Greetings from your friendly neighborhood Bandit UMT. This past week was a good one for the Bandits, topped off with the 2020 Bandit Ball. It was a huge success. I was blessed to finally meet in person Kevin Seidl, from the 37th Armor Alumni. It was truly an honor and privilege to get to know someone who care so much about our heritage and our brotherhood.
Speaking of the Ball, I know there was more than a dozen who had their picture taken with CPL (P) Kent there. He very much enjoyed it. If you have a chance, please upload your picture with him to his page (see end of this message). We are looking to do a folder entitled “Friends” for all those that he loves and serves.
In addition, this is my fifth battalion and first time to get to do a left seat/right seat. Until this point, I have always arrived after my predecessor left or left before my successor arrived. I have been honored to get to assist CH Abraham Abe Christian as he becomes the new Bandit Shepherd. He will be gradually assuming more and more responsibilities. For example, later this month he will assume the 1-37 AR UMT page.
What does the concept of brotherhood mean to you? The US Army has the unique ability to define brotherhood (sisterhood), not in words, but in actions. Every day, those men and women are challenged and are sometimes put into situations where the camaraderie builds itself, and the men and women are able build each other. The uniform only lays the foundation for what brings these select, and exceptional, men and women together; it is the call to duty, the ideals, and the shared title of being an American and believing in what that means, that truly binds the servicemen and women together, across all MOSs and branches.
Family is more than blood. We’re not all born with the best families. If you’ve had a falling out with your parents or siblings, or if they’ve all passed away, it doesn’t mean that you’re alone in the world. You still have a family that loves you — they just might not be related by blood. Your real family should supportive of you. They should encourage you to follow your dreams, because they have unflinching faith that you can achieve whatever goals you set. They should believe in you even more than you believe in yourself. Your real family won’t leave your side when things get rough. They’ll hold their ground and help you in any way that they can. It doesn’t matter if you lose your job, lose your house, or lose yourself to drugs, because they’ll always be there for you.
Who have you chosen to make family? Who are your brothers and sisters in arms? Who do you trust and make yourself vulnerable? Who do you know has your back? Whose back do you have? While not every unit promotes this, I have truly experienced this with the Bandit Family. In the past nearly 3 years, I have indeed been made to feel part of a family. As I prepare to PCS this summer, 1-37 AR will always hold a dear spot in my heart and my time will be a cherished memory.
The concept of brotherhood can affect every aspect of your life. That is the theme reflected in each of our folders.
• A Little Humor for The Week
• Chaplain Corner
• Fiscal Tip of The Week
• Fitness/Nutrition Tip of The Week
• Marriage/Family Tip of The Week
In addition to these updates, we have shared upcoming various activities at Fort Bliss:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/137ARUMT/photos/?tab=album&album_id=245937449381598
This information comes from Fort Bliss Army Community Service, Fort Bliss MWR, Fort Bliss Religious Support Office, Bliss BOSS, and Fort Bliss MWR Sports/Fitness/Aquatics. If you want to know about upcoming events, check out these. If Single Soldier, these are opportunities to get out of the barracks. If married, date ideas. If family, chance to bond.
We have also done the monthly updates for the following folders for March:
• National Monthly Awareness
• Religious Holy Days
• Religious Awareness
The Bandit UMT FB page hit 464 followers and 116 visitors this past week! How many will we be able to reach? Thank you so much for your support. If you visit and what you find is a blessing to you or yours, please feel free to be a follower of our page. Please continue to help us grow as a positive influence in the extended Bandit Family.
https://www.facebook.com/137ARUMT/
If you want to follow the adventures and activities of CPL Kent, the Bandit Military Ministry Dog, he has own Facebook presence with 341 followers and 161 visitors this past week. He definitely this past week with the Bandit Family during the 5K and the Bandit Ball.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Kent-Military-Ministry-Dog-101460287868055/posts/?ref=page_internal
Greetings from your friendly neighborhood Bandit UMT. This is going to be a busy and important week.
