JMAC

On 7 November 2015, our detachment competed in the annual Joint Military Athletic Competition between the Naval and Army ROTC battalions here at the University of Minnesota. It was a super-fun day filled with great competition, and (most importantly) an Air Force victory. Saturday started off with a competition involving the entire corps of cadets here at the U: the cadence push-up. This competition involved doing push-ups on a cadence; the last team with 6 remaining participants was declared the winner. The Air Force set the tone for the day by winning this competition while showing extreme motivation in the process. 

Next came the warrior relay. This event consisted of a log carry, tire flips, pull-ups, more push-ups, and a series of exercises held in a relay format. After a hard-fought battle, the Air Force came in second to the Navy squad. The time then came for the events in the sports dome, which (as a fun side note) the joint force helped construct. 

 The first competitions in dome were ultimate Frisbee and flag football. The ultimate Frisbee team put up a valiant effort, but fell short due to the numerous substitutions we were required to rotate through. The flag football team put up a good fight, beating Army and tying with Navy. Cadet Lamers was able to go out on a winning record after having captained the team for the past 2 seasons.


After this came the soccer and volleyball competitions in the sports dome and the Armory gym respectively. With true air superiority, the Air Force dominated the skies on the volleyball court, going undefeated and securing the Air Force’s position at the top of the leaderboard. The soccer team also posted a winning record with a victory over Navy one to nil, and 1-1 tie with the Army’s ground forces. Everyone then enjoyed a lunch of Subway sandwiches while the points were tallied. It was announced that the competition was in a tie; a tiebreaker was necessary. The Air Force then proceded to dominate the Navy in not one, but 2 tug of war competitions, sealing the deal for the Air Force’s victory.

-Cadet Beck

Costume PT

On the morning of 29 October, something unusual was happening in the Rec Center Field House. Where one could typically find upwards of 70 gray-and-blue-clad cadets engaged in challenging exercises, stood a collection of conspicuously costumed characters. Det 415’s Physical Training, in recognition of Halloween two days later, was open to as whimsical and ridiculous a costume as one wanted (within the bounds of taste, of course).

 I was the only one in costume upon my arrival at 0600, dressed as a jovial alien, but the numbers promptly increased. Cadet Clark chose to be a convincing Special Operator (complete with beard), Cadet Wells made a timely entrance as Marty McFly from Back to the Future, and Cadet Donahue’s appearance as a 300 Spartan suited his mountainous frame well. From wizards to ninjas to Jurassic Park Rangers, the diversity and creativity on display was nothing short of exceptional. Only one, however, elicited Wing-wide applause upon entrance: As Cadet Hagood swagged down the hallway, the cadets gathered there erupted in uproarious laughter at the sight of his hustling garb.

For PT itself, the Cadet Wing was treated to an hour of dodgeball. The athleticism on display was phenomenal; encumbered though they were, many of the cadets in the bulkiest costumes played the longest and hardest. The matches varied from POC vs. GMC, to Costume vs. PT Uniforms. All in all, PT was a highly effective motivational tool, injecting camaraderie and humor into an often serious activity.

-Cadet Mitchell

Army 10 Mile

On Sunday, 11 October, six of Detachment 415’s cadets participated in the 31st annual Army Ten Miler run in Washington DC. The event is put on by the US Army and is run by around 30,000 athletes from all over the United States. With teams in divisions ranging from Wounded Warriors to elites to ROTC detachments to active duty service members, this is one of the largest road races in the country. Our AFROTC team (consisting of Cadets Lucas Schaper, Joseph Scholl, Jon Leveille, Daniel Zastrow, and myself) competed in the ROTC division while Cadet Kaitlyn LaFrance competed in the Open Women’s division on the Minneapolis area team sponsored by the local Vessey chapter. 

Having run track and cross country in high school, when I heard about the opportunity to try out for the detachment’s team, I knew this was a chance that I could not let pass me by. Training for this ten mile race began in the middle of August, just before I came to college.  The format of the training followed a similar plan to that of my past running seasons: build a base of mileage, begin working on the speed aspect your race, and finally, taper off to be at one’s fastest on the day of the biggest race. However, our training did include some new experiences for me, specifically training in the morning, usually at 0600 or 0620, as well as increased mileage to be ready for the longer race than what I was used to. These new aspects added a level of uncertainty to the whole experience for me as I wondered if I would not only be able to keep up with my faster teammates in practice, but also if I would be able to handle the early mornings and harder practices while at the same time trying to adjust to a new home at college, make friends, and start classes. As time passed and the final race in Washington DC grew nearer though, I began to realize that there was no reason for me to be concerned about my performance or whether or not this event would be something that I could handle. The greatest thing that I gained from this experience was a group of mentors to rely on as well as an extremely valuable sense of comradery from my teammates and those are the things that would later pull me through not only the weeks training, but also the more difficult parts of the final race.

