Page 20 - Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior 11-6-15

20 High Desert Warrior www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin
November 6, 2015

SHARP

Unit leaders discuss SHARP topics

Story and photo by Gustavo Bahena guide and/or mentor peers. A question that arose as reporting and intervention from
a result was: How do we enable squad leaders and
Public Affairs Office squad members with the ability to educate, train and bystanders. A culture problem exists,
resource their team members to identify potential
Company-level unit leaders gathered to dis- instances of harassment and assault and to intervene? but – per Army regulation – every
cuss and make recommendations in the battle
against sexual assault and sexual harassment Working group three generated recommenda- Soldier who observes a sexual assault
during a conference here in September. tions that included: finding the right, passionate
individuals to serve as sexual assault response should report it, said Martin.
Approximately 200 company commanders, first coordinators (Soldiers or civilian employees
sergeants and platoon leaders deliberated, within five can fill the role); moving SARCS to higher unit The NTC and Fort Irwin SHARP
working groups, a specific problem or question. The levels; creating a team panel of peers, with whom
conference was hosted by staff of the Sexual Harass- Soldiers can speak to about sexual harassment and manager, Maj. Michelle Agpalza, said
ment/Assault Response and Prevention program of sexual assault, and; creating or using additional
the National Training Center and Fort Irwin. advertising of reporting options for victims. that everybody is a bystander every

After the brainstorming sessions, each group devel- The additional four topics addressed by work- day. She asked the rhetorical question,
oped recommendations and briefed them to Maj. Gen. ing groups were: SHARP training for family mem-
JosephMartin,commanderoftheNTCandFortIrwin. bers seems to be non-existent; the training standard “At what point do we determine for
alone is not effective; the strong influence society
Martin opened the meeting with remarks, has, as a whole, as to what behaviors, conduct, ourselves when we step in?”
and provided feedback after the presentations. and attire is appropriate and acceptable – on duty
and off duty; SHARP program focus is centered “People need to understand that First Sgt. Aldo Gonzalez, of the 11th Armored Cavalry
Working group three tackled the question, on incident response/advocacy services with little to be a bystander and to report things Regiment, facilitates a discussion.
“How to overcome the barriers of reporting?” The focus on prevention and bystander intervention. – it’s a positive thing,” Agpalza said.
group stated that there are victims and bystanders,
who feel more comfortable speaking with peers Martin remarked on the topic of bystander “That’s what we’re looking for, because is acceptable and intervene in instances where they
regarding incidents of sexual harassment and sexual intervention and stated that Soldiers perform
assault; one reason is they feel they won’t be judged. courageously to help others in combat and you’re able to intervene and prevent something see unacceptable behavior and … refocus that indi-
hostile environments. There needs to be more
The group also expressed that there is a popula- from, either, getting out of control, or [preventing] vidual [to] more positive behaviors,” Agpalza said.
tion of junior enlisted personnel who have as much
education, experience and maturity in order to something bad from happening.” Creating a discussion among Soldiers about

Agpalza agreed a culture change is necessary, sexual assault and harassment is helpful, said Sgt.
because inappropriate behaviors are unacceptable, 1st Class Charles Smith, a maintenance trainer

counter to the Army Values and affect the overall with GoldminerTeam, Operations Group here. He

mission success. Education on what’s acceptable stated that discussions can be initiated in social me-

behavior can “create that culture change so we dia,whereoutsidecommunitiescanalsobeinvolved.

can get away from having to prevent” incidents. Getting junior Soldiers together to talk was

“What I would like to see happen during my one of the best suggestions from the conference,

time here is to achieve a culture change where said Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Williams, a medical

people understand and can emulate behavior that trainer with the Goldminer Team here.

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