Soldiers in Europe Conduct Virtual Basic Leader Course

April 30, 2020 | BY ARMY SGT. 1ST CLASS JOY DULEN

Due to the onset of COVID-19, classrooms around the world had to drastically change the way they do business. The Army classroom followed suit by embracing the worldwide move to a virtual learning environment to engage its students around the globe.

Junior enlisted soldiers stationed near Kaiserslautern, Germany, are taking part in the first virtual Basic Leader Course being taught in 20 different classrooms across four countries in Europe by instructors with the 7th Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy out of Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Although the primary blocks of instruction are being taught virtually, two Army Reserve noncommissioned officers from the 7th Mission Support Command volunteered to fill all the hands-on leadership gaps as assistant instructors for their students attending the class in Daenner Kaserne, Kaiserslautern, Germany.

''We're assisting with any type of computer issues or any follow-on questions,'' said Army Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Chefan, a detachment sergeant with the 446th Transportation Battalion, 510th Regional Support Group, 7th MSC, and a Basic Leader Course assistant instructor. ''But we're also doing all the grading for physical readiness training, drill and ceremony, and the day-to-day. … The formations, the accountability, the leadership evaluations, that's on us.''

The Basic Leader Course is a required four-week Army leadership course for junior enlisted soldiers who are working to become sergeants. Though it's never been done virtually with locally based assistant instructors, training leaders is nothing new for these 7th Mission Support Command noncommissioned officers, who worked together previously as instructors at the Fort McCoy Noncommissioned Officer Academy in Wisconsin.

''Basic Leader Course requires more hands-on [training], so I think it's been working well with me and Sergeant 1st Class Chefan, because we have the experience as BLC instructors, and we know what's expected,'' said Army Sgt. 1st Class Roi Cavan, the human resources noncommissioned officer in charge with the 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, and Basic Leader Course assistant instructor. ''That's the part with leadership, where we need to be here physically. We need to be with the students, because how are they going to get that experience of becoming an NCO without experiencing it through a training environment.''

Abiding by local social distancing guidelines, students in the Daenner Kaserne class are still being evaluated on many different types of leadership roles, from formations and marching to classroom cleanliness.

''I think it's cool to be here in Germany with the first virtual BLC for class instruction,'' said Army Spc. Nicholas Hpkins, a biomedical equipment technician with U.S. Army Medical Center Europe, and a Basic Leader Course student. ''But when we're here, we still have that in-person leadership that helps us develop.''

Cavan and Chefan agree that training to lead, whether virtually or physically, is the fun stuff for NCOs, and it's in their comfort zones.

''You don't really get to lead and train troops all the time, but we're going back to the basics here where we can build that foundation of what an NCO is supposed to be,'' Cavan said. ''And we're hitting both components, active and reserve, so that's really awesome.''

''We're all going through this together,'' Chefan said. ''It's cool to be a part of history.''

(Army Sgt. 1st Class Joy Dulen is assigned to 7th Mission Support Command.)

FBI Memphis Honors Nashville Predators NHL Team with Director’s Community Leadership Award

MEMPHIS, TN – The FBI Memphis Field Office is pleased to announce the Nashville Predators as the recipient of the 2019 Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). The Nashville Predators, a NHL ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee, build philanthropic partnerships within the community to improve the lives of youth and their families.

“The FBI is proud to present the Nashville Predators with this award,” said Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers of the Memphis Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “The Nashville Predators are an engaged partner in the community and have made a significant impact on middle Tennessee and beyond. Their commitment is seen through the many programs they have developed to support local charities and organizations.”

The Nashville Predators consistently demonstrate outstanding contributions to the community through service. During the 2018-19 season, the Predators exceeded their goal of 8,000 volunteer hours. Every member of the Predators organization gave back to the community throughout the season—from ownership and players to management and staff, and GNASH, the Predators mascot.

The FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award was formally created in 1990 to honor individuals and organizations for their extraordinary contributions to the prevention of crime and violence in the community. Every year FBI field offices around the country select a community partner to receive the award. The FBI Memphis Field Office recognized Dismas House last year for their efforts to provide temporary housing and support services for individuals transitioning from prisons and jails.

For more information about this prestigious award, please see https://www.fbi.gov/about/community-outreach/dcla.

The FBI Announces the Foundry as the Recipient of the 2019 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award

Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith is pleased to announce The Foundry as the recipient of the 2019 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for the Cleveland Field Division.
The Foundry founders Mike Trebilcock, Chairman and CEO of MCPc, a technology consulting company based in Cleveland, and his wife, Gina, had a vision to build a nonprofit rowing facility that would be accessible for youth of all income levels in Cleveland through outreach programs, and which would also be a world-class rowing facility that would attract and breed national talent. The Foundry’s grand opening celebration was held in September 2017.
Since then, the Foundry has embraced the community through various outreach events centered around rowing and sailing. Some highlighted outreach events from 2019 include:

• provided field trips to students from the “Positive Education Program”, an alternative education and partial hospitalization program with students with special needs, to experience the health and behavioral benefits, along with the fun rowing can bring.
• facilitated a sailing program for visually impaired persons and veterans during the summer of 2019.
• conducted a “rowing academy” for middle school students with Urban Community School.
• partnered with “After School All Stars” to provide rowing and sailing opportunities to students from Woodhill, a part of the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority.
• continued to provide facilities for “School of One”, a school operated through the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, primarily comprised of African American students that receive their education plus an emphasis on giving back to the community.
• hosted Coffee with Cops, where local, state and federal law enforcement officials, school aged students and members of the community attended in an effort to foster a continuing, effective community building relationship.

