By 1st Lt. Giovanna Camacho
4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
Max Pollack, Comprehensive Soldier Family Fitness, discusses character strength definitions with lieutenants during a recent 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Leadership Professional Development session. (Photo by 1st Lt. Giovanna Camacho)
Lieutenants with the 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, meet monthly to discuss leadership topics and participate in activities to build camaraderie.
The Leadership Professional Development (LPD) discussions over the past year have encompassed an executive officer class, character traits, current news articles, how to manage the boss, open question-and-answer sessions with the former battalion commander, maintaining grit, team building, leadership styles and an introduction to the incoming battalion commander. Activities have included kickball, soccer, wrestling, boxing, laser tag, resiliency group obstacles and an escape room.
Lt. Col. Eric McCoy, then commander of the 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, responds to questions during a monthly Leadership Professional Development session. (Photo by 1st Lt. Giovanna Camacho)
“These LPDs helped me have better organizational awareness,” said 1st Lt. Charles Zamor, Company A, 4th BSB. “They made me understand on a deeper level, the role and duties of a platoon leader and I have incorporated those lessons in my daily routine in dealing with my platoon sergeant and the rest of my platoon. These LPDs have also helped me interact with other lieutenants to make business easier for me within the battalion.”
The open discussions and group activities allowed the opportunity to meet fellow lieutenants, learn new skills to help hone their individual leadership skills and crosstalk problem areas. The leadership topics discussed were pertinent to daily activities and proved useful in establishing open lines of communication.
Lt. Col. Eric McCoy, former 4th BSB commander, consistently stressed to the lieutenants the importance of knowing those around them while working toward a common mission. He noted that people are more likely to help those they know. The lieutenants’ ability to learn together and bond during these meetings has helped to increase the battalion’s level of effectiveness in a kinetic battlefield.
Lieutenants from the 4th Brigade Support Battalion gather to play laser tag prior to a discussion on “How to Deal with Your Boss” during a monthly Leadershp Professional Development session. (Photo by 1st Lt. William Goins)
“What makes these LPDs different from others is that another (lieutenant) is in charge of coming up with events and dates,” said 1st Lt. Jezer Gonzalez, Company F, 4th BSB. “Our battalion commander gets input from our lieutenant representative to get an idea of what we want to learn and what we value the most, (so) it is tailored to us. I enjoy that we are able to do something unique for exercise in a smaller group setting that is more intense and fun. Going to breakfast after each event is great for camaraderie, especially when it is a new location in the local area that I haven’t been to.”
Lieutenants break the ice by conducting a fun activity in civilian attire followed by an open discussion in a relaxed setting which encourages individuals to open up and associate with their peers. Taking LPDs out of the standard conference room also keeps the lieutenants engaged in the discussion and increases morale, providing a change of pace from standard daily operations.
“Coming into this unit as my first unit I didn’t really have any idea what to expect as far as interactions with my peers and senior leadership,” said 1st Lt. Jordan Lenway, Company G, 4th BSB. “I have never experienced an LPD of this caliber and utterly enjoyed the time to interact with my fellow lieutenants and battalion commander.”