SETAF-AF hosts Company Commander-First Sergeant Pre-Command course

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) hosts a Company Commander-First Sergeant Pre-Command course for new Vicenza Military command teams, at Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, Nov. 27, 2023 through Dec. 1, 2023.


“One of the main benefits I think that the leaders will walk away from is the collaboration and networking,” says 1st Sgt. James Barton, SETAF-AF, “All the leaders in this course have vast amounts of knowledge and through discussions we can all walk away from those lessons learned.”
By Pfc. Samantha Powers U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Vicenza, Italy Dec 04, 2023
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VICENZA, Italy – U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) hosts a Company Commander-First Sergeant Pre-Command course for new Vicenza Military command teams, at Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, Nov. 27, 2023 through Dec. 1, 2023.

The course provides a unique leader development opportunity for new company-level command teams by providing information on policies, programs and procedures critical to success in these demanding leadership positions.

“It’s a big responsibility,” says Brig. Gen. Brian Cashman, SETAF-AF deputy commanding general, to the crowd of leaders, “you’re charged with the awesome weight of responsibility for taking care of our nation's sons and daughters.”

During the week, the command teams from both USAG-Italy and SETAF-AF spoke to course participants about the importance of being a leader in the U.S. Army, and provide advice and tips on leadership they learned throughout their years in command positions. Soldiers were given guidance about how to better prepare and develop as leaders at the company level.

“One of the main benefits I think that the leaders will walk away from is the collaboration and networking,” says 1st Sgt. James Barton, SETAF-AF, “All the leaders in this course have vast amounts of knowledge and through discussions we can all walk away from those lessons learned.”

Topics for the course included how to establish and maintain a positive command climate, maintain good order and discipline within Soldiers, health promotion and family programs. Subject matter experts from Army programs briefed course participants on the facilities and programs available to them and their Soldiers.

Sgt. 1st Class Natasha Handy, the Sexual Harassment/Assault Prevention (SHARP) program leader, taught a course section on the SHARP program and discussed leaders roles in prevention and response. Maija Winesberry, a DoD financial readiness program manager, also went over the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Army Emergency Relief (AER), and how to understand a leave and earning statement (LES).

The course teaches new command teams how to prepare to take command and about all the resources available to help Soldiers when looking for guidance, ensuring commanders and leaders can take care of Soldiers and make sure that Soldiers know what resources the Army has to offer.

SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.

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