Getting Down and Dirty at The Obstacle Course

Obstacle courses in the military, depending on the location and type of obstacles presented, can be mentally challenging, physically taxing, an a whole lot of fun.  For people who do it for the first time, it is a way to discover that they can overcome mental and physical barriers that they never thought they could overcome.  I told two of the platoons today prior to leaving Forest Hill Station that they were about to learn what true teamwork meant.  "On Sunday, you arrived as individuals.  Today you will be a team, because what you are about to do cannot be done alone.  You will depend on the people to the right and to the left to give you a hand up.  And as you receive, you will give, as you offer your hand to help your buddies," I said.  And that's exactly what they did.  I saw Recruits that fought their doubts and accepted that hand up, overcoming, and succeeding. Individuals became teams, and bonds were created. It was for me a justification of why I chose to come to work for this organization.  It was an honor to be a part of seeing these defining moments for them.

So, it's pictures you want, so here are some selects from today's events.  Enjoy!

Questions, comments or suggestions? Write to me at brian.d.lehnhardt@armycadets.org

STAFF PROFILE: Sgt. John Cleary, Videographer

Part of the reason this program succeeds is because of its volunteers and staff that come to Millersburg every summer.  Sgt. John Cleary of Summerville, SC is one of those people.  I'm partial to him because he's helping me with my mission - production of a video that helps promote USAC.

Sgt. Cleary joined the Army at age 18, and served for seven years as a Power Generation Equipment Repairer, and leaving the Army as a Sergeant (E-5).  Currently he is employed in a technical sales role for a global manufacturer of power generation equipment, and travels throughout the southeastern United States.  Has a daughter who has been a USAC Cadet for two years and is currently serving as a Basic Cadet Training (BCT) Troop Handler, helping to mold Recruits into Cadets. 

This year he is providing his services to us as a videographer/photographer during our first iteration of BCT, documenting each event for the purpose of crafting a professionally edited promotional video that serves the purpose of explaining what one can expect from their Basic Cadet Training experience.  And from time-to-time as ability permits, he is also turning his still camera to shoot events I may not be able to cover.  

The following are some of the pictures he's taken so far.  The video product he's filming will take some months to post-produce, so we'll announce when the completion of that project is drawing near.  In the meantime, enjoy the photos!

Beating the Kentucky Heat

It's hot here.

No, it's a sauna here. 

When it reaches a certain temperature and humidity in the summer months, the real Army uses a colored flag system to tell troops how hot it is, how much water they need to drink, and how much work they can safely accomplish while outside in the elements.  The flags range from green, to yellow, to red, and finally to black.  We at the U.S. Army Cadet Corps utilize the same system.

Everyday before 11am, the black flag has been hoisted for the last two weeks.

"It feels over 100 degrees," said Cadet Recruit Lauren Bishop of Santa Barbara, CA.

Cadet Recruit Jake Edwards of Pembroke, NH doesn't seem to mind too much.  "It's not too bad.  I don't like it but I can stand it to a point."

"I love it!" exclaimed Cadet Recruit Mustaffa Ali from Damman, Saudi Arabia.  "This is heaven."  And he should know; Saudi Arabia and it's neighbors wrote the book on hot.

Needless to say, training continues, and our Recruits are downing the water in quarts.  After all, as the Recruits say when told to drink: "Hydrate or die!"