Page 7 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, March 2021

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March 2021
March 2021
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NTC Backbone Academy Pilot SHARP listening session addresses the

‘Mentoring the Next Generation’ signs, science behind sexual assaults

By Janell J. Lewis Ford Patrick elaborated on ve stages and strate- Common threads of a sexual predator
By Jason Miller concluded with an overview of the many resources that exist NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs gies that sexual predators use, including allure include a history of perpetration, alcohol use
Fort Irwin/NTC PAO on post that can assist when a Soldier is struggling or when a FORT IRWIN, Calif. — More than three of attraction, cultivated context, comfort of (although studies say many perpetrators do their
Soldier wants to better themselves. credibility, breaking boundaries and shaming best work when they’re sober), large number of
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Fort Irwin’s top noncommissioned dozen Soldiers and Department of Defense to silence. sexual partners, hostility toward women, history
“ is should give junior NCO’s tools to get comfortable
o cer delivered opening remarks to a class of 16 U.S. Army with being uncomfortable,” said Master Sgt. Paul Moore, leader civilians participated in a workshop to learn She said that sexual crimes are equal-oppor- of delinquency/misconduct.
Junior NCOs on Jan. 25, o cially kicking o the instal- more about identifying signs of sexual assault tunity o enses but there may be a reporting Other predictors to be cognizant of are
lation-level Desert Backbone Academy Pilot Program at the development NCOIC for 916th Support Brigade. “We have to and predators at the National Training Center stigma for male victims, as they’re less likely to when someone expresses moral justi cation
National Training Center. get back to mentoring and grooming the next generation, it’s and Fort Irwin. come forward, especially if they outrank the and disengagement surrounding sexual as-
about people rst.”
e Desert Backbone Academy and the Fort Irwin Counsel- It’s part of the Army’s Sexual Harassment/ perpetrator. saults and a predator’s lack of respect for rules
ing Guide was developed by the senior enlisted advisors from During the course, experienced senior-level NCOs led chal- Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) “Research shows we perceive conduct di er- and boundaries.
across Fort Irwin based on doctrine found in ATP (Army Tech- lenging breakout sessions with scenarios and vignettes, which action plan to reevaluate current policies and ently depending on who is the perpetrator and “Predators break boundaries…they’ve done Wendy Patrick, JD, Ph.D has conducted
niques Publication) 6-22.1, “ e Counseling Process.” “We gave junior NCOs resources, training and tools to deal with programs, identify and correct shortcomings, who is the victim,” Patrick said. it before, they’ll continue to do it,” Patrick said. several virtual sessions on sexual assault
didn’t reinvent doctrine or invent something new, but we use di cult or unforeseen situations. educate the force, and provide a safe environ- Signs of a Sexual Predator Military-Speci c Factors and prevention.
the Fort Irwin Counseling Guide as the framework for how to “You got a single 22-year-old sergeant E-5, maybe lives in ment for all. According to Patrick’s research, it matters Patrick broke down a study that focused on
implement that doctrine,” said Command Sgt. Maj. William the barracks, who might be supervising a 36-year-old special- Cases and allegations of mishandling of who the perpetrator is when it comes to how factors in the military to be aware of regarding NTC SHARP Steps
A. Justice, Command Sergeant Major of NTC and Fort Irwin. ist married with four kids,” said Justice. “ at supervisor may sexual misconduct at Fort Hood, Texas, have it’s received because many weigh appearance/ sexual assault. ey include: • Re-vet credentials of SARCs/Vas/personnel
“I want you to forget everything you think about counseling not have the life experience to know what to look for, or what made the Army take a critical look at systems, attractiveness, popularity, rank, etc. in society. • Hierarchy of power, rank, obedience to
and the SLRRT (Soldier Leader Risk Reduction Tool),” said questions to ask, this is exactly what this pilot program is about.” our policies, and people in place. Research shows that many times, sexual authority across the formation to ensure they’re the
right personnel to execute duties
Justice. “I want you to listen and understand that these are just Although developed at the installation level, each major The Secretary of the Army formed the assaults occur when the couple has a sexual • Immersion: on/off duty (The ‘Conduct • Establish temporary Human Behavior situ-
tools, tools that will help to develop our junior NCO’s and help subordinate command (MSC) at NTC will take ownership “People First” Task Force to analyze the nd- history. Ex romantic partners are often at Unbecoming’ aspect is blurred since soldiers ational training exercises
them grow as counselors. It’s these tools that will help them of the program as part of their leader development programs. ings and recommendations of the Fort Hood a higher risk for sexual assault/battery, so don’t know when they’re o the clock with the • Establish SHARP resource center at Bldg.
to build trust in their formations and to help them to become ere are four distinct steps in the counseling process, but it’s ose di cult conversations will become easier and that will Independent Review Committee, develop a Patrick advises to look out for these traits: rigorous hours) 287
engaged leaders.” continuous said Justice. “It includes the everyday conversations serve to build trust in our formations.” plan of action to address issues identi ed by dark personalities like psychopathy, narcis- • Priority on group cohesion (Which may • Review Barracks Visitor Policy and CQ Du-
e three-day pilot program is focused on building counsel- that our junior NCO’s have with their Soldiers all month long According to Justice, the installation should see the program the committee, and reevaluate current policy sism, Machiavellianism. dissuade victims from reporting) ties and responsibilities
ing packets, and how to use the documents contained in the — after PT; in the motor-pool; in the back of a vehicle. Using rollout sometime in mid-March to MSCs. “If I’m a sergeant and programs across the Army. “ ere have been studies that these three • Isolated from support system • Execute physical security inspection of all
packet in preparation for counseling and walks them through the tools in the ATP and the framework within our counseling or sta -sergeant, I’m asking to attend because I want to get To evaluate the situation on post, leader- personality types are attractive to others,” she • Deployment barracks with a focus on exterior lighting and
each of the four steps of the counseling process. e course guide, our junior NCO’s will truly get to know their Soldiers. that training, I want to be better for my Soldiers,” said Justice. ship has conducted a series of sensing sessions said. “ ey’ve been linked to sexual harassment • Lack of access to help door locks

