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

Competing for Warrior Flight

      Many things happened for the cadets of Det. 415 over the course of this week.  For PT, the members of Delta Flight faced Alpha Flight in several games of Icarus.  Though the members of Alpha flight gained the lead early and never slacked, Delta Flight was able to secure victory in a decisive showing of tactical knowledge and physical excellence.  On the next PT day, Delta Flight faced Bravo Flight in both Icarus and ultimate Frisbee.  To the shock of everyone involved, Bravo Flight was able to win consistently.  Their celebrations would be short-lived, however; Delta Flight was able to dominate Bravo Flight in several games of ultimate Frisbee that same morning.

            In AS100 class, Lieutenant Johnson briefed the freshman cadets on Air Force public relations.  Over the course of the class, Lt. Johnson covered examples of Airmen carrying out positive events for public relations (such as helping with disaster relief efforts, both foreign and domestic), and examples of how Airmen should not conduct themselves.  To illustrate incorrect behavior when on television, Lt. Johnson pointed out the flaws of Antoine Dodson and Sweet Brown’s actions when they were interviewed.

            Over the course of the week, every cadet had to face the same academic challenges they must face every week.  Though the courses each cadet is taking may differ from one another, no cadet was spared from having to complete seemingly endless hours of lectures, discussions, homework, and studying.  However, it was not all work and no play, at least for one particular group of freshman cadets.  The movie Interstellar had released and Cadet Weingartener, Cadet Warren, Cadet Gassie, Cadet Harris, and I decided to see it together.  After nearly losing our way to the theater (all while being directed by Cadet Gassie…), we were eventually able to make our way to our seats and proceeded to be mesmerized by the beautiful, albeit highly confusing, work of director Christopher Nolan.  Though some cadets were reduced to tears by the movie, every cadet in attendance agreed that the movie was outstanding in the end.

            In Gopher Football, Cadet Hubbard and I carried out flag detail for the American flag prior to the game.  Despite being our first time conducting the detail, the whole process went off without a hitch.  The American and POW flags were raised with dignity at the appropriate time and neither touched the ground at any point.  Sadly, this marked the high point in the game, as the Gophers were unable to secure a victory against the Buckeyes, leaving every cadet and Gopher fan in attendance highly disappointed.

-Cadet Pederson 

Retreat

The week began with an eventful, and stressful, Lead Lab. It was the 100’s first glimpse at outdoor marching and it showed us the importance of fully being able to perform the commands we have been learning all semester. The destination of our outdoor excursion was to Williams Arena where a Retreat ceremony was to be practiced. Retreat is the act of taking down the flag. Our nation’s colors flying in the wind and surrounded by our fellow wingmen reminded many of us of why we are in ROTC. Once we had completed Retreat and successfully marched back, Lead Lab continued with a lively game of Battle Ship. Battle Ship consists of flights marching around the gym while trying to run into other flights in column formation. This turned into a hectic event, which resulted in recitation of Warrior knowledge. Lead Lab ended with a GMC discussion about our views on the detachment and the usual announcements. In this time, we were reminded through a motivational brief that the Air Force requires 100% effort every day, and anything less will not be enough.

PT this week took a fun turn now that the FA has been completed. Tuesday morning the detachment’s morale was boosted and cadet bonding was strengthened. This was aided by a pancake breakfast, compliments of the POC and MWR flight. The intake of calories rather than the burning off at PT was a well-earned break. The following PT session brought the GMC more competition, specifically for Warrior Flight. They competed in a game of Ultimate Frisbee and Icarus (a game designed for the Air Force, but similar to dodgeball).

Last, but not least, Color Guard presented wonderfully at the Gophers VS Hawkeyes Game, which is good considering it was Military Appreciation Day at the stadium. The Gophers also beat the Hawkeyes 51-14.

-Cadet Weingartner

  (JMAC)-