By Staff Sgt. Scott J. Evans
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Staff Sgt. Austin Burnham, left, a combat medic specialist with U.S. Army Medical Department Activity – Fort Carson, discusses his duties outside the Medical Simulation Training Center May 23, 2019, at Fort Carson. The education tour provided the attendees with insight into the benefits of service in the U.S. Army. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Scott J. Evans)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Education professionals throughout 13 states were provided a tour where they were able to listen to the experiences of Soldiers, and view unit static displays, Soldier support services, training and medical facilities and a large array of other sites. The tour was part of the 5th Recruiting Brigade and the 4th Infantry Division U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) outreach program at Fort Carson May 20-24, 2019.
The purpose of the visit was to allow the teachers to gain perspectives into the numerous career opportunities the military offers to youths interested in becoming service members. The tours were established to give educators knowledge to inform students about what military life is truly like and the various benefits it brings.
“The 5th Recruiting Brigade brought some of their top community partners from throughout their area of operations to show them what the Army has to offer,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Stone, USAREC outreach NCO, 4th Infantry Division. “To show where Soldiers live, train, eat and work in order to overcome some of the misconceptions people have about the Army.”
The attendees included a combination of teachers, college counselors, principals and superintendents, who, within their respective communities, have direct contact with young people who may consider a career in the U.S. military.
“I’ve done another educator tour with the Marine Corps, and as a Marine Corps veteran myself, it’s exciting to see the Army side,” said Ross Wood, a career adviser from Texas State University. “It’s good to see behind the curtain from a different services’ perspective, and it’s been very eye-opening and valuable being able to explore.”
During the multi-day tour, the teachers met with representatives from across the installation and beyond, including North American Aerospace Defense Command/U.S. Northern Command, Stack Dining Facility, the World Class Athlete Program and Evans Army Community Hospital, and were treated to a static display hosted by 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Staff Sgt. Anthony Watkins, left, an infantryman assigned to 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, provides instruction on the capabilities of unit weapons systems during a unit static display at a 5th Recruiting Battalion educator’s tour at Fort Carson May 22, 2019. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Scott J. Evans)
“Some of them have been on different tours with different military branches because all four branches conduct these tours throughout the (DOD), and what they told me was that our Soldiers were among the most disciplined they had seen, which is a really big compliment,” Stone said. “Our Soldiers are very knowledgeable, so they were very impressed by that.”
The teachers were appreciative for the opportunity to visit Fort Carson and speak with Soldiers regarding everyday life in the military.
“It’s good to explore the opportunities — that a lot of times on the civilian side, on the education side, that many people are not aware of,” Ross said. “You think about the military and sometimes you just think about certain jobs and certain aspects, but realizing there are about 150-plus job and education opportunities that can truly be a career. It’s about gaining insight that a lot of people don’t get exposed to.”
In recent years, the education tours have been found to be an effective tool in the Army; being able to form better community relationships with education professionals throughout the country, where they get to hear from Soldiers firsthand on their time of service.
“Each Soldier has a unique story (about) where they came from, how they joined the Army, why they joined the Army and the educational benefits they received from the Army,” Stone said.