The day before the race, Saturday, 10 October, our team met at the Minneapolis airport to fly to Washington DC. After connecting in Chicago, we landed at Reagan National Airport to be met by our coach, Mr. DeJesus, and the night before the race was spent enjoying a team dinner at the hotel with the Army teams from University of Minnesota as well as St. John’s. The next morning, we met in the lobby of our hotel at 0530 to walk to the start of the race about a mile away at the Pentagon. After passing through athlete security, we walked up to the starting line for the first wave of the race, in which we would be starting. Finally, at 0800, our wave stepped off to begin the ten mile race through the city of Washington DC, passing by countless monuments and historical buildings along the way. Personally, the entire race went by in a blur. Even as we spent time touring the monuments and the Pentagon (guided by Air Force Colonel David Stimac)  later that evening, I couldn’t seem to remember the roads we had run on or just how close we had been to so many significant buildings along the way. However, I do clearly remember crossing the finish line after ten miles (some of which can only be described as filled with agony) and feeling as though there was nothing that I could not do. While I was exhausted, I had also just overcome a very difficult task, for which I had been very nervous. Not only that, but I had also completed the race with a new personal record. To me, it was very exciting to come home with a first place trophy for my age group, but even more exciting was the fact that I got the opportunity to compete among a large number of the nation’s finest servicemen and women, create incredible bonds with older cadets who were both my teammates and members of opposing teams, and see our nation’s capital side-by-side with some of Detachment 415’s best mentors and athletes.

The Culmination of an Underclassmen Cadet: Field Training

As the new year begins, many cadets here at Detachment 415 are transitioning into new roles.  No such transition compares to that of the underclassmen to upperclassmen, GMC (general military course) to POC (professional officer course), the culmination of 2 years of training.  This is achieved upon successful completion of our ROTC equivalent of basic training, Field Training. Field training is designed to evaluate cadets' leadership potential and discipline.  Most days start around 4:00 a.m. and end around 9:00 p.m.  Cadets are tested in physical fitness, drill, the Field Training Manual and the Airman's Manual.  Failure in any of these areas results in being sent home.  The first half is housed in-garrison at Maxwell Air Force Base, in Alabama. The second phase includes a 14-day mock deployment to Camp Shelby, Mississippi.  Here cadets are put to the test in field work and a simulated down-range environment.

Upon arrival, cadets are placed into a flight of roughly 20 other cadets from all across the country. Over the next 27 days, these cadets grow both physically and mentally together as their skills are put to the test.  The friendships and bonds created down at Field Training are of those to last a lifetime.

After a long month of training, cadets are able to take part in a pass and review graduation ceremony. After stepping across the distinguished Air Force emblem during the parade, they have officially entered into the Professional Officer Course.

"It's the most fun you never want to have again."

The Warrior Mile

On Saturday, 7 March, members of Air Force ROTC and the University of Minnesota community participated in a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project, called the Warrior Mile. The goal of the event was to raise awareness and funds for WWP, an organization whose purpose is to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. Teams and individuals each took up the challenge of completing an entire mile of burpee broad jumps. At the end of the day, over $1,000  were raised for WWP and nearly 50 people had completed at least part of a mile of burpees.

This was actually the second year Detachment 415 has hosted the Warrior Mile and I have been involved in the planning and organizing both years. The event was started in the fall of 2013, when a senior cadet and mentor of mine challenged me to complete a mile of burpees. That challenge was ultimately the impetus for the Warrior Mile, because while it seemed silly to me to attempt such a feat without having some sort of overarching purpose, I thought it might be worth it to attempt a mile of burpees if it were for a great cause. With the help of Detachment 415 cadet and cadre leadership, my fellow cadets, and many generous family members, friends, and U of M students, the event has been a huge success each year.

In my experience, the process of organizing an event such as the Warrior Mile has three distinct phases. The first is the planning phase. This phase is filled with designing posters, confirming dates, setting up Facebook pages, registrations sites, and donation sites. While this phase requires the most man-hours, it is also very fun and exciting, because all of the organizers are filled with energy and work with fervor to get the event off on the right foot.

