DATE: November 20, 2022 10:25:28 PM CST

First Team builds stronger relationship with Killeen

Story by: Army Sgt. Darrell Stembridge

1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, TEXAS – 1st Cavalry Division hosted members of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, at Fort Hood, Texas on Nov. 16, to continue building strong relationships within the Greater Fort Hood Community.

“As the chamber coordinator for Leadership Killeen Program, I am always amazed each year when I bring a new class to Fort Hood to see all the hard work done to improve the quality of life for Soldiers and their family members,” said Roni Nail, program manager, Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce. “This starts all the way at the top at III Corps and goes down to the Soldiers in 1st CAV.”

During the tour, Killeen business professionals visited Fort Hood and the People First Center (PFC), where they were able to see the Army leading efforts to find ways to put an end to unproductive behaviors and build unit trust.

Cpt. Rosa Meeks, III Corps Headquarters logistics officer, welcomes members of the Killeen Chamber of Commerce to the People First Center Nov. 16, on Fort Hood, Texas. The Killeen Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to providing vision, leadership and support to business and community leaders to create economic prosperity.

Leadership Killeen: the program which brought the members to Fort Hood, is designed to enhance leadership within the community through shared knowledge and skill building.

“The entire day was not only entertaining, but extremely informative as well,” said Tanner Carlson, Leadership Killeen student. “Learning how the base operates, as though it is its own city, was eye-opening and really humanized the soldiers and the entire base as a whole and I believe Fort Hood is actively making strides to address and improve how they have been perceived from a local and national standpoint.”

The training at the PFC ensures Troopers are being reinforced by professionals to maintain a healthy organized culture within the workplace and their daily lives.

“The center certifies leaders on fundamentals of engaged leadership,” said Cpt. Rosa Meeks, III Corps Headquarters logistics officer. “It is a platform for immersive collective training aimed to build organizational competencies that build cohesive teams, reinforces trust, and generates lethality.”

Troopers across all of Fort Hood can use the resources at the PFC to build skills they are able to take back with them to their unit to help create a better community and promote healthier behaviors.

“It is a location for resources and information that support Operation People First in order to reduce harmful behaviors, while building trust and cohesion amongst ourselves,” said Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Arrellano, People First Center representative. “The People First Center is the wake up that the Army needs.”

One of the topics that members of the Killeen Chamber of Commerce were intrigued with was how to prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault. This Army program, known as SHARP, was demonstrated by a team of Troopers using real life scenarios.

Killeen Chamber of Commerce gathers at the People First Center Nov. 16, on Fort Hood, Texas. Troopers worked with chamber members to help promote positive interactions within the workplace.

“On the third day of training we make the Troopers act out real life scenarios of bad behavior, ” said Meeks. “These Troopers were able to go over what they’ve learned in the past couple of days and execute scenarios that were out of their comfort zone.”

The SHARP program explains that everyone plays an important role in prevention at every level within units, organizations, and communities.

“I believe this program will have a massive impact on the Army,” said Arrellano. “As long as the training is continued to be done consistently and right.”