Hanscom SARC hones skills during annual refresher course

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  • By Headquarters Air Force Public Affairs
LEESBURG, Va. (AFNS) --  Hanscom Air Force Base's sexual assault response coordinator expanded her knowledge and skills during a five-day annual refresher course for nearly 130 Air Force sexual assault response coordinators at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Va., Aug. 3-7.

The SARCs participated in a variety of lessons on prevention, policy, training and leadership interaction designed to reinforce their knowledge and skills.

"SARCs are the backbone of the Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program," said Maj. Gen. Gina Grosso, the Air Force SAPR director. "This annual training is our opportunity not just to ensure they have the latest information on policies and procedures, but also to get their feedback on what's working, what isn't and how we can continue to improve. Their enthusiasm for learning and dedication to the Airmen they support is truly inspiring."

Among the presentations that resonated with Jersouk Myers, Hanscom's SARC, was a briefing on enhancing relationships made by Lt. Col. Kevin Basik, representative to the secretary of the Air Force senior advisor for military professionalism.

"I really enjoyed Colonel Basik's presentation on 'Professionalism: Enhancing Human Capital,'" said Myers. "His presentation provided us with tools to better adapt to change, strategies to develop and lead successful teams as well as to problem solve through effective interpersonal skills. He helped us recall our competence, our confidence and our commitment to the program which resonates from our values, beliefs and passion, while remaining focused on the mission."

All of which Myers said are ways she can support the Air Force's commitment to eliminate incidents of sexual assault through awareness and prevention training.

Another benefit of the continuing education course for Hanscom's SARC was the chance to network with other SARCs across Air Force Materiel Command and other Major Commands. The SARCs and deputy SARCs across the Air Force serve as trusted agents for Airmen in crisis at 113 bases around the world, said Maj. Scott Crum, the Air Force SAPR deputy operations chief.

"Although our SARCs vary greatly in rank and experience from new lieutenants to experienced civil servants, they must all earn the trust and confidence of the Airmen they serve," Crum said. "This refresher training is as critical to their professional development as professional military education is to our force."

Although some of the material was familiar to the SARCs from their initial certification course, the continued education helps them hone their skills and motivates them to use newly learned skills, said Barry Waite, the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development's chief of workforce diversity and civilian professional development at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

When SARCs leave the initial training course at Maxwell AFB, they all have the same basic skill set, but as they build from their experiences they can share with or lean on SARCs from other bases who have already handled similar circumstances.

"Our policies and procedures are constantly evolving as we learn more about this crime and how to prevent and respond to it," Grosso said. "This annual training is a vital opportunity to bring all our SARCs together to give them the best tools and training possible to serve our Airmen."

To learn more about Hanscom's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program, contact Myers at 781-225-3541 or Tanasha Stachelczyk, Hanscom victim advocate, at 781-225-6401.

Personnel may also email Hanscom.SAPR@us.af.mil or visit the DoD's SAPR website at www.sapr.mil.

(Editor's note: 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs contributed to this article)