FORT SILL, Okla. (Aug. 25, 2014) -- Throughout the summer, the 214th Fires Brigade has hosted more than 40 cadets from the U.S. Military Academy and various ROTC programs as a part of the Army Cadet Troop Leadership Training program (CTLT).
The program places cadets with combat units and pairs them with lieutenants to provide mentorship and leadership experience preparing them for their first assignment following their senior year. Cadets assigned to the 214th Fires Brigade spent their three-week tours learning the ins and outs of their future positions as platoon leaders. They also got an inside look at an officer's job in several different branches.
CTLT is a requirement for academy cadets, but optional for ROTC cadets. Nonetheless, it provides valuable experience in leading Soldiers and gives them an opportunity for hands-on, up-close and personal experiences with Army equipment.
"Working with the 214th Fires Brigade showed me how to use and train on equipment I otherwise probably wouldn't," said Cadet Gregory King from Drexel University ROTC. "I was given the opportunity to use and shoot a Stinger anti-aircraft missile simulator at the air defense orientation."
While the cadets have yet to receive their commissions or branch assignments, each got experience in nonbranch dependent skills and of course an insider look at field artillery.
"I'd really like to branch medical services and have [worked] with a medical services officer," said Cadet Alexis Tafoya from Creighton University ROTC. "This experience has really familiarized us with field artillery, and I would imagine made a few people re-evaluate their branch preferences."
West Point and ROTC programs teach cadets the fundamentals of leadership, but hands-on experience provided by CTLT gives them a true taste of life in the Army and the stresses associated with being a newly commissioned officer. These experiences ranged from the everyday activities of drill and ceremony, physical training and preventive maintenance to competing for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.
The sponsoring lieutenants mentored cadets on interactions with noncommissioned officers, the importance of a good working relationship between platoon leader and platoon sergeant, and what to expect from their first day in their first unit. Brigade leadership also stressed the importance of career planning and direction even before the cadets graduate and earn their commissions.
"This has been a great experience that will have a positive affect on my career and allow me to help out others when I return to school," said King. "I've been amazed at how friendly and helpful everyone has been. Everybody I've talked to, whether they are officers, warrant officers or enlisted Soldiers, has given me positive advice to take back to my final year of school and my career beyond that."
At the end of their rotations, cadets take home more than just their experiences and lessons learned, but also an evaluation report to show schools and instructors what they learned and accomplished. This tool helps teacher fine tune instruction and improve abilities leading into the cadets' final year of training.
Social Sharing