Over the past few days our Recruits have continued their training in basic cadet skills.
They are mastering their marching and other drill movements as well as other cadet skills.
On Thursday the recruits had a barracks inspection conducted by their commander, Major Campbell and Drill Sergeant Nordan.
Honestly, our recruits could have done better. :)
They did well in some areas but there is room for improvement in areas like bunk making and laying out their gear. Troop Handlers are working with them and they expect better results at the next inspection.
On Thursday evening, USAC was invited to participate in the annual Blackberry Festival Parade in Carlisle.
20 hand-picked recruits, led by Cadet Staff Sgt. Royce and a color guard consisting of four of our troop handlers marched in the two mile parade.
The Cadet Ranger Challenge Cadets traveled to the Winchester Fire and EMS Rappelling Tower. There they learned how to safely rappel. Lead by Lt. Col Gorman, 2nd. Lt. Land and Warrant Officer Smith, they spent a good part of the day learning and practicing both “Standard” and Australian style rappelling techniques.
Images from Thursday’s activity can be found at the NCTC Facebook:
General Images: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150365279518136.429137.350329073135
Blackberry Festival Parade:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150365343458136.429167.350329073135
Rappelling Tower:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150365597978136.429274.350329073135
Today (Friday) we started with a Physical Fitness test. Many of the test scores improved and two of our cadets received a perfect score of 300 points.
The Army Cadet Physical Fitness Test scores Cadets and Recruits on how many push-ups and sit-ups they can do as well as how fast they can run two miles.
Some of our highest scoring Recruits (RCT) were:
RCT Benjamin Clarke, 300 Points
RCT Tobias Dublin, 300 Points
RCT Samson Finch, 299 Points
RCT Jonathan Jimenez, 295 Points
RCT Vincent Abell, 292 Points
Tonight First Platoon is participating in “Pugil Sticks.” A pugil stick is a heavily padded pole-like training weapon used by military personnel for training in rifle and bayonet combat since the early 1940s. The pugil stick is similar to a quarterstaff or Japanese bo, and may be marked at one end to indicate which portion represents the bayonet proper and which the butt of the rifle.
Dr. Armond Seidler of the University of New Mexico invented the Pugil Stick training method during World War II. The training was initially adopted by the Marine Corps, but was later included in Army combat training as well. Dr. Seidler was given an award by the Marine Corps for his invention.
Pugil bouts are always conducted in the USAC with contact while wearing protective gear such as groin protectors, American football helmets, hockey gloves, and chest protectors or shin guards, such as worn by baseball catchers.
This training is conducted with maximum safety in mind, but the Recruits do have fun!
The Cadet Ranger Challenge participants traveled today to the Torrent Falls Rock Climbing Center at River Gore east of Lexington, Ky.
There the Cadets learned the basics of rock climbing and practiced those skills in climbing the various walls there.
Images from Friday’s activity can be found on the NCTC Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Cadet-Training-Center-Official/350329073135#!/media/set/?set=a.10150366058233136.429433.350329073135
This weekend we continue our training in preparation for several activities next week including the high ropes course, confidence course, water safety course and rifle marksmanship range.
On Sunday July 3rd we look forward to receiving participating Cadets for the Basic Leader Course. We will also receive several Officer Candidates who will receive classroom instruction and hands-on training to prepare them for appointment as USAC Officers.
This Monday is the 4th of July and while we will be training we will take time out to celebrate the 235th anniversary of our nation’s founding with a BBQ and some fun activities.
On a closing note I wanted to thank Cadet Private 1st Class Austin Strange of the Headquarters Company. He has been taking many of the excellent pictures that you see on the National Cadet Training Center Facebook. Thank you Cadet Strange. HOOAH!
Please take a moment to visit our Facebook (linked below) and check out some of the many images that have been posted there as well as the latest updates on our summer programs.
Link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Cadet-Training-Center-Official/350329073135#!/
Enjoy your weekend.
AL PABON
Civilian Executive, USAC
Annual Training Battalion
Deputy G1/Public Affairs Officer
Headquarters, U.S. Army Cadet Corps
"ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE!"
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