JBLM Soldier Guide Workshop 10/24/2019
During the retreat we were shown different devotional exercises that substantially increased my ability to communicate with my small group members. I felt that bringing the minister from Reach Church and including his story was very beneficial to the event. I learned effective ways to communicate with someone that's really personal information and how to respond property to them. I also learned several exercises I can use with my small groups to bring soldiers together and allow them to feel like part of our community.
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My experience at the retreat was great! I learned a lot, became more devoted to others, and God. I was also able to open up to others about things I've never said aloud. It was very eye opening and I’m grateful I was part of this retreat.
___
The training had an amazing impact on me. I personally have never been able to open up like that spiritually, and to other people. I will be able to take what I've learned from this experience and pass it on to many soldiers in my group and out. This training is what will make these groups grow and keep moving forward.
___
The Summit guide training had a tremendous impact on me because it taught me that it’s okay to have “baggage” we are soldiers but first and for most we are human and sometimes we forget that. The training taught how it’s okay to open up and talk about the things that bother us, I learned how to be able to listen to someone that may be going through something and not make them feel weak or unwanted but instead help them and understand that we all go through things that may be hard to bear alone. The Summit training helped me talk about things in my past that would bother me and allowed to feel closer to other guys in my formation because they now know why I may act the way I do sometimes. The training made all Summit leaders across my battalion closer because we all learned from one another and we can help each other grow and be there for each other. I believe future training like this across our formation is need and will be crucial to building unit cohesion it will also give leaders a much deeper understanding of their soldiers.
___
As a summit small group leader there have been times when soldiers in my small group shared personal information about themselves. In those situations, I had no idea how to respond to them in a way that didn’t seem awkward or forced. Prior to being a part of a small group, I had no religious leadership experience and very little leadership experience in general. Prior to our experience at summit, I would find myself able to relate to soldiers in my groups experiences but unable to show them that. In the two days of training we had I was able to learn how to respond in a less awkward way and how to share my experiences in a way that shows I understand how they’re feeling without taking away from their experiences, taking the focus off of them, or causing them to believe that I’m making the conversation about myself. This is by far the most important thing I learned while at the training however it is not the only thing that I learned. On top of everything I previously listed I also learned more about my fellow small group leaders, how we can better work together in ways that will benefit our small groups, and what it means to be a small group leader. I believe that the training I received has not only helped as a leader in summit but also a leader in the army as a whole.
___
My experience at black diamond camps has honestly marked a milestone in my life. The opportunity that the summit program sponsored, allowed for the selected “guides" to go and share an interpersonal understanding with a few; near, and trusted individuals. This not only strengthened bonds between us, but formed more respect for one another, and an acute awareness of the people around us; how we can affect them, and how we can help them come together over their struggles.
___
Being able to attend this SUMMIT leadership retreat gave me the opportunity to have time set aside to spiritually open up my mind and heart. I feel that there is a stigma in the Army that Leaders outside of Chaplains, are much more restricted to expressing their religious beliefs or that there just isn't enough time because of how hectic work schedules become. I have not had the proper outlets to express what I have been feeling lately, but this training allowed me to be open and be more expressive. This leadership training was valuable in many ways, but mostly it brought a diverse group together for one common purpose; God. I am looking forward to expanding my appreciation for God through leading others within my formation and the next SUMMIT outing.
___
The lessons taught at the small group training were very practical for the unit. I learned how to be able to put myself in someone's shoes and help get people some weight off of their chest. Feeling relieved and possibly fulfilled while working in the army is key to unit readiness. Allowing soldiers to relieve their stress and make personal connections within their companies will also encourage great unit cohesion.
___
The Summit Guide Training helped me understand that taking the time to open yourself up and get to know your soldiers at a personal level will create a deeper connection with each other. When you get to know them as an individual, such as their values, past accomplishments, and even past trauma, it creates community and a safe place for them to be known and be themselves. The trust that is built from being real with each other is stronger than any other. I learned how to be a better listener and how to respond to others being vulnerable. This is an essential skill if I want to be a leader that makes a difference in my area of operations.
___
Upon arrival to the Summit Camp, the Officers made it known that they were to unload our bags and us Enlisted folks were not to touch a thing. They later served us in any capacity they could think of, from serving our drinks to taking our dishes following mealtime. They then taught us that just as they had served us, so should we do for our Soldiers. This had an instant impact on me as I later found myself making my roommates bed later that night. They then taught that in future Summit retreats, us newly trained Leaders, would take the reins and serve future attendees, thus further solidifying our efforts to serve. Oh, how I look forward to seeing the reactions of my Soldiers as I now seek to serve them in this manner. Aside from the loving service, the experience gained at Summit was invaluable. I formed deep friendship with others after just two days of spending time together. In a unit where deployments are few and far between, the brotherhood I once found in the military is just not the same as it once was. That being said, I found that the sacred experience called Summit was just the right direction in establishing such bonds. I see this especially important in today’s Army considering suicide rates are at an all-time high and that others tend to think no one is there for them nor understands them. Summit teaches us that we do not have to face our challenges alone in life and that we are all here to care for one another. We as Leaders should prayerfully consider those who would benefit from the Summit experience (Hint: We would all benefit from Summit!). One might suppose that an event such as Summit might not be for all, considering the Spiritual nature of it all, however I ensure that it is. Many young Soldiers may lack the experiences of things pertaining to Spirituality, and Summit provides just that. We should know that this important considering Spirituality is just one of the 5 dimensions on the Army Global Assessment Tool (GAT) next to Social, Emotional, Family, and Physical Health. By providing Soldiers this experience, we will see that Soldiers are finding greater purpose in life and that there will be a greater sense of unity and brotherhood among our formations.