The Foundry continues to set the standard by identifying key organizations that can assist them in providing resources and training to the community. By being a key partner in the community they are able to bring together private entities, schools, politicians and law enforcement officials. These conversations continue to have a positive impact on the community.

The DCLA was formally created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in the community. Visit the FBI website at www.fbi.gov for details on the people and organizations who have most recently been recognized around the country for their service above and beyond the call of duty to help keep America and its kids safe.

The Foundry joins the ranks of former Cleveland recipients: Anita Gray, The Fatima Family Center, Robby’s Voice, Dr. Tom Collins, Yvonne Pointer, Fred Szabo, Jimmy Malone, the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, and Toledo’s Second Chance organization.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith said, “It is a privilege to honor The Foundry with the 2019 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. Our Northern Ohio communities have benefited greatly from the commitment of each of these incredible leaders. On behalf of the FBI, I want to thank The Foundry for the services they have provided and continue to provide to our community, these types of outreach strengthen all of our partnerships.”

For any questions regarding the FBI’s Community Outreach Program, visit www.fbi.gov or contact Cleveland FBI’s Community Outreach Program at 216.522.1400.

For questions regarding this press release, please contact SA Vicki Anderson at 216-522-1400 or at vagregg@fbi.gov.

WVStrong: Making it through COVID-19 together: Opinion piece by Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, The Adjutant General of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, WV, UNITED STATES

04.18.2020

Story by Maj. Holli Nelson

Normally, emergencies and disasters are fast to strike, and conclude fairly quickly. Normally, there is an easily visible threat to combat during disasters such as floodwaters and debris, destroyed buildings and homes, downed power lines and snowed-in access roads. Today however, West Virginia, the United States, and the entire planet are fighting an invisible disaster that threatens healthcare systems, economies, and the very way we as humans live our lives.

Yet even in this time of great uncertainty and unprecedented change, there remains hope.

COVID-19 has and will test societal limits and norms we have all come to expect. Daily routines... whether it be school, work, play and entertainment, or even worship... have been changed for weeks and months on end. Plans for weddings, proms, graduations, birthday parties, and any number of social events we often revolve our lives and calendars around have in many cases fallen victim to the need for social distancing and our concerted efforts to help slow the spread of this disease support our ultimate goal to save lives and protect the most vulnerable in our state.

All of us share mutual bonds that unite us across the divides of humanity. Each of us has encountered and endured challenges, some seemingly overwhelming, in our lifetimes. From losing a loved one, to a stark and frightening medical diagnosis, to a loss of job or income, each of us has faced dark times that left us searching for mission and purpose. Today, we as individuals and as West Virginians are sharing a common challenge.

We will make it through this together.

As Mountaineers, we have a long and proud heritage of taking care of each other during times of crisis and need. The COVID-19 response has been no different. Volunteers, government agencies, and our educational, business and non-profit communities have stepped up in countless ways to make sure hungry children are fed, elderly residents are safe, and that our first responders and medical professionals on the front lines of this pandemic are getting the things they need to remain safe as they serve. Across the state, the true heart of West Virginians is shining.

COVID-19 response will be with us for an unknown amount of time. Full recovery, both economic and societal, may take many, many years.

As we go through this unprecedented time, it is my hope that we can take time to step back, reevaluate, and begin to appreciate those things in our lives that truly give us purpose, and to enable ourselves as individuals and as a state to experience positive growth.

Take time each day during this crisis to reflect on those things in your life that bring happiness and joy. Look for ways to thank and appreciate others. Look for ways to adapt to new changes. Look to the needs of others, and for ways you can use your unique interests, skills, and talents to contribute and become a positive spark in your community. Look for ways to move yourself, your families, your friends, and your communities forward.

Being Adjutant General to the more than 6,400 Soldiers, Airmen and civilians that make up the West Virginia National Guard gives me the unique opportunity and capacity to, along with Governor Justice and our state leadership, direct the movements of our resources across all 55 counties to have incredible positive impacts during times of emergency and disaster. Over the past few weeks, our Guardsmen and women have been to every county delivering medical supplies, helping with food preparation and distribution, training medical staff, retail workers and others on proper personal protective equipment (PPE) use and wear, and a host of other response efforts including medical testing and epidemiological monitoring and operations. We are partnering with local, state, and federal partners and volunteer organizations to bring innovative and just-in-time resources to the battlefield against COVID-19 and are building sustained surge capabilities across the state for the duration of this crisis.

Under each and every West Virginia National Guard uniform is a fellow West Virginian always ready, always dedicated to serve our state and nation. I couldn’t be prouder. I want to promise each person that reads these words that the West Virginia National Guard is here now and will be here throughout the duration of this crisis to work with all our partners as force multipliers for the State of West Virginia.

We will make it through this together. While there are trying times ahead, full of uncertainty and fear, there remains hope, and reasons to be positive. In the coming weeks and months, may we concentrate on those things and all of us become and remain the positive catalysts that move us forward.

This is our time to show the nation and the world not just what a great place we are, but how innovation, creating and caring West Virginians are. As we say in the West Virginia National Guard, let’s show our Mountaineer Pride Worldwide!