Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Quarterly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security
Issue link: https://uscgreservist.epubxp.com/i/436616
experience. It's all about having that experience of working together as a chief's mess." A crucial component of that experience comes through the guidance and leadership of the Chiefs' Academy instructors, who also serve as liaisons between each team and the academy. The instructors are the glue that holds the course together, says Assistant School Chief ETCS Kevin Odom. "Leadership matters," Odom says. "The consequences are obvious. When you don't have strong leadership, bad things can happen. People often talk about when poor leadership has impacted them. They never forget. But the same thing can happen with great leadership. I've seen units fail because of one person, but also succeed because of one person." The goal of the Chiefs' Academy is to make sure the latter happens, and not the former. It's why instructors work hard each year to teach approximately 650 active and 100 Reserve chiefs in a course that demands as much from the instructors as it does from the students. "As a liaison, I'm a part of your team as much or as little as you need me," says BMC Nick George, one of the instructors. "I look to challenge people if they need it or if I feel they need it. It's an awesome thing to help people get through it. The best parts are helping people have breakthroughs and challenge themselves." A similar philosophy guides BMC Jennifer Stanton, another instructor. "We want students to leave here energized, with confidence, knowing who they are as a leader," Stanton says. "We want them 're-blued,' energized, ready to make an impact and bring those positive traits to the forefront." Howerton, for one, is a believer in the results. He was especially impressed by the opportunity to meet the Reserve Force Master Chief and the LANTAREA and PACAREA Reserve Gold Badges and emerge with a better understanding of changes in the Reserve force. He already has shared that understanding with his junior members. "I've told everybody I bump into, 'Hey, you gotta go to the academy. Don't put it off. You're going to have a good time ... go with an open mind. You're definitely going to take something away from the experience.' " And that's something Lindsay never tires of hearing. "Knowing that they're leaving here better than they came is the reward," Lindsay says. "Some things, you don't get to take them home. But you get to keep them in your heart." � Chief Petty Offcer Jennifer Stanton refects on leadership challenges she has faced during an interview for Reservist magazine in her offce at Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma, Monday, nov. 10. Stanton is an instructor at the Chief Petty Offcer Academy, a "C" school required of e-7s, providing leadership development, physical training and academic instruction. Photo by PA1 Bill Colclough Issue 1 • 2015 � RESERVIST 25