WIESBADEN, Germany - Wiesbaden Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers members took survival skills to the next level during a special course in Otztal, Austria, Aug. 11-14. The advanced BOSS Life Skills Survival Course was a follow-on to a past course the Wiesbaden Soldier organization conducted.
"BOSS members wanted to do an advanced life skills survival course," said Wiesbaden BOSS coordinator Steve Eclavea, explaining that a past course was extremely well received.
"Last time it was a pilot program, and this time we wanted to do a little more intense training. The course trainers built it to meet our needs," Eclavea said.
"As soon as we got there, they unpacked, put on their survival gear and ruck-marched to the training site -- Area 47," he said, describing some of the feedback he got from the 18 Wiesbaden-area service members who participated.
"It was a 'great experience, great teachers -- loved the in the woods experience,'" BOSS members reported.
While the aim of the training was to provide BOSS members with a way to enhance resiliency, develop character, improve overall health and fitness -- it also sought to help individuals grow to become more effective future leaders, Eclavea said.
"They took away a lot of life learning experiences -- how to survive, shared camaraderie, friendship and team building," he said, adding that participants also had time to enjoy some down-time at the site's water park featuring a beach, water skiing, high dive and other attractions.
"It was a pleasure doing this trip for the Soldiers. We all had fun," said the BOSS coordinator. "We're still getting calls from Soldiers asking about when's the next one -- just one of the many events that BOSS features."
BOSS has a host of activities in store in the coming weeks including a free Italian Night Sept. 15 from 6-9 p.m., free DJ lessons Sept. 29 from 7-9 p.m., swimming Oct. 11, an X-Box Tournament Oct. 12, go-kart racing Oct. 28 and a trip to Berlin Nov. 11-13.
For information on these and other upcoming Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program events, stop by the Warrior Zone in Building 1214 on Clay Kaserne or call DSN 548-9816.
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