Photo By Staff Sgt. Hector Corea | Cadet Rebecca Cardwell, left, a senior with the Santa Clara University Reserve...... read more read more
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. - As the air stood still, the soldiers crawled. They moved slowly, and silently, attempting to mask their movement through the thick green brush while avoiding the bright rays of light filtering through the trees.
“POP, POP, POP.” The first rounds of shots broke the silence. A wall of paintballs followed, aimed directly at opposition forces. Several minutes later the order came, “CEASEFIRE, CEASEFIRE.”
This was no ordinary firefight— empty on paintball rounds and full of excitement, cadets with the UC Berkeley, University of San Francisco, and Santa Clara University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps moved onto their next training mission to test their abilities as future Army leaders.
The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a college academic program that teaches leadership fundamentals to help prepare cadets for a future in the Army.
“This program is a sort of soft landing into the Army,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Suhr, professor of military science with the U.C. Berkeley ROTC program. “We take the natural tendencies of new cadets and use them as building blocks to help them become better leaders ... it’s a transition from civilian to soldier, to cadet, and eventually to an officer in the Army.”
Nearly 100 cadets from all three schools — UC Berkeley, USF and Santa Clara University — came together April 10-12 to practice their leadership abilities in woods near Fort Hunter Liggett, California. The training tested their abilities to navigate terrain, conduct patrols, perform detainee operations and first-aid procedures.
“We’re using this tactical training to test their leadership abilities, and specifically, their critical thinking skills to see how they react to unpredictable situations,” said Lt. Col. Sean Williams, professor of military science with the USF ROTC program.
One such unpredictable situation was the firefight with opposing forces, which used paintballs to simulate casualties. This required cadets in leadership positions to coordinate movements of their peers and ensure accountability of their soldiers.
“You’re here because you want a simulated war-time environment,” said cadet Christopher Oliver, with the UC Berkeley ROTC. “This helps provide experience in leading others through challenging situations, and helps you find a feel for your leadership style.”
“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Rebecca Cardwell, a senior cadet with the Santa Clara University ROTC program. “We are learning how to be a leader and a team player.”
Cadets find that leadership abilities gained from confronting a challenging environment are useful outside of the Army as well.
“This gets me out of my comfort zone, which helps me in my civilian life,” said Christine Zhang, a cadet with the USF ROTC program, who is currently pursuing a nursing degree. “Training in the ROTC requires you to think on your feet, and as a future nurse, I may confront emergency situations that require me to competently react.”
“Real leadership experience in the ROTC also gives you a leg-up when pursuing employment,” said Suhr. “Compared to other applicants without real experience leading individuals, time spent in the Army helps young job-seekers get a step in the door.”
The opportunity to practice and learn valuable leadership skills comes with added benefits cherished by many cadets— valuable mentorships and a sense of camaraderie and belonging.
“The ROTC program is full of fantastic people,” said Cardwell, a River Falls, Wisconsin, native. “During these shared experiences, I’ve built bonds and connected on a different level with fellow cadets, who have become my close friends.”
The senior cadets who will soon graduate speak fondly of their time in their respective ROTC programs and look forward to service in the Army or Army Reserve.
“This has been the best decision I’ve made,” said cadet Jack Profaci, a Maplewood, New Jersey, native with the USF ROTC program. “When I graduate this year, I will get both a college degree and a commission in the Army.”
While the weekend training came to an end, many of the cadet participants saw it only as a beginning step on a path to self-development and improvement.
“Military service really helps put things into perspective,” said Oliver. “This has definitely developed me as a better speaker and leader, the Army has changed my life and made me a better person.”
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.13.2015 01:54 |
| Story ID: | 159797 |
| Location: | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CA, US |
| Hometown: | MAPLEWOOD, NJ, US |
| Hometown: | RIVER FALLS, WI, US |
| Web Views: | 327 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ROTC student Soldiers learn, train, lead, by SSG Hector Corea, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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