Pisgah High School Physical Education teacher Heidi
Morgan watches students practice combative moves they learned from Staff Sgt. Kevin Shultz, Asheville Recruiting Center.
Recruiters Teach Assault Prevention
Story and photo by Vernetta Garcia
Dec. 15, 2014
A staff vacancy at Pisgah High became an opportunity for Columbia Battalion recruiters to teach assault prevention and combatives to students.
Sgt. Jonathan Flowers and Staff Sgt. Kevin Shultz had three days of gym class periods to teach female students assault prevention. Using an outline from the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, the Asheville Company NCOs taught basic combatives moves at the Canton, North Carolina, high school.
Pisgah Physical Education teacher Heidi Morgan said the school had a former resource officer who was teaching assault prevention and defense. When he left to become a police officer, it left a void Sgt 1st Class Charles Jones of Asheville Company and his recruiters could fill.
“I think they did a fantastic job,” said Morgan. “They communicated at [the students’] age level and didn’t use terminology that was over their heads.”
“We focused our first day on assault prevention; be aware of surroundings, avoiding certain areas, wearing earbuds and not paying attention,” said Flowers. “They also did a few basic moves if attacked from behind.”
The second and third days focused mostly combatives.
“This has been a great opportunity,” said Flowers. “This has already opened doors for us.”
Jones realized the impact it had on the students and faculty.
“We have now been asked to do a drug intervention/abstinence class as well as an anti-bullying class to all students,” he said. “I believe it will be twice per year.”
“This was not an immediate recruiting event, but it has definitely helped to build relations with the school,” said Cpt. Joshua Edwards, Asheville Company Commander. “We hope other schools will notice our work in the community.”
Story and photo by Vernetta Garcia
Dec. 15, 2014
A staff vacancy at Pisgah High became an opportunity for Columbia Battalion recruiters to teach assault prevention and combatives to students.
Sgt. Jonathan Flowers and Staff Sgt. Kevin Shultz had three days of gym class periods to teach female students assault prevention. Using an outline from the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, the Asheville Company NCOs taught basic combatives moves at the Canton, North Carolina, high school.
Pisgah Physical Education teacher Heidi Morgan said the school had a former resource officer who was teaching assault prevention and defense. When he left to become a police officer, it left a void Sgt 1st Class Charles Jones of Asheville Company and his recruiters could fill.
“I think they did a fantastic job,” said Morgan. “They communicated at [the students’] age level and didn’t use terminology that was over their heads.”
“We focused our first day on assault prevention; be aware of surroundings, avoiding certain areas, wearing earbuds and not paying attention,” said Flowers. “They also did a few basic moves if attacked from behind.”
The second and third days focused mostly combatives.
“This has been a great opportunity,” said Flowers. “This has already opened doors for us.”
Jones realized the impact it had on the students and faculty.
“We have now been asked to do a drug intervention/abstinence class as well as an anti-bullying class to all students,” he said. “I believe it will be twice per year.”
“This was not an immediate recruiting event, but it has definitely helped to build relations with the school,” said Cpt. Joshua Edwards, Asheville Company Commander. “We hope other schools will notice our work in the community.”