Taking the plunge, Cadets learn and grow at the National Training Center

Courtesy Photo | A Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet from the Arroyo Valley High School holds the company colors as cadets form up after completing JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge training event March 27.  

FORT IRWIN, CA, UNITED STATES

06.06.2011

Courtesy Story

Fort Irwin Operations Group

By Capt. Jeffrey J. Tebo,

FORT IRWIN, Calif. – Approximately 250 junior cadets from schools throughout the Inland Empire region visited Fort Irwin and the National Training Center, March 25-29, to learn about leadership, team work, and develop confidence.

High school students and JROTC cadets teamed up with combat trainers on the Operations Group’s Tarantula Team, Fort Irwin Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and MEDDAC as part of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Leadership Challenge.

JROTC cadets represented schools in Arroyo Valley, Blair, Canyon Springs, Carter, John Muir, Kaiser, Montclair, Oak Hills, Palo Verde, Pasadena, Perris and Riverside.

Cadet’s conducted a modified combat water survival test in combat gear while wearing an Army Combat Uniform, March 27. Cadets jumped from the diving board, hit the water, and released their weapon and tactical vest before swimming to safety.

All the cadets took the plunge, some with more eagerness than others. The test helped build confidence and answered the question, “How do you swim with all this stuff on?”

“Once you stop over-thinking it and just jump, it’s easy,” a drenched cadet said as he encouraged those waiting their turn on the high dive platform.

Another station saw cadets introduced to airborne operations with a lucky cadet from each company suiting up and undergoing a Jump Master’s Pre-Inspection prior to the entire class simulating a mass exit jump with static lines and jump commands.

According to Jump Master Capt. Joshua Brown, the training was “a great opportunity for cadets to see what challenges await them as junior leaders and the possibilities that exist.”

Physical training, team building exercises and a question and answer period rounded out the training for the JROTC cadets who call the Inland Empire region home.

• Date Taken: 06.06.2011
• Date Posted: 06.06.2011 16:20
• Story ID: 71680
• Location: FORT IRWIN, CA, US