Academy conducts Commandant's Challenge 2006

  • Published
  • By Cadet 2nd Class Erinn Woodside
  • Cadet Squadron 34
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  The Air Force Academy cadet wing completed the annual Commandant's Challenge here Nov. 19. The three-day challenge was their culminating fall semester training event.

The training event serves as the cadet wing's operational readiness inspection and tests leadership skills, physical fitness and drill and ceremonies.

On the final morning, nearby Jacks Valley became a mock war zone, complete with helicopters, gas explosions, wounded soldiers and convoy operations in preparation for the field training exercise.

Each cadet squadron moved through a series of courses simulating wartime leadership challenges they might face after graduation. The courses included self-aid buddy care, convoy operations, chemical warfare and bare base set up, with land navigation between each course.

Even though cadets had been preparing for FTX, they had no idea what to expect once they got to Jacks Valley. Each course scenario was kept secret so cadets would have an opportunity to lead in ill-defended circumstances.

As a flight of cadets approached the self-aid buddy care course they were met by screaming "wounded victims" and hidden improvised explosive devices. As expected, some lower-class cadets stood in confusion. Upper class cadets took charge and gave orders to set up a safety perimeter, care for victims and sweep for IEDs.

The second major part of the exercise was the "PT challenge," also kept secret. The PT challenge was designed to test a cadet's physical fitness and teamwork. The surprise course consisted of one mile running intervals mixed with push-ups, sit-ups and sprint sets. The overall course length was between 3.5 and 6 miles depending on which class the cadet was in.

In addition to FTX and the PT challenge, cadets also participated in marching drill, room and uniform inspections, military knowledge tests and a culmination parade.

The overall objective of Commandant's Challenge was to give cadets an opportunity to lead under pressure and unexpected situations.

The goal was to give cadets a taste of what "leadership under fire" means.

"I'm not going to give you the answer, I'm going to give you the goal" said Brig. Gen. Susan Desjardins, Academy commandant of cadets. The emphasis on leadership and teamwork in high stress situations was new this year. In the past, cadets knew exactly what to expect during each event in the Commandant's Challenge.

Cadet 2nd Class Stuart Hawkins, a cadet NCO, said they took feedback from years past and redirected the focus, to make the event more meaningful and effective.

Another change made to this year's Commandant's Challenge was the use of faculty members, permanent party and Academy military trainers as course cadre. In previous years a large portion of the cadet wing was used as staff to help run the massive three-day event.

This year, the number of cadets who could actually participate in Commandant's Challenge was maximized by using base officers and NCOs to fill those spots. Many of the officers and NCOs found the experience of working Commandant's Challenge rewarding. Maj. Ron Cheatham, Cadet Squadron 7's air officer commanding, played the role of a terrorist ambushing a cadet convoy. He volunteered for the job to see how cadets reacted to the situation.

Tech. Sgt. Victoria Morgan, Cadet Squadron 7, also played a terrorist. She said participating in the event gave her an opportunity to work closely with officers and to train cadets.

Cadets and others agreed that this year's Commandant's Challenge was a success.

In the future, cadets and permanent party want to make Commandant's Challenge an even more meaningful event, an event that will be anticipated for its leadership and teamwork tests.

"Before Commandant's Challenge, I thought cadets were burned out from the stress of daily life," said Cadet 2nd Class Stuart Hawkins, Cadet Squadron 21. "But I saw that cadets are just looking for an opportunity to really lead others and make a difference."

This year marked the third Commandant's Challenge held at the Academy.