Bryan P Fenton

U.S. Army

We train and supervise all volunteers assigned to sports teams, complete all required background checks for said volunteers, communicate and function with other CYS Army and Air Force youth sports programs for a fun and safe sports season – while addressing the needs of the community and implementing new and exciting programs for our CYS patrons,” Fisher said.

“There is a lot more to it than simply pumping up basketballs and ordering a few uniforms,” he added.

The Youth Sports and Fitness Division falls under U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Program’s Child and Youth Services. They offer 18 different sports programs targeting age groups from 3-15 years old.

“We generally record around 700 to 800 registrations for our sports program and several thousand participants from our Outreach/Fitness program every year,” said Fisher.

The Better Sports for Kids Program Provider Award is presented on a yearly basis. According to Fisher, the number of programs/ organizations that apply and receive this award varies from year to year, but it is open to all youth sports and youth recreation programs across the world that represent NAYS.

“I was informed by NAYS that our Baumholder Youth Sports & Fitness team was the only CYS Army program in Germany to receive this renewal designation award for 2023,” he said.

The Baumholder Youth Sports and Fitness Division was presented with the award for the first time in 2020.

Each competing organization was evaluated in the following categories: written policies and procedures, volunteer screening, coach training, parent education and accountability.

“Achieving this designation demonstrates our program has undergone a review process and has shown a commitment to the children and families we serve,” said Marcel Fisher, Youth Sports and Fitness director at Baumholder.

Fisher has been serving in his current role since 2019 and directs a team of four people dedicated to serving the military youth.

“Between myself as the director, Jahad Ghafari, assistant director, Andhia Campos, fitness specialist and Randy Ault, equipment & facilities support assistant, we cover a wide range of responsibilities and daily tasks,” Fisher said

The effect of this experience is what led Brown to his unconventional style of leadership. He said he is not worried about some of the institutional norms pertaining to the stuffiness of how leaders can react. People’s time on earth is so short and can end quickly, which is why he goes straight to connect with people.

“This might be my last and only opportunity to affect this person who I’m walking by, headed to the chow hall,” said Brown. “His life could end soon, my life could end soon and so, my leadership style is unconventional, immediate, constant and hopefully, impactful.”

Every leader out there has their own style or traits of interacting with their subordinates. For Mabis and Brown, there are several key traits which leaders should have.

“You have to set the right example for others to emulate and then you give people opportunities to lead and practice,” said Mabis.

Leadership to me means inspiring people to do great things,” said Col. Chris Mabis, commander of Kosovo Force Regional Command-East, currently stationed at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo.

“You can look at the [Army] doctrinal definition of leadership, which is to provide purpose, directions and motivation to reach a common goal, but to me, leadership personally means inspiring others to do those things that are hard.”

Mabis’ counterpart, Command Sgt. Maj. Joshua Brown, echoed the statement.

“Leadership, to me, is the ability to bring in the tide that lifts all boats, or all subordinates, and in this way, turning problems into opportunities,” Brown said.

Together Mabis and Brown have nearly 58 years serving in the United States Army and with that experience comes the knowledge of how to lead Soldiers and learn skills from others.