___
My experience at the retreat was great! I learned a lot, became more devoted to others, and God. I was also able to open up to others about things I've never said aloud. It was very eye opening and I’m grateful I was part of this retreat.
___
The training had an amazing impact on me. I personally have never been able to open up like that spiritually, and to other people. I will be able to take what I've learned from this experience and pass it on to many soldiers in my group and out. This training is what will make these groups grow and keep moving forward.
___
The Summit guide training had a tremendous impact on me because it taught me that it’s okay to have “baggage” we are soldiers but first and for most we are human and sometimes we forget that. The training taught how it’s okay to open up and talk about the things that bother us, I learned how to be able to listen to someone that may be going through something and not make them feel weak or unwanted but instead help them and understand that we all go through things that may be hard to bear alone. The Summit training helped me talk about things in my past that would bother me and allowed to feel closer to other guys in my formation because they now know why I may act the way I do sometimes. The training made all Summit leaders across my battalion closer because we all learned from one another and we can help each other grow and be there for each other. I believe future training like this across our formation is need and will be crucial to building unit cohesion it will also give leaders a much deeper understanding of their soldiers.
___
As a summit small group leader there have been times when soldiers in my small group shared personal information about themselves. In those situations, I had no idea how to respond to them in a way that didn’t seem awkward or forced. Prior to being a part of a small group, I had no religious leadership experience and very little leadership experience in general. Prior to our experience at summit, I would find myself able to relate to soldiers in my groups experiences but unable to show them that. In the two days of training we had I was able to learn how to respond in a less awkward way and how to share my experiences in a way that shows I understand how they’re feeling without taking away from their experiences, taking the focus off of them, or causing them to believe that I’m making the conversation about myself. This is by far the most important thing I learned while at the training however it is not the only thing that I learned. On top of everything I previously listed I also learned more about my fellow small group leaders, how we can better work together in ways that will benefit our small groups, and what it means to be a small group leader. I believe that the training I received has not only helped as a leader in summit but also a leader in the army as a whole.
___
My experience at black diamond camps has honestly marked a milestone in my life. The opportunity that the summit program sponsored, allowed for the selected “guides" to go and share an interpersonal understanding with a few; near, and trusted individuals. This not only strengthened bonds between us, but formed more respect for one another, and an acute awareness of the people around us; how we can affect them, and how we can help them come together over their struggles.
___
Being able to attend this SUMMIT leadership retreat gave me the opportunity to have time set aside to spiritually open up my mind and heart. I feel that there is a stigma in the Army that Leaders outside of Chaplains, are much more restricted to expressing their religious beliefs or that there just isn't enough time because of how hectic work schedules become. I have not had the proper outlets to express what I have been feeling lately, but this training allowed me to be open and be more expressive. This leadership training was valuable in many ways, but mostly it brought a diverse group together for one common purpose; God. I am looking forward to expanding my appreciation for God through leading others within my formation and the next SUMMIT outing.
___
The lessons taught at the small group training were very practical for the unit. I learned how to be able to put myself in someone's shoes and help get people some weight off of their chest. Feeling relieved and possibly fulfilled while working in the army is key to unit readiness. Allowing soldiers to relieve their stress and make personal connections within their companies will also encourage great unit cohesion.
___
The Summit Guide Training helped me understand that taking the time to open yourself up and get to know your soldiers at a personal level will create a deeper connection with each other. When you get to know them as an individual, such as their values, past accomplishments, and even past trauma, it creates community and a safe place for them to be known and be themselves. The trust that is built from being real with each other is stronger than any other. I learned how to be a better listener and how to respond to others being vulnerable. This is an essential skill if I want to be a leader that makes a difference in my area of operations.
___
Upon arrival to the Summit Camp, the Officers made it known that they were to unload our bags and us Enlisted folks were not to touch a thing. They later served us in any capacity they could think of, from serving our drinks to taking our dishes following mealtime. They then taught us that just as they had served us, so should we do for our Soldiers. This had an instant impact on me as I later found myself making my roommates bed later that night. They then taught that in future Summit retreats, us newly trained Leaders, would take the reins and serve future attendees, thus further solidifying our efforts to serve. Oh, how I look forward to seeing the reactions of my Soldiers as I now seek to serve them in this manner. Aside from the loving service, the experience gained at Summit was invaluable. I formed deep friendship with others after just two days of spending time together. In a unit where deployments are few and far between, the brotherhood I once found in the military is just not the same as it once was. That being said, I found that the sacred experience called Summit was just the right direction in establishing such bonds. I see this especially important in today’s Army considering suicide rates are at an all-time high and that others tend to think no one is there for them nor understands them. Summit teaches us that we do not have to face our challenges alone in life and that we are all here to care for one another. We as Leaders should prayerfully consider those who would benefit from the Summit experience (Hint: We would all benefit from Summit!). One might suppose that an event such as Summit might not be for all, considering the Spiritual nature of it all, however I ensure that it is. Many young Soldiers may lack the experiences of things pertaining to Spirituality, and Summit provides just that. We should know that this important considering Spirituality is just one of the 5 dimensions on the Army Global Assessment Tool (GAT) next to Social, Emotional, Family, and Physical Health. By providing Soldiers this experience, we will see that Soldiers are finding greater purpose in life and that there will be a greater sense of unity and brotherhood among our formations.