion of the “Ask, Care, and Escort,” or ACE, training model.

With the help of the audience giving suggestions, Melvin role-played different ways to approach Alexander to get him to open up and confide to him. But as real life does not play out like fiction from books, Alexander tells Melvin nothing.

“See something, say something,” Hearn said as he stepped back in for another question-and-answer session. “Now is the time to ’say something’ to someone about Alexander’s behavior,” Hearn said.

The play continued with Alexander continuing to show warning signs and risk factors of suicidal behavior. His work performance continued to fall and his temper was spiraled out of control.

Next, Spc. James Kuritz, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, was brought on stage as Alexander’s platoon leader. Kuritz then assisted in the dramatization of the ‘Care’ portion of ACE.

Kuritz tried to get Alexander to talk about what is sending him in a downward spiral. Unfortunately, with no response but “nothing,” Kuritz contacts Alexander’s ex-girlfriend, “Spc. Dominguez,” portrayed by actress Karina Dominguez.

In a humorous rant, Dominguez quickly dismisses Kuritz’s warnings about Alexander’s behavior saying, “He is my ex boyfriend, not current boyfriend!”

The laughter stopped when Dominguez is informed that Alexander has killed himself, showing what happens when suicidal risk factors and warning signs are ignored.

Other skits were performed to demonstrate the “Escort” portion of ACE by Dominguez and Michelle Keffer, and “See something, say something” by actors Alexander and Joey Hood.

Dominguez said the play helps Soldiers because it has something different for them with the interactivity, which helps stimulate them.

“They get a chance to get involved and invested,” she said.

Captain Aaron Skerkavich, 5-82 FA Regt., said he had his own preconceived notion about what the play would be like, but he felt they definitely blew that out of the water.

“It was awesome,” he said.

The interactive role-play is performed each Tuesday at Fort Hood. The play is recommended for adults only, due to some graphic language throughout the performance.

For anyone needing immediate assistance, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-SUICIDE, or the Fort Hood Chaplain Crisis Line, 287-CHAP (2427).

As former soldiers, Miller and Self believe it is important to support returning servicemen.

Click here to read the full story as found on the Killeen Daily Herald Website, or continue reading:

After 12 months, thousands of missions and 250 roadside bombs cleared, the 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade closed the final chapter on its deployment to Afghanistan during a colors-uncasing ceremony Friday at Cameron Field.

The Lumberjack unit, whose lineage dates back to World War I, returned to Fort Hood in mid-January. The unfurling was originally planned for Feb. 3, but it was postponed due to weather.

About 450 soldiers from the battalion’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Forward Support Company, 510th Clearance Company and 584th Mobility Augmentation Company stood in formation to hear their last official “welcome homes” from Col. Kent Savre, brigade commander, and Canadian Brig. Gen. Peter Atkinson, deputy commanding general, III Corps and Fort Hood.

The battalion has deployed twice to Iraq. This was its first deployment to Afghanistan.

Savre, recently redeployed from the brigade’s mission in Iraq, told 20th soldiers that their efforts in Kandahar province, in oppressive heat and against a lethal enemy, “made a huge difference for the people of Afghanistan and their democracy, and our nation’s strength and democracy.”

It wouldn’t have been possible without support from the home front, he said, and it wasn’t without a price. He asked those present to observe a moment of silence for the 13 battalion soldiers who were killed in action.

“We will never forget them,” Atkinson said.

In addition to those lost in combat, four battalion soldiers preparing to deploy died during the Nov. 5, 2009, shooting at Fort Hood’s Soldier Readiness Processing Center. Eleven more were wounded.

About 30 soldiers, including battalion commander Lt. Col. Peter Andrysiak, received Bronze Star Medals during an awards ceremony following the uncasing.

Andrysiak commanded a task force that grew to 1,100 soldiers, including hundreds of soldiers from non-Fort Hood units, during the deployment.

Although the Afghanistan mission is over, he said, a new one began as soon as the Lumberjacks touched ground: keeping soldiers safe at home.

