WRAP-UP
2008 Joint Officer Leadership Development and Training Seminar (JOLDTS)
Presented in conjunction with the 2008 ROA National Convention.
June 24-28, 2008

Marriott Marquis Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia

Exercises in Joint Leadership

More than 40 Reservists were attending an ROA seminar in the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif., when an electromagnetic pulse bomb exploded 125,000 feet above the city. The attack caused massive power outages and communication disruption over an area of 15 miles. Another 40 Reservists were gathered outside the strike zone with a full complement of resources. Both groups had to, somehow, work together to save American lives.

This tabletop exercise actually took place during the ROA National Convention in the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Ga. as the culminating lesson in the 2008 Joint Officer Leadership Development Training Seminar (JOLDTS). Art Hobba, CEO of Transcende and chairman and founder of the non-profit organization Principle Based Leadership, created this exercise specifically for JOLDTS to drive home his 10 principles of leadership (for more information on this course, visit www.transcende.net/law_enforcement.html on the web).

Mr. Hobba said he condensed what normally would be a two-day conference into his three-hour session on that Saturday morning, but he acknowledged, too, that the weeklong JOLDTS program was a progression in leadership education. “Thursday they learned of behavioral issues, and on Friday they heard about generational and gender diversity and embracing that diversity to build trust,” he said. “It all sequentially came to a conclusion here where they bring that trust capital to bear through value-based leadership.”

The junior Reserve officers attended sessions by Dave Otto of Career Training Concepts on “Understanding Behavioral Diversity” and by Kevin Miller of Franklin Covey on “Understanding Gender and Generation,” as well as a “Challenge Day” of teamwork exercises at Fort McPherson.

Such programs keep some officers coming back for what they deem the best joint military training they have ever experienced.

“What I remember the most is the teamwork exercise,” said MAJ Patrick Rowe, an Army Reservist from Kentucky, referring to the Challenge Day. This was MAJ Rowe’s second year in a row attending JOLDTS. He called the field exercise a true joint environment, allowing him to work directly with Reservists from all branches of service. “I also found value in the REA (Reserve Enlisted Association) board,” said MAJ Rowe (see adjoining story). “It’s fascinating to hear the enlisted perspective and helps me be a better leader.”

First-time JOLDTS attendee 1LT Damien Zeigler, USAR, said he enjoyed the fellowship with his peers. “Even though we are from different branches of service, it’s amazing we have so many similar experiences,” said 1LT Zeigler. “My JOLDTS experience will be helpful when I deploy in the coming year.”

LTJG Charles Nassar, a Coast Guard Reservist from Sector Detroit, said JOLDTS also offers a tremendous networking opportunity with senior leaders. “I love listening to the sea stories and try to pick up the nuggets of wisdom,” he said. “When you meet these leaders in person, you get a raw perspective of the Coast Guard and military … a less-sanitized version of what really is going on.”

LCDR Jonathan Jett-Parmer, commanding officer of Navy Security Force Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Center, said JOLDTS helps him get into the mindset of his “green and blue” colleagues. “I sharpen my leadership skills at JOLDTS,” he said. “I’ve done joint operations, and think it’s very likely I will run into several of these JOLDTS attendees again. It really is a small, networked military.”—APK & EM

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