Pangilinan heads class on counseling techniques

By Sgt. Fabian Indalecio
Special to the Saipan Tribune

Sgt. Edward Pangilinan was recently presented a certificate of appreciation for conducting a class on Combat Stress Management for the Echo Company Non-Commissioned Officers leaders.

Maj. Franklin R. Babauta, Company Commander for the Echo Company, 100th Battalion, 442D Infantry, presented the certificate to Pangilinan on Oct. 4 in Iraq.

As part of the U.S. Army’s requirements, all NCO leaders must attend classes that deal with Combat Stress Management for themselves and their soldiers. Pangilinan’s class focused on proper counseling techniques to provide leaders with skills in dealing with subordinate soldiers who might possibly be experiencing combat-related stress.

Pangilinan said that “many soldiers’ views on counseling are always negative” so he introduced ways to change those views amongst his fellow NCOs.

“Being in a combat environment, many things can go through a soldier’s mind and, as leaders, we should find the proper way to approach each one of our soldiers without inducing more stress. We can either make or break the soldier,” said Pangilinan.

With their redeployment approaching fast in a few months, the soldiers of Echo Company are bracing for their last days in the war-torn country of Iraq. There are still many dangers that they have to face and the leaders are constantly preparing themselves diligently for their redeployment back to Hawaii and then back home. These presentations conducted for leaders by Pangilinan are just among the few items on a long list of objectives to try and meet the soldiers’ needs to adjust back to civilian life.

Pangilinan is one of seven Public School System teachers who are currently fighting the war on terrorism. From the classroom as a teacher to a soldier in a combat environment in Iraq, Pangilinan’s leadership and teaching skills is an asset to the Army and his fellow soldiers of the Echo Company.

“He deserves the certificate of recognition and therefore, I’m assigning Sgt. Pangelinan to assist me in the redeployment planning phase,” said Babauta.

Pangilinan said that, “My ongoing experience in Iraq faces many challenges, and I’m thankful to my wife for supporting me during my long absence away from home. I’m ready to go back home to my families and I’m looking forward to returning back to work at school.”