Latent issues can surface after a deployment, he said, and leaders are making soldiers and families aware of the resources available to them at Fort Hood.

“The job for leaders doesn’t change,” Andrysiak said.

Contact Colleen Flaherty at colleenf@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7559.

For more information on DARPA, click here.

This year’s activities included a 1K for kids, a 5K for adults and a party in celebration of the football game between the Army and Navy-a rivalry match known as “America’s Game.”

“The first year we had live music, but no one ran because it rained,” said Nate Self, Praevius Group employee and event organizer. “This year we had a run, but no live music. But next year, we’re having both!”

Going on its third year, the next Royal View Romp will be Dec. 10 2011. Singer Trent Monk will perform live at the event.

Self spoke on behalf of Military Ministry, a faith-based organization that tends to the needs and stresses of service people and their families. Self, having suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as an Army veteran, related to the audience, which was made up of active duty Soldiers, their families, veterans, and local citizens committed to helping veterans.

Self talked about his past experiences in Afghanistan and shared his coping mechanisms as a returning soldier adjusting to civilian life. He encouraged community members and churches to reach out to soldiers, veterans and their families, and minister to them when possible.

For more information on Military Ministry, click here.

For the link to The South Georgia Conference press release, click here.

Self shared stories of combat and leadership-highlighting the stresses of war and the difficulties of returning home while suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.

The audience was made up of active-duty soldiers, soldiers in the reserves, as well as contractors and Department of the Army Civilians.

Part 1:

Part 2:

From newobserver.com:

GE Brings Vets Together

BY DAVID BRACKEN - Staff Writer

DURHAM — It was no accident that General Electric introduced a new companywide support group for veterans at its aviation facility on the edge of Research Triangle Park.

Of the 264 employees who assemble commercial airline engines at the plant, 120 have served in the military, a ratio that is among the highest of any GE facilities.

“It’s a big deal to have launched it here,” said Joe Frazier, 48, a mechanic who spent six years in the Marines before joining GE Aviation 14 years ago.

On Thursday, about 100 veterans from GE Aviation’s facilities in Wilmington, Asheville, West Jefferson and Greenville, S.C., gathered to brainstorm about how to make the company’s new Veterans Network a success.

The network, modeled on similar networks GE has created for African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic and female employees, is designed to act as a support group and a recruiting arm for hiring retiring soldiers. It’s also partly a lobbying arm that can be used to persuade government officials to support projects that would boost business for GE Aviation, including new fighter planes.

Doug McLean, plant leader for the Durham engine facility, said most of the existing GE networks are dominated by salaried employees. About two-thirds of the veterans group is expected to be hourly workers.

About one of every 14 of GE’s more than 320,000 employees worldwide are veterans. The company employs about 5,000 in North Carolina, including 1,300 at GE Aviation.

For the employees in Durham, the new network will formalize a lot of the work they already do, including organizing a Veterans Day parade every November.

Rodney “Gunny” Wagner, a former Marine and one of the main organizers of that event, said the most useful aspect of GE’s veterans network is likely to be the digital link that will be created for all the company’s veterans. If a veteran needs assistance or advice, all they will have to do is send a request to network members.

Jerry Robinson works in Asheville for GE Aviation and drove to the event Thursday with more than 20 other veterans.

“It’s great,” Robinson said of the network. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

The day’s events emphasized the unique bond among veterans, and how the character and discipline that the military demands are equally important in civilian life.

Among the highlights were speeches by Air Force Gen. Charles A. Horner, the air commander for the 1991 Persian Gulf War, and Nate Self, an Army Ranger captain who was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions during a daring mountain rescue in Afghanistan in 2002.

Self said that the military motto “leave no man behind” should be applied to those returning from the battlefield and that networks like the one being created by GE can help.

“There are so many people that have come back from this war and other wars that have been left behind,” he said. “What they need is support.”

Horner said he’d heard from veterans who felt as if they missed out because they had not served during a time of conflict. He said that’s the wrong way to look at military service.

“It’s not what you do in the military,” he said. “It’s the fact that you were in the military.”

david.bracken@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4548