Hot Topics:     

Road Closure  

Access to the Child Development Center will change Monday starting at 6 a.m. due to the tie-in construction on Hoff Street. Access for the CDC will be off of 1st Division Road via the newly constructed segment of Hoff Street.  Construction on Hoff Street is expected to take two weeks. Access to Love Dental Clinic will remain unchanged.   

CAA scholarships

The Georgia Department of Labor CAA pilot program was extended and has 50 additional scholarships. This program offers Fort Benning spouses of Army active-duty up to $6,000 for continuing education. Briefings are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 2 p.m. in Building 2611 of Soldiers' Plaza. For more information and eligibility requirements, call the Benning CAA office at 706-545-6075.

Upcoming:

Pine Mountain Trail   

The Pine Mountain Trail Association is hosting work days to clear Pine Mountain trails affected by recent bad weather. So far, 18,330 feet of trails have been cleared and 3,050 feet remain. Upcoming workdays are July 23 and Aug. 20. Volunteers should bring drinks, snacks, gloves and wear long pants. For more information, call 706-325-0497.  

Free lunches

Free lunches are available weekdays through July 15 for anyone younger than 18. Meals are served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Faith Middle School, McBride Elementary School and Wilson Elementary School and must be consumed on the premises.    Menus are available at www.am.dodea.edu  

/benning   

The challenge of information overload and how to teach people differently was the concept for the two-day Learning and Technology Symposium.     

Co-sponsored by the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Columbus State University, the symposium's theme, Implementing the Army Learning Concept for 2015 at the Maneuver Center of Excellence, looked at using technology to improve Army training.     

Maj. Gen. Robert Brown, MCoE commanding general, spoke about the challenge of breaking the current training paradigm and how to effectively apply the Army Learning Concept, which is the Army's vision of how to train and educate Soldiers and leaders in individual knowledge, skills, attributes, and abilities to execute full-spectrum operations in an era of persistent conflict.     

The challenge for this generation, every day, is the overwhelming amounts of information, Brown said, and the ALC is about changing the way the Army teaches.    

"You can't teach it by lecturing on a podium," he said. "You teach it by immersing students, letting them try and letting them fail. You have to be student learning-centric, not instructor-centric. You have to use simulations. ... We have the technology today to immerse people and to integrate them into an environment."     

Using the video game Call of Duty to illustrate his point, avatars are one way to link virtual and live, Brown said.    "Everyone is a superstar in the virtual world," he said.

Soldiers will be issued an avatar that replicates their qualities, with their marksmanship and PT abilities. If they're eating doughnuts and are behind their buddies, they will be behind in the game. It's linked, he said.     

What still needs to be figured out is how much should be blended training and how much should be live, Brown said. See the July 20 edition of The Bayonet for more on the symposium.

Featured stories in this week's Bayonet  

New Secretary of Defense takes oath 

Fort Benning, USAMU remember Soldier  

The U.S. Armor School changes command 

Celebrating freedom, 4th of July, Fort Benning style 

UGA offers free nutrition classes to Soldiers, civilians 

New fitness, recreation center opens  

Room to roam, close to home

Click here to read this week's Bayonet  

(note:  it may take a few minutes to download the paper)  

What is Comprehensive Soldier Fitness?

Comprehensive Soldier Fitness is a long term strategy that better prepares the Army community - including all Soldiers, Family members, and the Department of the Army Civilian workforce - to not only survive, but also thrive at a cognitive and behavioral level in the face of protracted warfare and everyday challenges of Army life that are common in the 21st Century.

The program, based on 30-plus years of scientific study and results, uses individual assessments, virtual training, classroom training, and embedded resilience experts to provide the critical skills our Soldiers, Family members and Army Civilians need.

Conceptually, while CSF is largely focused on training skill sets, it also delves into root causes of emotion, thought, and action - what psychologists refer to as "meta-cognition". With this in mind, CSF serves as a programmatic first step towards training members of the Army community to understand how and why they think a certain way. Once people begin to understand this, they are best postured to change their thoughts and actions to strategies that are positive, adaptive, and desirable for both the person and the Army.   

There are five dimensions to strength, which CSF focuses on: Family, Spiritual, Social, Physical and Emotional. This week's focus is on the Social aspect.

Video by Fort Benning Television

• Comprehensive Resilience Modules--online training modules focusing on specific resilience skills. Comprehensive Soldier Fitness has released 20 CRMs, covering the five dimensions of strength (social, emotional, spiritual, and family). Each module takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Completing any of the modules is optional.  

• Master Resilience Trainer Course--a 10-day resilience train-the-trainer course is offered in three formats: TDY at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA; TDY at Victory University at Fort Jackson, SC; or Mobile Training Team at an Army facility. Usually senior Staff Sergeants or Sergeants First Class serving in platoon sergeant or brigade staff positions  are selected to attend the course, Upon graduation, these NCOs serve as the commander's primary resilience trainers for the unit. MRTs receive an Additional Skill Identifier at graduation, 8R. The initial Army requirement for MRTs, directed by the Army Chief of Staff, is to have one MRT in every battalion and brigade (or like-sized organization).

