FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (March 10, 2021) — The U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood kicked off their extremism stand down this week with Army Profession training taking place now through March 31 as part of the Department of Defense and Army mandates.
According to Maj. Matthew Songe, MSCoE operations officer, the primary focus of the training, which is required for all Soldiers and DA civilians, is to address behaviors that affect unit cohesion and to “facilitate informative discussions among participants.”
“The main themes and messages of the training are the importance of the oath of office, policy related to extremism … impermissible behaviors, and how to identify, report and prevent extremism behavior,” Songe said. “Specific topics will cover sexual assault and harassment, racism, extremism and suicide prevention.”
To help make the training available to all Soldiers and DA civilians on post, Songe said MSCoE developed a plan using “multiple training events around the installation with maximum leader participation.”
The training began today as Army Training and Doctrine Command senior leaders and staff facilitated a discussion on the Army Profession with command teams and leaders.
Maj. Gen. James Bonner, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, attended TRADOC’s session and stressed the importance of the stand down.
“Along with our headquarters, we are re-training the entire team — military and civilian — in the values we have always held,” Bonner said. “DoD places the highest importance on treating every person with dignity and respect, in an inclusive environment, free from discrimination and extremism. Service members and civilians alike must report and reject any part of these activities. We are part of the world’s greatest profession and must hold ourselves to the highest standards of character and conduct.”
The next focused training is scheduled for March 11 and 12 when MSCoE Equal Opportunity advisors will conduct “train the trainer” events for unit Equal Opportunity advisors and senior leaders.
“These sessions are important because leaders will be involved in the Army Profession training — unit training is going to be conducted by leaders at all levels with oversight by senior leaders and organizational Equal Opportunity Advisors,” Songe said. “Leaders will go around their organizations as training is occurring and will help facilitate the discussions.”
Following the “train the trainer” sessions, units will conduct Army Profession training for their personnel. For units that do not have EOAs, training will be available:
— 9 to 11 a.m., March 22 at Lincoln Hall Auditorium;
— 1 to 3 p.m., March 23 at the Main Post Chapel;
— 9 to 11 a.m., March 24 at the Main Post Chapel;
— 1 to 3 p.m., March 25 at Lincoln Hall Auditorium;
— and from 9 to 11 a.m., March 26 at the Main Post Chapel.
The goal is to have all Soldiers and DA civilians on Fort Leonard Wood complete the Army Profession training by March 31, Songe said.
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About Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 80,000 military and civilians each year.
Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.
Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.
More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission