FORT CARSON, Colo. — A 22nd Human Resource Company player throws the ball home to get a runner out July 9, 2021, during the championship game of the 4th Battalion kickball game. (Photo by Walt Johnson)
By Walt Johnson
Mountaineer staff
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Members of the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, combined training for its Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, (SHARP) with physical fitness activities July 9, 2021 at Iron Horse Park on post.
The brigade took part in a kickball contest that had a unique twist to it, according to 2nd Lt. Jada Hitchens, 22nd Human Resource Company SHARP unit victim advocate officer. Hitchens said the Soldiers were given a question to answer about what would constitute sexual harassment or assault and they had to correctly answer it before they were allowed to take a turn to kick.
SHARP is designed to help the Army prevent sexual harassment and sexual assaults before they occur, according to Hitchens. She said the Army’s goal is to eliminate sexual assaults and sexual harassment by creating a climate that respects the dignity of every member of the Army Family.
“One of the biggest reasons we thought kickball would be a good sport to use in conjunction with our quarterly training was the chance to combine fitness with education. We want our Soldiers to understand whether you are on duty or off duty you should know what constitutes sexual harassment or sexual assault,” Hitchens said.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. 1st Class Miquel Marquez, incoming battalion sexual assault response coordinator NCO, questions Soldiers before taking a turn at the kickball tournament July 9, 2021. (Photo by Walt Johnson)
Hitchens said the brigade is seeking ways to incorporate athletics with SHARP awareness each quarter during its quarterly training. She said kickball was chosen for this quarter’s event because, in addition to the athletic benefit the Soldiers will get, it also taught them to tag people correctly and in line with SHARP directives.
“Our goal is to incorporate SHARP training with a physical fitness event, so we came up with the idea of having this kickball tournament. As we all know, sexual harassment is not tolerated in the Army, and we want to make sure our Soldiers are aware of what constitutes sexual harassment so it can be prevented beforehand. We want our Soldiers to be aware of what constitutes sexual harassment. Where someone can touch you on your body that constitutes sexual harassment and what constitutes sexual assault on your body,” Hitchens said.