Weed Army Community Hosptial hosts NCO Induction Ceremony to understand issues and concerns of Soldiers. proclivity.” Patrick wrapped up the talk by discussing • Ensure adequate physical security across the
In the latest, SHARP hosted a virtual work-
Also, everyone is advised to be aware of those the correlation between the steps both the civil-
installation
shop taught by Wendy Patrick, JD, Ph.D., who with a “hero” syndrome who are overly protec- ian and Army organizations are taking to com- • Educate leaders and the engaging the force
Story and Photo by Kim Hackbarth in the event, because not every NCO is formally by military training such as weapons quali cation, spoke on a presentation titled, “ e Science Be- tive or excessively doing what they call “helping bat and remove the stigma of sexual assaults. • Standup and running of Desert Backbone
Weed Army Community Hospital Public A airs inducted into the NCO Corps. and administrative points, such as awards and hind the Seduction: Spotting Sexual Predators.” out,” as predators take advantage of opportuni- “ ere’s also a stigma that surrounds the Academy
“I was not inducted into the NCO Corps, civilian education. Patrick gained her experience from being a ties to touch, invade space, cross boundaries and way a victim is treated afterward,” she said,
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Weed Army Com- but I made it my goal that when it was my time When she nally made the cuto , points for criminal defense attorney, then prosecutor for say make inappropriate comments. referencing a soldier or employee victim being
munity Hospital inducted 17 Soldiers into the to lead from the front and be the example, I will her job were in the mid-600s, Lugo said. more than two decades, as well as obtaining a Patrick explained that a big predictor of placed on light duty, being reassigned, given parency and investigations and it’s better overall
corps of the noncommissioned o cer during an always a ord the opportunity for Soldiers to do Lugo said she was “relieved” and “excited” to doctorate in theology. sexual assault is feeling uncomfortable. If there special care or treated di erently due to what than a decade ago when it comes to trying to
NCO Induction Ceremony on Feb. 11 at the She wanted to show the command teams is someone who makes you tense up or feel someone else did. change the culture.
Sandy Basin Community Center at Fort Irwin. so,” Blash said. nally earn her promotion because she earned the and Sexual Assault Response Coordinators uncomfortable as soon as they approach or “We’re all subject to the same ice age,” Pat- “We are starting to target red flags and
Command Sgt. Maj. Dedraf Blash, the senior Upholding the tradition of the NCO Induc- rank she had been working toward. (SARCs) and Victim Advocates how to assess enter a room, this is a feeling that can pre-date rick said. “Glacially, we’re progressing but in all the predator progression earlier,” Patrick said
enlisted advisor for WACH, said the purpose of tion Ceremony is important, Blash added. “I wanted to be able to step up and do more and predict threats and be able to catch habits a sexual assault. of our workplaces, we’re all learning the same referencing the regulations of an investigation.
the event is to celebrate newly promoted sergeants “ is tradition should continue because it is to help out especially from the laboratory perspec- early on. Research shows that when power is new things and working through this di erently.” “If perpetrators know this, they’re much more
and welcome them to the ranks of the noncom- a time to celebrate, a time to show pride that a tive because in the lab we did get hit pretty hard At the end of the day, Blash said she hopes “ e goal is, ‘how can we catch it as early as in a workplace or environment, it can trigger She said civilians and Soldiers are all imple- likely to rethink whether or not to take that
missioned o cer corps. soldier has made it to the elite NCO Corps, the as soon as the [COVID-19] pandemic began,” the inductees took away one key thing from the possible to prevent it?’” Patrick said. sexually aggressive behavior. menting the same types of strategies with trans- risk.”
