Rainbow Warriors create bond through Heroes example

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal | Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football players play a game of tug-of-war as U.S. Army Soldiers, 25th Infantry Division observe, June 25, 2016, at the Lightning Academy located on the East Training Range, Hawaii. The event was a part of an Adaptive Leader’s Course round robin event where the football players worked with Soldiers to cultivate teamwork and critical thinking skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal)  

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI, UNITED STATES

06.25.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal 

DMA Pacific - Hawaii Media Bureau   

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – Traditional war cries echoed outside of the Mission Training Complex at Schofield Barracks as Rainbow Warriors football players and Soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division Hui Ha’a team performed their respectful Hakas. The football players and Soldiers embraced one another after the ceremony, recognizing each other’s efforts, a show of respect that would be shared throughout the day of team building.

The football players’ trip to Schofield Barracks and the 25th Infantry Division Lightning Academy was a part of an event to cultivate teamwork alongside U.S. Army Soldiers, June 25. It also provided a chance for Soldiers and players to pay respects to UH Alumni Warrior 1st. Lt. Nainoa K. Hoe who was killed in Iraq in January 2005.

“One of the things over the years that we encouraged the Army to do and we’ve done that by simply setting an example is to recognize and honor Nainoa’s Hawaiian heritage,” said Allen Hoe, Veteran and father of Nainoa. “The examples of leadership he demonstrated and exhibited in combat moved an incredible number of his Soldiers as well as his leadership…For us today, it was a given that it would be very appropriate that when the football team arrived at Schofield that they would be required to go through a traditional native protocol, announce who they are, and why they were there.”

They were there to pay respects and through others examples of leadership, build upon their teams dynamics by completing Army tasks. Tasks consisted of team building obstacles focused on problem solving, a tug-of-war concentrated on trust, and a critical thinking group event where communication was key. The football players also had the chance to ride in a CH-47 Chinook.

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) of the University of Hawai’i helped facilitate the event where both the Soldiers and players could learn something new about leadership.

“We can really get that interface where they could see what we do and we can see what they do,” said U.S. Army Capt. David Carl, 2-35 Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. “You have some natural leaders out there, you have some that will emerge, they may have some great ideas, and that’s the framework of how this works. They’ll combine all those things together. They’re developing new skills that help them become better leaders themselves.”

Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea, Defensive End for the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors, said that the experience with the Soldiers was one that has benefited not only him but University of Hawai’i football as a whole.

“It was a blast today,” Kema-Kaleiwahea said. “We got to work with guys on our team that we don’t get to work with every day. Overall it just created a stronger bond on the team. This just builds a tougher team and I’m excited to go into war with these guys.”

The cooperative exchange between Pacific Soldiers and the University of Hawaii ROTC is a recurring event with members of the Army and ROTC hoping it will continue for years to come.

• Date Taken: 06.25.2016
• Date Posted: 06.28.2016 17:46
• Story ID: 202686
• Location: SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI, US