Taking a hard look

Trust, diversity, values: Be a 'model' to others

Story by Jim Hoeft | TRADOC Communication Directorate

FORT EUSTIS, Va. — Ethical leadership was the topic of discussion Wednesday as retired Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, president and CEO, Association of the United States Army, visited U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command during its monthly leader professional development webinar.
Ham and TRADOC Commanding General Paul E. Funk II took a hard look at how the Army builds trust in its leaders, develops its ethics, trains its personnel to make difficult decisions, and instills values in all its professionals.
“It’s important for Army professionals, uniformed and civilian, to every now and then take pause and think seriously about the profession of arms. Think about what it is you have committed yourself to. And have a serious conversation about what that Army ethic is,” Ham said about why he wanted to participate in the webinar.
Funk felt Ham was an ideal guest to bring clarity to the topic.
“Professionals study their profession. Ethical leadership is the bedrock of our Army Profession. There is no guy better to do that than Carter Ham,” Funk said.
He also said that the Army is based on values and trust. “We get the privilege to wear the cloth of our nation. Every day we have to lead. And this is the jersey of the greatest team on earth.”
With more than 1,400 people watching live, the generals shared how ethics has played a role in their careers as well as improving the Army, including developing organizational transparency, and highlighting the importance of diversity in creating an organizational ethic.
In explaining how a diverse force can have a common ethic, Funk said, “You have doctrine to start with. And then from there you do training and try to discuss some of these (ethical) dilemmas before you have them.” He also mentioned the importance of training exercises, simulations, and the after action review.
“We have to build on these diverse experiences to show the richness and depth of the expertise we have in our force,” Funk said.
Ham added that there is an institutional recognition that “the backgrounds, experiences, cultures, beliefs, practices of a very diverse Army brings tremendous strength to that Army.”
But he also added that doctrine can only take the profession so far in terms of understanding Army values.
“It is important for Army professionals, uniformed and civilian, to understand doctrine; the doctrinal underpinning for what the Army does, what the Army is, and for particular aspects of Army operations. But that’s not enough. That’s the baseline of what each Army professional must possess,” he said.
“When you combine that doctrinal knowledge and understanding, which is facilitated by small group discussions, and then you combine it with the examples like [Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant] David Bellavia…when you combine that doctrinal understanding with personal examples of the Army values, that’s when you really start to get something.”
Ham also added that creating a culture within units to have open and respectful conversations is important.
“The senior leader has to make it clear by actions and by words that it is ok to have this open and free
dialogue,” he said. TRUST

Photo by Pfc. Vincent Levelev | 49th PAD

Commanding officers of the 82nd Airborne Division participate in the ceremonial passing of the unit colors at the Hall of Heroes, Jan. 11. Colonel Theodore Kleisner is the incoming brigade commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div.

New commander takes the reins of 1st BCT

Story by Pfc. Vincent Levelev | 49th PAD

Paratroopers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division welcomed their new commander Col. Theodore W. Kleisner during a change of command ceremony at the Hall of Heroes on Fort Bragg, Jan. 11. Kleisner took the reins from Col. Andrew O. Saslav as the brigade commander.
Kleisner, a native of Savannah, Georgia and a United States Military Academy at West Point graduate, previously served as the commander of the United States European Command Levant Future Operations Planning Branch. Kleisner is a father of three and married to Susan Kleisner.
“To assume command of 1st Brigade is an awesome mandate that I humbly accept, and I accept with excitement,” Kleisner said.
Saslav, the outgoing brigade commander, is a native of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey and a graduate of George Washington University. Saslav, prior to serving as the commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, served as an operations officer in the 4th Infantry Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. During his tenure as brigade commander, Saslav led the ‘Devil Brigade’ during their historic no-notice deployment to the Central Command theater of operations, marking the first combat deployment of the Immediate Response Force in 30 years.
“Commanding the ‘Devils in Baggy Pants’ has been the honor of my professional life,” said Saslav during his farewell speech. “It is very simply the most rewarding and humbling thing the Army has ever passed upon me.”
Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of the 82nd Abn. Div., expressed his gratitude for Saslav’s and Kleisner’s leadership in the division, and his excitement for the incoming brigade commander.
“Today we recognize two incredible leaders,” Donahue said. “We look forward to Kleisner taking this brigade to the next level.” 1ST BCT

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

News

Paratroopers among first to test new marksman rifle

Story by Staff Sgt. Solomon Abanda | 82nd Abn. Div. PAO
Paratroopers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div. were among some of the first paratroopers to test the new Heckler & Koch M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR), which was fielded to every infantry battalion within the 1st BCT. RIFLE

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Certain veteran discharges to be under review

Article by U.S. Army Public Affairs
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has agreed to review the discharges of thousands of veterans affected by post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma or other behavioral health conditions. DISCHARGES

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Army to lead new strategy against drone attacks

Story by Joseph Lacdan | Army News Service
WASHINGTON —- In the future, drones could threaten U.S. defense systems with a swarming capability that uses artificial intelligence while leveraging 5G connectivity, the director of an Army-led joint office said . DRONE

Community

Garrison CMD Team, Soldiers plant for Arbor Day

Courtesy photo by Victor Washington | Fort Bragg Garrison PAO
The Fort Bragg Garrison Command Team joined the 25th QM Co. and the 264th CSSB during the installation’s Arbor Day ceremony. Col. Scott Pence, Command Sgt. Maj. William Lohmeyer and the Soldiers planted Willow trees and Purple Muhly Grass.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tax breaks for Family members with special needs

Article by Military OneSource
If you are filing taxes on behalf of yourself or a Family member with special needs, you may be eligible for certain tax breaks. Through Military OneSource MilTax, you can receive year-round access to consultants who have extensive tax knowledge. TAX

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parents have access to expanded child care service

Article by Military OneSource
To help meet the growing and diverse needs of military parents, the Department of Defense is proud to offer an expanded child care service for members and their Families. Military Families now have free access to a national database of caregivers. EXPANDED

Health and Wellness

DOD 'My MilLife Guide' program to boost wellness

Article by Connected Health Communications Office
Finding the right support to ease the stress of navigating daily COVID-19-related challenges can be a challenge itself. To support the military community, the Department of Defense recently launched — My MilLife Guide. WELLNESS

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TRICARE covers low back pain physical therapy

Article by TRICARE
Do you have acute or chronic low back pain? If the answer is yes, you aren’t alone. If you need physical therapy for low back pain, the Defense Health Agency established a demonstration. With the demonstration, TRICARE will waive cost-shares. PHYSICAL

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Learn what to do before, during pregnancy

Article by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Obesity increases the risk for serious birth defects and other pregnancy complications. Focus on a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity. Talk with your healthcare provider about ways to maintain a healthy weight. PREGNANCY

Taking a hard look

Trust, diversity, values: Be a 'model' to others

New commander takes the reins of 1st BCT

News

Paratroopers among first to test new marksman rifle

Certain veteran discharges to be under review

Army to lead new strategy against drone attacks

Community

Garrison CMD Team, Soldiers plant for Arbor Day

Tax breaks for Family members with special needs

Parents have access to expanded child care service

Health and Wellness

DOD 'My MilLife Guide' program to boost wellness

TRICARE covers low back pain physical therapy

Learn what to do before, during pregnancy