BLACK RAPIDS TRAINING SITE, Alaska (Army News Service) -- When students first start training in minus 40 or 50F temperatures at the Cold Weather Leaders Course, some of them "turtle," said Sgt. Derrick Bruner.
"Turtling is a term we use here when students outside in the cold tuck in their shoulders and quit responding," said Bruner, an instructor at the Northern Warfare Training Center. "Their ears shut down and they're not listening."
87312
Soldiers who can't take care of themselves in such extreme conditions can't be effective leaders of other Soldiers, Bruner said. Training at the NWCT tests Soldiers' mettle by putting them in extreme conditions and showing them how to operate, so they can lead their own teams.
Like many of the students who come to NWTC, "I hated the cold before coming here to Alaska and didn't volunteer to come here," Bruner said. "You just have to get over it; and most students do."
Once they get over it and start to succeed at doing tasks like setting up their tents, cross-country skiing and leading a squad, their confidence as Soldiers and leaders shoots way up, he said.
EVERYONE LEADS
Everyone at the 15-day CWLC gets a chance to lead, said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Tanner, an instructor.
About 80 students are divided into eight squads. Students, who range from specialists to lieutenants, take turns leading the squad, he said.
A lieutenant may find that he's being led by a specialist one day, Tanner said. It gives the lieutenant an insight into what it's like to be a good follower and the specialist gets some insights into what it takes to lead a squad and the challenges that go with that. "It's a real eye opener for them."
1st Lt. Lucas Behler, an infantryman and a student, said that in his squad, no matter what rank or military occupational specialty someone had, everyone "kept quiet and let the designated leader make decisions, assign tasks and be in charge."
By being good leaders and good followers, "things went like clockwork," Behler said. Tents got set up quickly because everyone knew his or her task and the squad effectively operated as a cohesive team.
Operating in minus 40F can be challenging, he added, "but once you accept the fact that you'll be cold, you try to learn as much as you can."
Staff Sgt. Matthew Doane, an instructor, said six days in the cold with long night and day movements over the snow tests Soldiers' personal courage.
"You have to be mentally stable and physically fit to operate in remote areas like this or you will fail," he said.
"People give up mentally," he added. "It doesn't matter how strong they are or what rank they are; they can break down; it's not for everyone."
Sgt. Jessica Bartolotta, a student and culinary specialist, said two people in her squad quit about halfway through the course. They just couldn't take it.
Bartolotta attributed their failure to lack of motivation. Had they been more motivated, they would have made it through, she said.
It's not for lack of good instructors that some don't make it, though, she said.
"The instructors are very knowledgeable and confident and they want you to learn and to succeed," Bartolotta said. "They answer all your questions. They don't try to stress you out and they're all very personable."
Students take cues from the instructors' good leadership and in turn, the students help each other out to get through the course, she said.
Doane admitted that getting up every day and going out in the cold is a struggle for instructors as well as students. "Being cold still gets to you."
What motivates Doane to brave the cold every day is "students who are eager to learn," he said.
"Many from special units or higher ranks come here with a chip on their shoulder, thinking it's a cake walk," he said, though they will soon find out otherwise.
Those who are eager to learn are the ones who are most successful, he said.
"Some of these students are absolutely miserable," said Sgt. Sarah Valentine, a medic and instructor. "We teach people to bypass their own personal misery and lead others to success. This course does a good job of pushing students to their limits."
Sgt. Duron Berry, a student, said "you can get cold, angry and tired out here, but if you let the anger get to you that makes you less effective as a leader or a team member.
"The stress you experience here tests your leadership," he said. "If you succeed, once you get back to your unit, you will be a better leader for doing this. If you don't have the heart for this, you will fail."
INSTRUCTORS LEAD, LEARN
Staff Sgt. Jack Stacy, an instructor, said that it takes a full year for instructors to get qualified to lead at NWCT. They first go through the same courses the students go through, followed by more advanced courses at both NWCT and in other countries.
While gaining knowledge through courses and enduring hardships is important, Stacy said another important attribute to have as an instructor is a willingness to learn from others, even students.
"If you have an expert halo, you'll quit learning and not amount to much as a leader," he said.
Stacy said he and other instructors are constantly questioning their methods and techniques in order to be more efficient and successful at what they do.
"The world is changing and the Army is continually changing," he said. "You have to continually change and adapt. If you're arrogant and self-centered, you'll never learn something new. There's always something I can learn from you or from another student."
A second attribute for success at NWCT, he said, is overcoming personal discomfort.
"Don't let our looks fool you," he said. "Every instructor is cold and miserable -- but you can't broadcast that to the students."
A third attribute of a good leader is to have a passion for the job, Stacy said. About 270 days a year are spent at the school, hours away from family and community. To spend that much time away from home requires a passion for the work.
Stacy said some instructors are so passionate about what they do, that they go beyond the required coursework and pick up skills on their own, such as learning how to catch their own food using natural traps, tracking game, and other field crafts. Many extend past their three-year tour.
While there isn't enough time in the curriculum to teach those additional skills to the students, having that level of competence, Stacy said, gives instructors increased confidence in their own abilities and enables them to better answer questions students might ask.
(Follow David Vergun on Twitter: @vergunARNEWS)
Social Sharing