Military Review English Edition March-April 2015 | Page 33

CAN TRUST BE RESTORED?

of a certain topic. Instructors not only must impart
their expertise and knowledge but also must be open to
learning from the students.
Third, instruction leaders must demonstrate
universal equity. Students must be treated with dignity and be treated fairly in every circumstance. Every
student must be treated with respect, the third tenet
of the LDRSHIP acronym. Instructors must recognize
the individual value of every student, understand their
personal perspectives, and take care to ensure that
students are validated. Students are at different levels
when they arrive for training; each needs to be molded
into a functioning member of their personal professional discipline or military occupational specialty.
Last, the sixth tenet of the LDRSHIP acronym
refers to integrity. As instructors treat students with
equity and fairness, trust is grown. Ensuring fairness
in the learning process allows students to grow in their
knowledge and expertise. Instructors must do everything possible to make sure that credibility and trust do
not erode as they perform their duties in managing and
instructing students.

An old adage says that “familiarity breeds contempt.” Unfortunately, this is true some of the time. As
human beings are fallible, the loss of trust and credibility can be a natural occurrence and is a process. When
loss is recognized, steps must be taken to prevent losing
more. However, when credibility and trust are diminishing, with work they can be re-established. When
instructional leaders adopt new practice in crafting
both education and training, we will see a good return
on that investment into students.

Conclusion
The Army is doing a lot to combat sexual misconduct. Education and training are a part of the
solution, and they can lead to real changes in institutional and individual behavior. Education can be
used to create awareness of the problem; training
can be used to create preventive behaviors. Hard
work, committed leadership, competent instructors,
and meaningful education and training can help the
Army achieve its goal of preventing sexual harassment and assault.

(Photo by Michael L. Lewis, NCO Journal)

Sgt. 1st Class Charles Daniels, the installation sexual assault response coordinator at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., presents his small
group’s work to the rest of the class during the new SHARP pilot course at Fort Belvoir, Va., in March 2014.
MILITARY REVIEW  March-April 2015

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