Photo By Chuck Cannon | Staff Sgt. James Gilman, left, and Spc. Whitten Stoverink, center, are applauded by...... read more read more
FORT POLK, La. — Army boards promote knowledge and encourage a Soldier’s thirst to succeed by garnering promotion points and fostering a competitive spirit. But the Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention Warrior Board also teaches Soldiers the importance of looking out for one another when sexual harassment or assault occurs.
The winners of this year’s SHARP Warrior Board are both members of the 519th Military Police Battalion — Staff Sgt. James Gilman won first place in the noncommissioned officer board and Spc. Whitten Stoverink won first place for the lower enlisted board.
This is the second year the SHARP Board winners were chosen from the ranks of the 519th MP Bn. Col. Sonja Whitehead, 519th MP Bn commander, attributed that success to a climate of camaraderie within the unit and a trust and regard for the SHARP program’s principles.
“This MP unit lives and breathes prevention and stomping out sexual harassment and assault wherever they go,” she said.
Gilman and Stoverink were presented with certificates, Army commendation medals, coins and gift cards during the 519th formation June 7.
Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. David W. Bass, Fort Polk command sergeant major, were in attendance to congratulate the winners and present their awards.
Frank said it’s no surprise that these two Soldiers come from the 519th MP Bn.
“Sexual harassment and assault happen everywhere. It’s all around us. It’s in our formations, barracks and homes. It’s right in front of us. You see it, you stop it and you have the confidence to encourage other bystanders to step forward. These two guys have the confidence to do that,” said Frank.
“They have done an exceptional job. When you look at them, you can tell they are leaders.”
Gilman said he chose to participate in the SHARP Warrior Board because he likes the competitiveness of boards.
“I’ve participated in several boards and I like to challenge myself as well as represent my battalion and what we stand for,” he said. “SHARP is a huge focus for us.”
Gilman said sexual harassment and assault isn’t welcome in the ranks. It affects unit morale, causes problems throughout the chain of command and damages trust.
“So, knowing the steps to eliminate it and prevent it before it starts is important,” he said.
It always feels good to win, said Gilman.
“I just want to represent the battalion and our MPs to the best of my ability,” he said.
For Stoverink, the whole point of the board is to try to win, but also show that he has a good understanding of the SHARP program.
“I wanted to succeed and prove that I can help stop SHARP incidents within our community,” he said. “If we don’t have people within our ranks who are willing to step forward in a SHARP situation then those incidents will go unreported and hurt the Army as a whole.”
Stoverink said winning has given him the confidence to know he can participate in other boards and be successful.
“Preparing for the board was tough but worth it.
“Once you begin the board it’s nerve-racking but if you have studied and prepared to the best of your ability and go into the board with confidence, you have a good chance of winning,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2019 12:00 |
| Story ID: | 327895 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 232 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 519th Military Police Battalion Soldiers sweep SHARP boards, by Angie Thorne, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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