• Resilience Training--Training and Doctrine Command, CSF, and University of Pennsylvania are currently developing the Resilience Training program of instruction, which will eventually be implemented across all Noncommissioned Officer and Officer Education System schools, courses and training.  As a result, resilience training will occur across a Soldier's entire career, at every major career milestone.    

Click here to learn more about Comprehensive Soldier Fitness 

July 6, 2011 The Benning Report

In this edition:

• Armor Colors Uncasing                                     
• Garrison Commander Change of Command                              
• New Armor Commandant               
• Armor One Station Unit Training for CAV                                
• Change of Command (Comp)                 
• Drill Sgt of the Year                          
• Making of a Soldier: Combatives           
• Comprehensive Soldier Fitness: There's an App for that                       
• Uniform Changes                    
• Summer Youth Programs

New sexual assault, harassment program emerging

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- The Army is taking a stand against sexual harassment and assault with the implementation of a new program.

The Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program is a comprehensive integration and transformation of the Army's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program and Prevention of Sexual Harassment efforts. The SHARP program reinforces the Army's commitment to eliminating incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault through awareness and prevention, training, victim advocacy, reporting and accountability, said Master Sgt. Cory Wilson, SHARP noncommissioned officer-in-charge.

In order to enhance military readiness, productivity and unit cohesion and to stop sexual harassment and assault, the Army aims to achieve cultural change.

"The Army is moving to a culture of prevention instead of reacting. The U.S. Army's new policy now is to prevent, and that's why they have the SHARP program," Wilson said.

The program will be fully implemented by July 2012, but the installation will begin to see the shift from SAPR to SHARP as early as March.

By Cheryl Rodewig

 

The Family Life Chaplain Training Center recently welcomed a new group of five Soldier and five civilian resident counselors. One of three chaplain training centers in the Army (the other two are at Fort Bragg, N.C., and Fort Hood, Texas), Fort Benning's is the longest-running training center, said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jeff Voyles, director.    

The number of resident counselors varies, but they typically stay for about 18 months, said Karen Linden, administrative support assistant for the Family Life Chaplain Center.    It's good for the community, she said, since those seeking counselors have a range of people to choose from, including the resident counselors, the director and deputy director of the training center and the Family Life Chaplain.    

"We have 13 people here who all have different personalities, all have different skills ... and when they come together as a team, which they do everyday, they are unstoppable," Linden said. When Linden and her husband PCSed to Fort Benning in January, she was surprised to find out all the center had to offer.     

"It's a hidden jewel," she said. "I'm blown away by how amazing this place is. There's so much knowledge and experience. The confidentiality we have here is great. That's a huge thing I find when I talk with people; people are so afraid about coming to a counselor because they're afraid of either being judged or someone finding out. We do not keep records. We don't have a reporting system. No one will judge. They can come here safe and confident."     

The center offers individual, couple, family and group counseling in 13 subject areas: premarital, marital, divorce recovery, blended family, communication, conflict resolution, parenting, anger and stress management, spiritual, addiction, child therapy, combat and grief. There's no cost, no pre-approval process and unlimited sessions, Linden said.    Counseling offers an opportunity for dialogue, which helps a person grow, versus monologue which isn't helpful and keeps the person alone, Voyles said.     

"When an individual seeks help through counseling, they are opening up that dialog with someone who cares," he said.  "Dialogue can help validate a person's thoughts and feelings. The person - through dialogue with a counselor - realizes their issue is common life struggles that many others are also facing. They are not alone. This gives a person hope which builds their emotional resiliency."     

All the counselors, including the students, have professional experience and they "truly understand and really listen," Linden said. "We also offer customized workshops and support groups," she said. "We can work with units to develop a workshop to assist their Soldiers and Family members. We're looking into offering different training programs for individuals ... marriage classes, parenting classes, leadership and personal development."     

Those interested in a support group, workshop, class or counseling are welcome to stop by the Family Life Chaplain Center in Building 2606 in Soldiers' Plaza.  

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 706-545-1760.

DoD announces Iraq, Afghanistan campaign stars

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2011 -- Bronze campaign stars are now authorized for servicemembers who have served in Iraq since Sept. 1, 2010, or in Afghanistan since Dec. 1, 2009, Defense Department officials announced today.

The new campaign stars, worn on the Iraq and Afghanistan campaign medals, recognize service during Operation New Dawn in Iraq and the Consolidation III campaign phase in Afghanistan.  

Operation New Dawn began Sept. 1, 2010, marking the official end of Operation Iraqi Freedom and U.S. combat operations in Iraq and a new focus on advising, assisting and training Iraqi security forces.

