ROTC cadets train at West Point

By Lindsey Elder, special to the Chronicle

Lt. Col. Bernd Schliemann, commander of the ROTC unit, pitches in to feed the troops. (Lindsey Elder photo)

     The cadets of the Minuteman Battalion usually train off-campus at nearby areas such as Devens or Florence, but the group also is open to new challenges. This year for its fall field training exercise (FTX), the battalion took on the steep and rocky terrain of the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

     Although the cadets had to sacrifice their Halloween weekend for the high-speed training, some traditions and festivities were kept alive - Army style. Those who missed out on face painting instead had the chance to perfect their camouflage skills. The tradition of wandering at night was still part of the plan, but the goal was to get the most points possible on a grueling land navigation course, not piles of candy. And instead of witches and goblins, the cadets were wary of "opposition forces" (OPFOR in Army jargon) lurking in the fog off the Hudson River.

     The main events of the training weekend were land navigation and squad tactical exercises (STX). Junior cadets are assessed on their leadership ability and efforts, in squad maneuvers and control, or simply organizing a formation, fireguard roster or helping a peer with weapons cleaning duties. Upon arrival Friday evening after a three-hour drive from UMass and Western New England College, the Military Science III students were whisked away to the night land navigation course, while first- and second-year students had classes on patrol base activities. Both the day and night land nav courses were extremely rocky and strenuous. Cadets were expected to find five points with their compass, map and flashlight. The exercise is aimed at building confidence in the cadets' own capabilities as well as a trust in their equipment.

     STX training was the main event for almost all of Saturday; a long day of battle drills under the rotating leadership of MSIIIs and IIs. The lanes test movement techniques, operational order preparation and other tactical skills, as well as self-control and a cadet's ability to control the actions of their squad under times of high stress, such as conducting an ambush or reacting to an attack. Cadets from the Air Force ROTC program were invited to attend the event to serve as extra OPFOR, as has become the tradition on the last few FTX's the battalion has organized.

     Evaluations were given throughout the weekend as preparation for the National Advanced Leadership Camp, which MSIII cadets will attend this summer at Fort Lewis, Wash. as part of the commissioning process. The evaluations are necessary to perfect leadership skills and determining what needs to be emphasized in future training.

     The needs of the cadets vary according to their background. Some have prior military service while others are in the National Guard. Some have been in the program for all three years and others are brand new after completing the Leader Training Course. All of the cadets are full-time college students, but some also have full-time jobs as well as families.

     "It was a great change of pace," said cadet Doug Morrison, a sophomore/MSII who completed Airborne school last summer as a member of Army ROTC. "The terrain was definitely a plus. The STX lanes were set up very well; less conventional situations. It was interesting to watch the III's react with so many ways to deal with it."

     The final day of training began with the IIIs given another shot at land navigation, this time in the daylight hours for more points, and the MSIs and IIs taken on a cadre-led tour of the Military Academy.

     Before loading the buses for the ride back to UMass, awards were given to those who performed exceptionally on the training lanes. Those who were successful in land nav and maintained high morale and commitment to helping others during the long nights and cold and rainy conditions, were also recognized.

     On the trip back to Amherst, the bus was filled with sleeping cadets, exhausted by the challenges of their fall training.

     Army ROTC cadet Captain Lindsey Elder is a senior Journalism major.