During the ceremony, three NCOs recited the backbone of the Army, the glue that holds it all she said. “Our work load increased signi cantly.” ceremony.
Creed of the Noncommissioned O cer to re- together, the one that makes it happen — the Blash compared sergeants, or E5s, and the L5 “I hope that they realize the ceremony is their
mind the new NCOs of their duties, three junior- NCO,” she said. “It is their moment to shine vertebrae in the lumbar area of the spine, noting announcement that they are o cially part of the Teacher Spotlight: Student Spotlight:
enlisted Soldiers recited “A Soldier’s Request”, under those lights and soak it all in and say, ‘ is that NCOs are often called the “backbone of ‘backbone of the Army,’” Blash said. “I am so Aaron “Coach L” Lamoreaux,
which details what a Soldier expects from their is the beginning of it all, I’m ready.’” the Army.” excited for all these sergeants and I can’t wait to Joe Scopazzo,
NCO, and the NCOs in the ceremony walked Sgt. Gladys Lugo, a medical laboratory technician “Much like the L5, the E5 rank is where many see all the ideas that each of them has to bring PE Teacher, Tiefort View Intermediate School 5th Grader, TVIS
through the NCO arch and under crossed sabers with WACH, participated in the ceremony following of our problems start because we don’t know how to the table.”
to symbolically cross the line of authority to the her promotion to sergeant in December 2020. to bear the weight or the stress of the items we After being inducted, Lugo said she better “Coach L” is the PE teacher at Tiefort View Joe Scopazzo is a 5th grade student at Tiefort View
be inducted into the NCO Corps. For Lugo, the path to becoming an NCO re- carry,” she explained. understood the importance of the ceremony and and has been teaching physical education here for Intermediate School. Joe enjoys Math and Social Studies.
Fort Irwin’s Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. quired continuous work to meet the cuto points As NCOs grow, things start changing, she the tradition behind it. 15 years. Coach said he loves being able to teach He loves being able to come to school a couple times a
Paul Fedorisin, served as the guest speaker required to earn a promotion in her career eld. said. “ e whole purpose of [the NCO Induc- 3rd – 5th graders how to live a healthy life through week so he can see his friends. e Novel Studies in class
at the ceremony and the Regional Health Lugo said she tried her best to maximize the “Knowledge and responsibilities levels grow, tion Ceremony] is meant to emphasize what exercises, activities, and sport skill practice. He keep him engaged, and his favorite book read was e
Command — Central senior enlisted advisor, di erent areas of her promotion point work sheet. wisdom of standards and regulations cause us you are walking into and to take it seriously,” said he cannot wait until the school gets each and Outsiders. Outside of school, he likes to skateboard, play
Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy J. Sprunger, also e maximum amount of points the Army to start to lose ‘excess weight’ from those things she explained. “It places emphasis on the every student back out on the eld for some real, video games, and help his dad x cars. When Joe is older,
spoke to the new NCOs. can require for advancement to sergeant or sta that are not ethical and morally right, we lead by value of a noncommissioned o cer and it in-person P.E. e positive culture that the sta and he would love to be a Mechanic. TVIS is so happy Joe is
Both Fedorisin and Sprunger shared with the sergeant is 800 according to the Army’s promo- example, and build cohesive teams by implement- de nitely shows everyone around it’s valuable students demonstrate is amazing at TVIS. part of our Timberwolf Family!
attendees that they were fortunate to participate tion point worksheet, which breaks down points ing ‘ is is My Squad initiatives,’” Blash said. and shouldn’t be forgotten.”

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