Inside…
ROTC Weekend Training Lifts Spirits
By Cadet Michael Turner
The Pirate Battalion (click image to enlarge)
On the morning of Oct. 3, the Hampton University Army ROTC program took to the skies over Chesapeake Bay to initiate a weekend of rigorous field training exercises. During their three days at Ft. Eustis, the Pirate Battalion learned valuable lessons, built strength in unity, and overcame a variety of obstacles on the road to commissioning successful young leaders into the U.S. Army.
Shortly upon arrival at Fort Monroe, Cadets were issued a safety briefing on how to load and unload a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. Less than an hour later, excited voices filled the air as Cadets eagerly filed onto the aircraft.
“I was excited,” said Cadet Eugene Lilliewood, a Spanish major from South Carolina. “I’ve been on airplanes my whole life but the helicopter was so much different.”
Before landing at Ft. Eustis, the pilot gave the Cadets a taste of what the helicopter could do. After dropping from 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) to 250 feet, flying below treetop level and popping up over the next group of trees at stomach-turning angles, the excitement overwhelmed some Cadets who had doubted the speed and agility of the aircraft just minutes before on the ground. Others cheered wildly as the pilot made a final hairpin turn onto the landing site.
“Never again,” said Cadet Arthur Flood. “I’m officially afraid of heights.”
Moving from the landing site to the obstacle course, Cadets were anxious to release the pent up energy of their nerves. A competitive spirit engulfed the Battalion as they raced against the clock to scale platforms, leap over pits, and swing from bars. The victors were rewarded with the promise of even more obstacles to come.
The focus of the weekend training event was to build teamwork, establish a cohesive bond between Cadets of all levels, and challenge those who may have had doubts about their own abilities—all within a tactical environment. The majority of training conducted was meant to introduce Cadets to practical land navigation. At night, the Battalion set up camp and slept beneath clear skies.
Freshman Cadet Stanley Nickarz pulls himself over
a swamp using a one-rope bridge during the
commander's event.
On Sunday, Cadets participated in the “commander’s event” that included a 2 mile road march, a one-rope bridge over water and a ravine, and land navigation, among other things—all under the weight of a 40 pound ruck sack.
As training concluded, the Pirate Battalion stood tall—a full weekend of training behind them.
“I was very proud of the performance that I saw this weekend,” said Cadet Steven Coble, the Pirate Battalion Commander. “Everyone was motivated and I was pleasantly surprised by the actions of the cadets, whether they were freshman or juniors.”