Last week the U.S. Army Recruit Command brought its Planning for Life program to seniors at  Bassick, Harding and Central High Schools . Planning for Life is not a recruitment effort, but rather a program designed by the U.S. Army to assist school students to plan their futures beyond high school.  “We don’t pick where we start out in life, but the choices we make every day determine where we end up,” said Program Director Emil Hill. “With that in mind, The Planning for Life workshops, sponsored by the U.S. Army, help students better understand the importance of a solid education, strong values and a healthy life style. Students learn to recognize their leadership potential and the need to develop a plan for success through Planning for Life.”

Planning for Life began with a brief introduction and a discussion on leadership traits, during which it was emphasized that everyone has the ability to be a leader.  Students learned that to be a good leader one must have solid moral values and strong character.  The rest of the program was broken into the examination of three main components necessary to succeed: The Mind, The Body and The Soul. 

 

The Mind portion of the program focused on preparing academically for college. Students used Character Education packets to analyze their personality types and develop self awareness, which is an important part of deciding which career path to follow. Retired Lieutenant Colonel B.K. Haines provided students information regarding invaluable online tools offered by the U.S. Army, such as career exploration resources, free programs for standardized test preparation and websites that help find financial aid for college. 

 

The Body section of the program dealt with the importance of good nutrition and physical fitness.  Captain Jason Woodward described the goal of “wellness,” and explained that “any goal in life can be accomplished with good education, strong moral values, good nutrition and physical fitness.”  He taught from personal experience and demonstrated the value of living healthy.  By means of a fitness exercise demonstration students also learned that while physical fitness is beneficial, it requires motivation and determination.

 

In her discussion of matters of The Soul, keynote speaker Consuelo Kickbusch, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, shared touching stories about her life.  As a woman who has had to overcome hardship and adversity, her endurance and success proved to be a great source of motivation to students.  With each story Colonel Kickbusch emphasized the importance of having the proper attitude, getting a good education, making wise choices and having respect for oneself and for others.  “Things don’t make you, character does,” she said.  She stated that 47 percent of students in the United States do not graduate from college, and further made it her goal to help improve the statistic.  “I am going to make it my mission to help every student in the U.S. to graduate,” Kickbusch said.  She also invited students to share their experiences and express how this program has affected them.  “I’m not just a survivor, I’m a role model,” she explained, “and my desire is to be your mentor and role model.”

 

Students were deeply touched by Colonel Kickbusch’s candid stories.  “She made me appreciate my life and how much my parents have helped me,” said Central student Sasha Jean-Baptiste.  Fellow student Lindsey Jean-Philippe expressed similar sentiments.  “I thought she was very genuine.  I could see her passion and how much she wants us to succeed.  I felt very inspired,” she said.