26FEB – Ash Wednesday
27FEB - Bandit 5K Fun Run/Walk
27FEB - next Town Hall
28FEB - Bandit Ball
https://www.facebook.com/events/259186321709682/
https://www.facebook.com/events/476409473010702/
Hopefully this past week, I hope that opportunity leave helped you to “recharge your batteries”. Sometimes we need to just take a knee. We need to practice self-care. Personally, this is an area of life that I do not excel at, especially growing up with a Dad that believed it “is better to crawl in than call in”. But I am continually learning to do better. Why? I cannot care for others if I do not care for myself – at least not at peak efficiency.
What about you? Are you good at self-care? Self-care is a personal matter. Everyone’s approach will be different. It relates to what you do at work and outside of work to look after your holistic wellbeing so that you can meet your personal and professional commitments. Below are the different aspects to self-care and example strategies that other people have found useful:
• Workplace or professional
• Physical
• Psychological
• Emotional
• Spiritual
• Relationships.
After discovering the different aspects of self-care, complete the self-care plan activity below. Discover which activities work the best for you. For example, riding motorcycle may help one person whereas playing video games may help another. Your options are nearly infinite. Here are a few examples in each of these aspects so that you start seeing some of your possibilities.
Workplace or professional self-care
This involves activities that help you to work consistently at the professional level expected of you. For example:
• engage in regular supervision or consulting with a more experienced colleague
• set up a peer-support group
• be strict with boundaries between clients/students and staff
• read professional journals
• attend professional development programs.
Physical self-care
Activities that help you to stay fit and healthy, and with enough energy to get through your work and personal commitments.
• Develop a regular sleep routine.
• Aim for a healthy diet.
• Take lunch breaks.
• Go for a walk at lunchtime.
• Take your dog for a walk after work.
• Use your sick leave.
• Get some exercise before/after work regularly.
Psychological self-care
Activities that help you to feel clear-headed and able to intellectually engage with the professional challenges that are found in your work and personal life.
• Keep a reflective journal.
• Seek and engage in external supervision or regularly consult with a more experienced colleague.
• Engage with a non-work hobby.
• Turn off your email and work phone outside of work hours.
• Make time for relaxation.
• Make time to engage with positive friends and family.
Emotional self-care
Allowing yourself to safely experience your full range of emotions.
• Develop friendships that are supportive.
• Write three good things that you did each day.
• Play a sport and have a coffee together after training.
• Go to the movies or do something else you enjoy.
• Keep meeting with your parents' group or other social group.
• Talk to you friend about how you are coping with work and life demands.
Spiritual self-care
This involves having a sense of perspective beyond the day-to-day of life.
• Engage in reflective practices like meditation.
• Go on bush walks.
• Go to church/mosque/temple.
• Do yoga.
• Reflect with a close friend for support.
Relationship self-care
This is about maintaining healthy, supportive relationships, and ensuring you have diversity in your relationships so that you are not only connected to work people.
• Prioritize close relationships in your life e.g. with partners, family and children.
• Attend the special events of your family and friends.
• Arrive to work and leave on time every day.
The concept of self-care can affect every aspect of your life. That is the theme reflected in each of our folders.
• A Little Humor for The Week
• Chaplain Corner
• Fiscal Tip of The Week
• Fitness/Nutrition Tip of The Week
• Marriage/Family Tip of The Week
In addition to these updates, we have shared upcoming various activities at Fort Bliss:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/137ARUMT/photos/?tab=album&album_id=245937449381598
This information comes from Fort Bliss Army Community Service, Fort Bliss MWR, Fort Bliss Religious Support Office, Bliss BOSS, and Fort Bliss MWR Sports/Fitness/Aquatics. If you want to know about upcoming events, check out these. If Single Soldier, these are opportunities to get out of the barracks. If married, date ideas. If family, chance to bond.
The Bandit UMT FB page hit 464 followers and 2,719 visitors this past 4 weeks! How many will we be able to reach? Thank you so much for your support. If you visit and what you find is a blessing to you or yours, please feel free to be a follower of our page. Please continue to help us grow as a positive influence in the extended Bandit Family.
https://www.facebook.com/137ARUMT/
If you want to follow the adventures and activities of CPL Kent, the Bandit Military Ministry Dog, he has own Facebook presence with 340 followers and 700 visitors this past 4 weeks! He is definitely looking forward to this week with the Bandit Family.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Kent-Military-Ministry-Dog-101460287868055/posts/?ref=page_internal
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