The second phase is what I like to call the “persuading phase” and it is by far the most stressful part of the entire planning process. For the 6 to 8 weeks leading up to the event, event organizers spend most of their time informing people about the Warrior Mile, updating the Facebook page, soliciting donations, and convincing and cajoling people to sign up to participate. If I had a dollar for every time I said, “You don’t have to do the WHOLE MILE alone,” I would probably have enough money to raise another $1,000 for WWP. This phase is so stressful because it is filled with questions. Will anyone sign up? Will we raise any money at all? What if this whole event is just a big flop? Thankfully, the group of cadets working on this project is incredibly dedicated and supportive and helps to assuage these fears.

The third and final phase is by far the best part of the entire process. This is the execution phase and it is the reason that I am so passionate about the Warrior Mile. The day of the event, I walk into the field house excited but also a little bit nervous. The fear that no one will donate or show up is still very real, but once the event begins, my worries are gone in a flash. Not only do dozens of people show their support for our cause through financial contributions and/or event participation, but each and every person who shows up is excited to be there. It is difficult to put into words the sense of gratification that comes from watching participants and supporters during the Warrior Mile; whether they are coming just to watch, to do a few laps, or are taking on the entire mile, each person involved is supportive of the people around them.  Furthermore, although they are attempting to do something that is physically and mentally exhausting, each participant rises to the challenge and gives it their all. Not a single person who set foot on that track backed down from the test and not a single person surrounding that track was hesitant to provide encouragement or support.

It is incredibly humbling to see the compassion, encouragement, and camaraderie that result from the collaborative action of dedicated, like-minded people. Both this year and last, I have left the Warrior Mile with a renewed faith in humanity and a greater appreciation for what a motivated group of people is capable of accomplishing. I look forward to helping make this event a new tradition at Detachment 415.

-Cadet Anna Burneske

Det 415's very own Ball Squad

On a blustery, frigid Minnesotan morning a team of highly-motivated, lethally-skilled AFROTC cadets embarked on the great voyage of the semester. It was 21 February at 0630 in the morning when the team huddled in the armory for their last farewells as they packed up their gear. Lines of bystanders littered the sidewalks to see them off. It was as if they were leaving for an epic battle. The three and a half our car ride seemed like minutes as the caravan of b-ballers blasted adrenaline pumping music in preparation for what was to come. Each team member focused on what he or she needed to do to bring glory back home. At approximately 1100 the caravan arrived at the front steps of the coliseum of their destiny, North Dakota State University's Armory Gymnasium. The ballers stepped on to foreign ground feeling confident and unafraid, with determination in their faces. In a 

matter of hours three games quickly flew by with blood, sweat, and tears the only remnants left behind as reminders of what happened on the court. The two freshmen phenomes, Cadet Clayton Beck and Cadet Nathan Gassie combined for a total of 23 points, not to mention a deadly block by Cadet Beck's brick-wall style defense. If I didn't know better, I swore I heard him call in the S.W.A.T. team! Our senior crew leading the team led the charge with a combined total of 75 points! It should be noted that Cadet Jon Leveille called in a precision air strike from far outside of enemy territory, knocking down a whopping seven 3-point shots! Cadets Travis Yang, Shawn Brown, and Emily Timinski provided close air support (CAS) with a combined total of 14 points to keep the adversary at bay. Although the team did not bring home the championship trophy, if it weren't for the hard work and team mentality of each of these individuals the war surely would have been lost. Thanks to their efforts, we are able to proudly walk away as a fierce competitor awaiting next year’s trials by combat! 

-Cadet Christian Wachter

Welcome Back!

            Even as the thermometer continues to plummet outside, Det. 415 continues on with the new semester with new leadership and new challenges. Students have been back now for four weeks of school and cadet activities here at Det. 415 are well underway with physical training and Leadership Laboratory.
            With the start of spring semester, the organization of the Cadet Wing tends to change a little from the fall with new leadership positions being assigned to cadets. The Wing is now being commanded by Cadet Elizabeth Seitz, with Cadet Michael Lamers taking over as deputy commander. The freshmen begin taking on more and more responsibility as they prepare to become stronger leaders.  The sophomore class splits off and becomes Field Training Preparation flight. This creates a more intense training environment similar to the one that they may face at Field Training this summer. Finally, the senior class begins looking to the future as commissioning day gets closer and closer. Many have already received their AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code) and base assignments, and are eagerly looking forward to the start of their new careers!
            Over the rest of the semester keep checking back here for new stories and updates on the Cadet Wing. With new stories and pictures updated each week this blog will be a great place to get the latest news on Det 415.

 

-Cadet Wells