Fort Jackson Soldiers and leaders at the conclusion of the team's visit to
Fort Jackson June 21. Jeff Dillman, the team's director of strength and
conditioning called the even a 'gre... VIEW ORIGINAL
A year ago the University of South Carolina football team exited the buses and stepped into an ocean of drill sergeants circling in for the kill, but the team's visit June 21 it was as different as a punt is to a toss sweep -- they were met with handshakes and positive reinforcement.
"Last year, we had to develop a certain level of toughness," said Jeff Dillman, the director of strength and conditioning for the team, "because that was what they needed we when first came here, and it was our first year here on staff. We had to get the guys working and how to train and not just survive.
"Now they understand how to train they can come together as one unit."
The Gamecocks football team went through the confidence course and the leader development course during their recent visit. The leadership of 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment played an important part in constructing the event to challenge the student-athletes. Drill sergeants from across the 193rd Infantry Brigade helped mentor the players.
Not only did student athletes learn teamwork, but the Army Values were constantly drilled into them by drill sergeants like Sgt. 1st Class Edward Harmes with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 120th Adjutant General Battalion.
Harmes spoke to the athletes before the day started about the importance of Army Values and then reinforced the message after each event.
"They really enjoyed the fact they can come out here to use some Army equipment to build esprit de corps, to help facilitate a team mentality and they got to learn some Army values from their perspective," Harmes said. "I really think that will help them in the future to understand when coach is trying to get something across to them; they can go back to those seven Army Values … to help them in the future to know what the answer should be."
According to Dillman the event is "a great tool to build on the camaraderie of the team, but also on the leadership ability and the commitment to get guys to put egos to the side and focus on one goal."
Looking back the first visit was a success.
"The amount of talent we had on the team and how many games we won you saw some times were guys really strained through some things," Dillman said. "You want to see that more consistently all the time.
"It was great. It was another piece of the puzzle that we put together … that really reinforces what we are trying to get across."
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