It has been a week now since our 37 high school educators, university and college faculty, veteran group leaders, media and other influencers of America's youth have returned from the July 28 and 29, 2010 tour of Fort Benning.  In this post I'd like to share thier comments of what they'll be sharing with young men and women throughout Minn., Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Moline, Ill.

   “Thank you for a super experience.  I felt that we were all treated as VIPs.  I would not change anything. In fact, I am going to recommend this tour to my fellow educators in Mandan.”
Scott Allan, History Teacher, Mandan High School, Mandan, North Dakota

  “The tour provided excellent information about the new Soldier indoctrination process and basic training activities. This will be invaluable as young men and women ask me to describe entrance into military service.  Excellent tour with excellent cadre.”
Jason Borglum, Le Sueur Public Schools District Technology Coordinator, La Sueur, Minn.

   “Actually seeing the Soldiers during their first week was most informative. I enjoyed seeing the drill sergeants and the impact that they truly have with the Soldiers. This was an incredible opportunity. I have a new understanding and appreciation for military personnel. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity.”
Dawn Braegelman, Professional Education Manager, Rasmussen College, Brooklyn Park, Minn.

  “This was fantastic. The tour was not only informative, but very hands-on. Being able to experience this aspect is something that will stick with me forever.  Being able to talk to the drill instructors and recruits was amazing. Please continue this program.  I took over two hours of video that will be edited and shown to my students.  I really believe that by having teachers come to this tour will pass on a positive tone towards the Army.  Based on this experience, I will continue to recommend Army enlistment after high school. Please let me know what more I can do to stay involved in Army recruiting efforts.”
Mike Cassano, U.S. History Teacher, Rosemount High School, Rosemount, Minn.

  “I feel very lucky and honored to have the opportunity to participate in this tour. Coming in on Tuesday, I had no idea about many aspects of the military. Today, I feel like I’ve been exposed to a whole new world and lifestyle.  I think that the time that we spent here will help to motivate the youth that we work with.  I also have gained a new respect for the men and women that serve our country!”
Ryan Dewey,  Industrial Tech. Teacher, Chisago Lakes Senior High School, Chisago, Minn.

  “I thoroughly enjoyed not only the tour but networking with the participants as well.  I also gained a greater appreciation and understanding of the Army.   Having experienced Fort Benning, I now have a sense of what type of student would appreciate and be successful in the Army.”
Rod Engeseth, Fargo, North Dakota, Job Corps

“The team-building element with water was the most interesting.  I think that really impacted everyone on the tour. It was great to see the young men working together.  It was a great experience witnessing the change in the new Soldiers from reception throughout their training.  The tour was amazing to see in person.”
Brianna Gallett, Webershandwick, U.S. Army Account Executive

  “Most interesting part of the tour was seeing the processing center when the new Soldiers who had just arrived were being processed.  All hands-on experiences were amazing and seeing different elements and training was very informative.”
Neeley Hagen, Chanhassen High School, Chanhassen, Minn.

   “This was a comprehensive tour, mostly observing actual Soldiers.  A chance to see the “spirit” of the Soldiers and the new Army values.  The tour was well done!  My hat’s off to an excellent program.”
Rick Jaeschke, Assoc. Professor of Music Education,  Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill.

  “The most interesting part of the tour was learning about Army life style, the career process, and basic training.  My perception of the Army is now much more favorable.”
Jamie Justesen, Counselor, Missouri Valley High School, Missouri Valley, Iowa

  “I found the leadership at Fort Benning open and frank about what it takes to train new Soldiers.  There was nothing about the tour that wasn’t interesting and important.  I’d like to see Army Values training in our schools.
Jerry Kyser, Twin Cities Vietnam Veterans and Honor Flight Coordinator, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.

“The tour was an opportunity to get up to date with training and witnessing the transformation of our modern Army.  Discovered more improvements in Family and Soldier Support.  I’d like to see more stories and coverage of Asians in the Army delivered by the Army News Service.”
Thomas LaVenture, Managing Editor, Asian American Press, St. Paul, Minn

   “I thought the two-day tour was outstanding! It was very organized and exceeded my expectations.  I feel so much more informed about the Army and the hands-on experience of being here to learn it was essential and very meaningful for me.  Everything was terrific, interesting, informative and fun.  I learned so muchand am thankful for this experience.”
Patty Lindsey, Guidance Counselor, United South Central High School, Wells, Minn.

   “It was incredible to ride in the Stryker and watch the privates on the obstacle courses.  I now know what my students will be experiencing when enlisting.  It was an incredible experience.”
Diana Mach, Guidance Counselor, Scotland High School, Scotland, South Dakota and SD High School Counselors Association President

“I really enjoyed observing the Reception Battalion, having lunch with the new recruits, and watching and learning about parachute rigging.  Also appreciated hearing from the female Drill Sergeant.  I found the information for female recruits very helpful.”
Emily Mattran, Career Center Manager, Chaska High School, Chaska, Minn.

  “This tour was quite helpful in learning about the Army and the information will be useful in applying to news articles and future stories, especially as a better frame of reference for new Soldiers going in and coming back from deployments. Super job!  Everything was great.  Basic training was most informative and I thought the parachute rigging the most interesting parts of the tour.”
Chuck Melchione, Educator, Johnson High School, St. Paul, Minn.

