Photo By Staff Sgt. Adam Decker | Żagań, Poland (Apr 17, 2019) - Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company,...... read more read more
Devil 6, ‘Call to Arms’ to eliminate sexual assault
ZAGAN, Poland – Col. Charles S. Armstrong, commander, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division traveled to eight bases in Poland, Hungary, and Romania to engage Soldiers about sexual harassment and assault from Mar. 19, to Apr. 17, 2019.
Col. Armstrong spoke passionately with 1 ABCT Soldiers and started each conversation by acknowledging that the Army has a problem with sexual assault. He shared real examples of incidents in the brigade and described the immense damage that sexual assault has on individual victims and the entire community.
“He spoke with genuine feeling and used examples from his Army career. He wants everyone to be more responsive within the unit,” said Spc. Dillon Niffen, a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic, assigned to Echo Co., 1st Engineer Battalion, 1 ABCT. “This topic is truly important…. It affects me more knowing it is a problem in our unit.”
The visits were a ‘call to arms,’ challenging 1 ABCT Soldiers to take action and end sexual harassment and assault in the brigade.
“The personal vignettes really stood out and made an impression that the issue is real and close to home.
It will be a team effort of empowered people at every level to fix the issue,” said Maj. Edward Harrison, brigade fire support officer in Headquarters and Headquarters Co. 1 ABCT, 1 Inf. Div. “The lowest level of the team will have the largest affect as they discuss the issue amid peers and fix sexual harassment issues before they become sexual assaults.”
Col. Armstrong explained how competence can be mistaken for good character, allowing high-performing people from all walks of life, including politicians, film producers, and Soldiers to use their good reputation to protect themselves from accusations of sexual harassment and assault. He vowed that all accusations in 1 ABCT will be acted upon no matter who is making the accusation, and who is accused.
“Col. Armstrong’s passion encourages our Soldiers to share that passion and become empowered to take action and speak up,” said 1st Sgt. Brandon Reid, first sergeant from B. Co., 1st Eng, Bat.
Col. Armstrong described the changing perceptions of sexual harassment throughout his life. He noted some progress, evidenced by the fact that he serves alongside so many women who in years past would not have had opportunities to serve their country. He also made it clear how far we have to go, and stated that this problem will not fix itself, that every Soldier must take a stand to refuse to tolerate sexual harassment, and to report individuals who do not live up the highest standards of respect and character.
“We need to at least do something; if we see something then we should say something or even intervene,” said Sgt. Margaret Kossmann, 3rd Battalion 66th Armor Regiment. “We wouldn’t want something said about or to happen to a close friend or a family member. In the Army, it is the same way with our brothers and sisters in arms.”
These emotional discussions served to reinvigorate the ongoing efforts of 1 ABCT to eliminate sexual assault and harassment. Leaders throughout the brigade will continue to be accountable for creating command climates that discourage harassment, and encourage reporting.
“The topic is important year round and through discussion we can change the culture and find ways to fix it,” said 2nd Lt. Seo Young Huh, the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear officer assigned to 1st Squadron 4th Cavalry Regiment. “Col. Armstrong made it relevant to our unit and our mission.”
| Date Taken: | 04.19.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.20.2019 04:07 |
| Story ID: | 318838 |
| Location: | PL |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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