Lady Mustang FRG leaders ‘talk the talk’

Pfc. Dan J. Bernard

3rd IBCT, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs

The ‘Lady Mustangs’ of 125th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division continue to build their Family Readiness Group Leaders through frequent training. Approximately 25 FRG leaders throughout the battalion learned techniques of good communication, and a concept known as “compassion fatigue” at the Old Fort Bliss Confer-ence Room, Friday.  

“We want all of our leaders to be effective communicators,” says Kristie Blackman, the 125th BSB family readiness support assistant. “Through this type of training, our leaders get the chance to know more about themselves.”

During the first portion of the training, with a combination of classroom discussions and hands-on exercises, these FRG leaders learned the path to good communication, as well as the roadblocks.

“Often people are busy, busy, busy, like a hamster on a wheel,” said Blackman. “If we would just take a step back from our every day activities, we could learn some new skills.”

Lady Mustang FRG leaders train often and are constantly trying to better their abilities as leaders. It is said that 90 percent of all communication is non-verbal, so the training had the participants exploring all aspects of themselves.  

“I think it is very helpful to have leaders that can communicate and know their limits,” says Bernice G. McCoy, the Family Readiness Group advisor for 125th BSB. “I used to have public speaking problems, but through practice over the years and participation in training, I’ve become more familiar with others and I’m now a better public speaker.”

The second portion of the training introduced “compassion fatigue” to the group. Shortly after 9/11 this new form of fatigue was becoming more and more apparent.  It is the stress of overwhelming yourself with other people’s problems and it can lead to some dangerous symptoms. 

 It is the FRG’s purpose to help military spouses with problems and concerns so they can be supported when they are handling too much. Friday’s training equipped FRG leaders with more communicative tools to offer that assistance.  

Blackman said the ongoing growth of the ‘Mustangs’ and their Family Readiness Group is a good way to ensure that the leaders are not taking on more than they can handle.

“I’m thankful for a command team and FRG team that are so supportive of us constantly learning and building,” said Blackman.  

With more training and exercises on the way, these ‘Lady Mustangs’ know first-hand that “success” is not a destination, but a product of a lifetime of learning.