The Consolidation III campaign in Afghanistan began Dec. 1, 2009, the date President Barack Obama committed to sending 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan with a plan to begin drawing down that force in July. The services will announce implementing instructions to their members about wear of the new campaign stars.

Servicemembers who have qualified for the Iraq Campaign Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal may display a bronze campaign star on their medal for each campaign phase in which they participated. A silver campaign star is issued in lieu of five bronze stars.  Six other campaign phases were previously identified for Iraq, and three in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, they are:

-- Liberation of Iraq, March 19 to May 1, 2003

-- Transition of Iraq, May 2, 2003 to June 28, 2004

-- Iraqi Governance, June 29, 2004 to Dec. 15, 2005

-- National Resolution, Dec. 16, 2005 to Jan. 9, 2007

-- Iraqi Surge, Jan. 10, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2008

-- Iraqi Sovereignty, Jan. 1, 2009 to Aug. 31, 2010

In Afghanistan, the previously identified campaign phases are:

-- Liberation of Afghanistan, Sept. 11 to Nov. 30, 2001

-- Consolidation I, Dec. 1, 2001 to Sept. 30, 2006

-- Consolidation II, Oct. 1, 2006 to Nov. 30, 2009

The Defense Department first authorized campaign stars for service in Iraq and Afghanistan in April 2008.

Upcoming DFMWR events:

Taking care of the best military community in the Army!

2011 Army Arts & Crafts Contest 

Compete for cash prizes against the best artists in the Army. Enter your original drawing, painting, digital art, sculpture, jewelry and more in the 2011 Army Arts & Crafts Contest at https://artscrafts.fmwrc.army.mil. You will find a complete list of rules at arts.armymwr.com. Contest ends June 30.

Mountain Bike Race

The annual Mountain Bike Race, part of the 2011 Endorphin Endurance Series, will start at 8 a.m. July 9 at the Bike Trail adjacent to the Fitness Trail on 1st Division Road near the Dixie Road intersection. There will be two classes in this event, a one lap, 5.5 mile course and a two lap, 11 mile course. Prizes will be awarded in each class. Registration fee is $25. Register at Smith Fitness Center.  This event is open to the public. For more information, call 706-604-4039.  

Used Vehicle Auction

NAF Property Branch will host a used vehicle auction at 9 a.m. July 15 at Building 2384 on Prussman Street. You can preview these vehicles from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 13 and 14. All vehicles will be sold "as is," without warranty. We accept VISA/MasterCard, cash or check if it is accompanied by a bank letter to guarantee a specific amount and date. For more information, call 706-545-2348/1083.

Whitewater Adventure 

Tennessee's Ocoee River is the most popular whitewater rafting destination in America, with more than 20 continuous rapids for miles and miles of endless fun. Join us for a whitewater adventure July 16-17, August 12-13 and September 9-10. The cost, $125, covers transportation, accommodations, rafting and lunch on the river. Register today! Must be 12 or older to participate. Call 706-545-7978.

Extreme Zipline 

Outdoor Recreation will host two Extreme Zipline Tours to Banning Mills in Whitesburg, Ga. The trips are scheduled from 7:15 a.m.-5 p.m. July 23 and August 6. The $85 fee covers four hours of ziplining, roundtrip transportation and lunch. (BOSS Soldiers pay only $65 for the July 23 trip.) These trips fill up fast - register today! For more information, call 706-545-7978. 

TGIF

The Benning Conference Center's Concord Lounge hosts "TGIF"  the second Friday of each month at 4:30 p.m.  Don't miss the fun.

Archery shoots

Uchee Creek hosts competitive archery shoots the second Saturday of each month at 9 a.m.  This event is open to the public. For more info, call 706-685-3060.

Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs for $5 

We have a limited number of spaces available for the August 12 trip to Atlanta to see the Braves take on the Cubs. Your $5 pays for transportation and your ticket to the game. This is NOT just for single Soldiers. Must be 12 or older to participate. Register at the Kelley Hill Recreation Center or call 706-545-1411.

Paintball 

Spend your next training holiday playing paintball in the Woodlands off Dixie Road, between 1st Division and Soldiers Plaza. Rent paintball equipment at Outdoor Recreation while supplies last. Form a team and challenge another unit or group. Paintball tournaments are scheduled Friday and Sept. 2. To register, call 706-545-9636.

Disney World 

Soldiers and family members 18 and older are invited to participate in a weeklong trip to Disney World Sept. 2-6. The cost of this trip, $320, covers roundtrip transportation, accommodations at the Shades of Green resort and a four day park hopper pass. This trip, sponsored by the BOSS program, is not exclusive to single Soldiers. Register at the Kelley Hill Recreation Center or call 706-544-1411. You may pay by installments. 

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