Junior Year Perspective on the Fall FTX

By Guest Author: Cadet Kyle Griffin, ND '13

Two and a half years into my ROTC career, I knew what to expect going into the Fall Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Fort Custer.  There would be land navigation, leadership positions, and not too much sleep.  Knowing this did little to ease my nerves.  Being a junior in ROTC would be a completely different experience compared to my first two years, as alumni know well.  It is difficult to prepare for the stress of leadership, of having accountability for everyone and everything beneath you, and of getting results above all else.

Luckily, I am a firm believer in the idea that these types of situations bring out the best of people who provide the effort.  By tossing cadets into situations that they have been trained to handle, but have not actually experienced in real life before, the FTX prepared us for a multitude of situations.  The ability to take a job head on, feel the responsibility, and come out the other side with a new understanding of what you can handle, is vital to officers in the Army, as well as in the civilian sector.

For example, junior cadets experienced “garrison positions” for the first time this past weekend.  Those in these leadership roles must determine how to accomplish all of the scheduling and tasks surrounding training during the FTX, including time for food, hygiene, and equipment issue.  After getting all the leaders on the same page, the timeline must be communicated and enforced at all levels.  This task does not seem overwhelming on the outset, but putting all of the responsibility on a few key shoulders adds to the pressure.

 Platoon Sergeants and First Sergeants have to maintain accountability of their people at all times, and if you mess up or drop the ball on a task, your mistake is very visible.  On top of this, you know that any mistake you make as a garrison leader will lead to discomfort felt by your troops (your fellow cadets), whether it means they only have five minutes for breakfast or they do not have time to shower.  This pressure can bring the out the best and sometimes the worst in us as leaders, but either outcome helps us development for the future.

The FTX was a valuable chance for ROTC cadets to employ all of the training we have received over the past few months.  The younger cadets were able to learn more technical and tactical skills of being in the field, while the older ones were put into situations to apply leadership skills and solve problems under pressure.  This weekend was a prime example of us all rising to the occasion to develop as leaders.   

Our author, Cadet Kyle Griffin, leads his Squad during Situational Training Exercises.