By Pfc. Kelsey Simmons
14th Public Affairs Detachment
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Command Sgt. Maj. T. J. Holland, senior enlisted leader, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, mentors a group of NCOs on effective leadership skills Sept. 16, 2019. The program was an educational measure to help leaders promote adherence to military standards and overall combat readiness. (Photo by Spc. Robert Vicens)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Command Sgt. Maj. T. J. Holland, senior enlisted leader, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, mentored a group of NCOs on effective leadership skills Sept. 16, 2019. The program was an educational measure taken by Holland to promote adherence to military standards and overall combat readiness.
“This is a one-day investment in time with the division command sergeant major to coach and mentor battalion command sergeants major,” said Holland.
Holland took senior enlisted personnel from across the installation on a tour of the base. As he led the group on the tour, he described various features of the post and how they provide Soldiers with resources needed to be successful.
“This is the very first time I’ve ever had a mentorship with a division-level command sergeant major, and it wasn’t your average run-of-the-mill, sit in a classroom (with) a whole bunch of slides while somebody talks to you,” said Sgt. Maj. Damarco Wyatt, the senior logistics NCO, 4th Inf. Div. headquarters. “We actually spent the entire day together.”
Holland began the tour by introducing his mentees to a new physical training session, called the Human Performance Optimization Program, an exercise regimen specifically designed to enhance the physical endurance of Soldiers, priming them for victory in warfighting environments.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Maj. Demarco Wyatt, logistics sergeant major, 4th Infantry Division, participates in discussions during a question and answer session as part of the sergeant major’s mentorship program Sept. 16, 2019. (Photo by Pfc. Kelsey Simmons)
“Go in there and take a hard look at all those skills you need in your formation to execute your mission,” Holland said.
The group also visited one of the motor pools, as well as the barracks. Holland explained to the participants of his program how Fort Carson continuously works to make Mountain Post Living better for Soldiers, including providing full-sized refrigerators instead of the current smaller versions, installing a more efficient locking system to prevent break-ins and adding exercise equipment to common areas.
Holland and his mentees ended the day with a meeting at the 4th Inf. Div. headquarters to discuss different aspects of being an efficient Army leader and how to improve general mission readiness.
“He’s not just talking,” Wyatt said. “He’s actually allowing us to have dialogue with one another to share best practices and lessons learned.”
The group concluded the sergeant major’s mentorship program by suggesting various plans of action to implement as leaders of their own, and to make Mountain Post Living as comfortable and efficient as possible.