  “I particularly enjoyed the hands-on experience with the Strykers and Bradley Fighting Vehicles. A lot of great information to take back to students.”
Mile Mettler, Building Trades Instructors, Indianola High School, Indianola, Iowa

  “The tour in its entirety was terrific. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to observe and experience a slice of Army life!”
Ollie Meyer, Dean of Admissions, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minn.

 “I thought the visit to the Blackhawk Helicopters was the most interesting part of the tour.  I left with a more favorable perception of the Army following the tour.”
Gregory Moon, Work Experience Coordinator, Humboldt High School, St. Paul, Minn.

  “Excellent people leading, organizing and coordinating the tour. This was very educational and a great experience. Thank you very much. You are great people and I thank you and appreciate your service to our country!”
Craig Oftedahl, Superintendent Warroad Public Schools, Warroad, Minn.

  “I am wishing to have more Army recruiters reach out to my community.  I will love to see more young people in my community enlist in the Army in the future. Lt. Col. David Kim (commander of Army and Army Reserve recruiting in Minn., Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota & Moline, Ill.) and Dr. Susan Larson, (education services specialist for the same area) have agreed to arrange a town hall meeting with youth and elders.”
Chu Pheng Lee, Vice President, Lao Family Community of Minnesota

“My most memorable experiences during the tour included jumping from the 34-foot tower, learning about Army equipment, and viewing the Leadership Reaction Course where Soldiers utilized critical thinking and teamwork to overcome the obstacles.  I thought the tour was excellent.”
Dr. Arthur Pitz, Professor, Black Hawk College, Moline, Ill.

  “Thanks for giving me the opportunity to learn about the great benefits the Army has to offer.  I like that we started from the bottom (reception center) and all the other experiences, especially all the opportunities for post-secondary and family members.”
Denise Quinlan, Assistant Superintendent St. Paul, Minnesota, Public Schools

  “I found witnessing the new recruits in action and the Leadership Reaction Course to be the most interesting part of the tour.  I’d like to get more information about educational opportunities and job opportunities the Army has for my students.”
Elisa Rasmussen, Professional Education Manager, Rassmusen College, Lake Elmo, Minn.

  “I had some prior exposure to the Army to include having  an Army recruiter speak to my class. But seeing is believing.  It is better to have directly participated in and observed basic training. Observing the typical first day of the recruit was most informative.  Since the students we work with will experience basic training and that is a major concern for most.  Excellent tour. I left with a very positive image of the Army.”
Rick Rivard, Career Coordinator, St. Paul Harding High School, St. Paul, Minn.

  “Prior to this tour I would have rated my knowledge of Army training and educational programs as good, but I was so wrong!  I found the hands-on activities and meeting with the Soldiers to talk about their experiences the most interesting part of the tour.”
Terry Sadler, Teacher, Warroad High School, Warroad, Minn.

  “Our tour guides were excellent and I consider the tower jump and visit to the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center the most informative part of the tour.”
Colleeen Slavik, Counselor, Shenandoah High School, Shenandoah, Iowa

  “Even though I come from a family background with Army ties, I had never gotten the chance to see first hand, up close, the activities at an Army installation. The hands-on learning was a wonderful experience!”
Donna Small, History Teacher, Indianola High School, Indianola, Iowa

   “The three most interesting parts of the tour included seeing the Soldiers during in-processing, experiencing the Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Strykers and watching the Leadership Course.  I thought the tour was wonderful.”
Gina Sobania, Academic Credit Coordinator, Minn. State Colleges and Universities

  “Everthing about the tour was great.  I particularly enjoyed our interaction with the new recruits.  I rate the tour as excellent.”
Crystal Stockdale, University of Iowa, Davenport, Iowa

 “Talking to the Soldiers at each venue was the most informative and interesting portion of the trip.  It reminded me that the Army has a face.   Also, having the personnel  from the Recruiting Battalion there to answer any and all questions we had (especially after a stop or experience), about military life in general and their experiences and their military occupational specialty in particular, was beneficial.  It added another level of personal insight.” 
Diane Sturgeon, Guidance Counselor, Brandon Valley High School, Brandon, South Dakota

 “The whole tour was great, the leadership was right on. We were able to experience the same things new recruits did and that was perfect.”
Mark Sward, Woodshop Instructor, St. Paul Harding High School, St. Paul, Minn.

  “All the variety of activities during the tour was impressive.   The most interesting part  was actually being at Fort Benning and experiencing the event first-hand.
Craig Taylor, Physical Education Teacher, Creston High School, Creston, Iowa

 “I absolutely loved the hands-on experience! It gives you a new respect for what our young men and women go through. You treated us like kings! I cannot thank you  enough.  I was also thinking that if you could get the students here like this they would sign up in a heartbeat!  I know it sure made me think.”
Diann Terpstra, History Teacher, Brandon Valley High School, Brandon, South Dakota

   “I enjoyed eating lunch with the new recruits and I was most impressed by the Leadership Reaction Course.  Also, watching the new enlistees on day zero was very informative.”
Carl Tesch, Technology Supervisor, Lake Area Technical Institute, Watertown, South Dakota

  “The entire staff deserves to be recognized for their outstanding effort, attitude and professionalism. Thank you!”
Jerome Utecht, Career Explorers & Tech, St. Paul Harding High School, St. Paul, Minn.

“My perception of Army training is now much more favorable.  I found the problem solving excercises at the Leadership Reaction Course and being able to talk with Soldiers just starting their training the best part of the tour.” 
Mark Vrklan, Industrial Tech. Teacher, Le Suer-Henderson High School, LeSueur, Minn.