LLIP Warrior Day

On 3 May the members of Det 415 went to MN Pro Paintball, a paintball course located in Lakeville, MN for a day of fun and learning.  This year’s LLIP/Warrior Day event is an exercise for the GMC flights to employ battlefield tactics in a simulated combat situation. The course consisted of eight different battlefields and we used four for the scenarios planned for the different GMC flights. 

Each GMC flight was tasked with the same mission.  Their performance will be tracked and scored based on the amount of time it takes for them to accomplish the four assigned missions, as well as by the number of side missions they are able to complete along the way.

The overall mission, along with the side missions, were tailored in way to allow the cadets to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of battlefield tactics that are outlined in the Airman’s Manual, as well as the tactics they will learn in more depth and practice at Field Training.  Such tactics included self-aid buddy care, public relations, small unit tactics, tactical field marches, and clearing buildings. Resources the GMC cadets can use to learn about the previously mentioned tactics were provided to them prior to the event with enough time for them to go over them as a flight and be prepared to use them during the exercise. At the end of the scenarios we grilled out and then played paintball as a large group before heading home.

Cadet Sawina - AS300

After one of the proudest moments in my cadet career graduating from Field Training and getting Iron Woman I was right back into school to start the next school year. This time as a member of the Professional Officer Course (POC).  My first position in the Wing was as a trainer for the Field Training Preparation flight.  This was a very rewarding experience being able to positively influence and help the AS200 class in their development. I was able to watch the cadets grow and learn from their mistakes and give them the tips and tricks I have learned along the way.

My second position was as Physical Training Commander, my job was to plan and execute the physical training twice a week to the Wing. The experience was unique in the fact that even though I was not part of wing staff, during PT I was the one in charge of the entire wing.

It’s a whole new experience being on the other side and having cadets looking up to you for advice or guidance, one that each member of my class has stepped into this year to continue their development as a leader.  The 300 class has become closer than ever this year as we faced that transition, assisting each other in one way or another along the way and the countless weekends we spend together.  We used to be a flight of GMC cadets always together to perform a task. But this year we got assigned individual tasks as leaders. We had to realize that even though we are not IN the same flight or squadron we still ARE a flight and help each other with tasks that are not always our job. We have come a long way in terms of becoming a team since our freshman year. We have made many friends along the way that have not been able to continue on with our class or the program.  However, since the 300 class size has now become a constant until we commission we know exactly who we have as our wingman and can count on each person in our class for anything.

Our class next year will be transitioning to the Executive staff level, of positions such as Wing and Group commanders. My class and I are hoping to continue what the current AS400s have started and finish out our time as Cadets here leaving a legacy to follow.  I couldn’t ask for a better group of Cadets to share this year with and I am looking forward to what the future will hold for the class of 2015 in our final year together. 

Cadet Leveille - FTP/AS200

It typically takes 4 years to process Air Force ROTC training. In the first year, college freshman learn the basics, from marching to knowledge about the Air Force to various leadership styles. The role of these AS100 cadets is to simply learn as much as they can, from both the sophomore AS200 cadets training with them, and from the upperclassmen AS300 and AS400s who actually train them.

            In the second year of the program, expectations are increased dramatically. AS200s, AS250s (cadets who are initially joining the program as sophomores), and AS500s (cadets who did not attend field training following their first AS200 year) are all preparing to compete for an enrollment allocation to field training, and if they earn one, prepare for field training itself. I am an AS500, and so that is where I am now.

            Field training preparation is designed to be both stressful and educational. It is supposed to give cadets a taste of the intensity and pressure they will face at the month long field training in Alabama and Louisiana, and teach them how to work through those situations as well. The best part of the AFROTC program design, is that cadets who are most recent graduates of field training, are the ones who carry out the training for those preparing to go. These returning graduates impart all of their knowledge and experience onto the next generation, teaching them from their own mistakes and successes.

            Field training preparation can get extremely frustrating at times. Everything that the cadets in FTP flight do must be standardized and executed in the shortest time possible, operating at the speed of excellence. This means that mundane tasks, such as how names are written on papers, to how items are carried in hands, to how towels are folded, or how uniform items are stored, must be carried out in the exact same manner by every cadet in the flight. With 14+ people each with their own idea of what the most efficient way to do something, it can be difficult for the flight to work together and get the job done. Another complication is the way cadets interpret each other’s ideas. Folding a towel, or a shirt, or any other sort of uniform item can be incredibly difficult without demonstrating the folds as they are explained. Ultimately, if a task isn’t carried out to perfection, or within the set amount of time, FTP cadets are required to repeat the task until they do so successfully.

            The monotony of doing such training exercises can be boring, frustrating, and even demotivating. But that’s where having flight-mates comes into play. These 14+ people who are working to accomplish a task, aren’t working to accomplish it themselves. An FTP flight is comprised of cadets who are willing to give 100% effort to make the person next to them look better. These cadets make sacrifices so that the flight is successful. 1 person can work to make themselves successful, but a group of people working outside of their own goals to achieve the flight’s goals is an awesome experience to be a part of.

            Few people can say they have contributed to something bigger than themselves. This commonality between all cadets, freshmen through seniors, is what the close relationships, mentorships, and friendships in Det 415 are built on. The flight or unit mentality spills over, out of training, and into the rest of our college lifestyles. We are always looking out for each other, whether its academics, personal lives, or other areas. Joining Air Force ROTC is more than pursuing a career in the Air Force; it’s joining a family with which ties will last a lifetime.

Jon Leveille