FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. -The saying goes, “Seek and you will find.” Students from the Coffee County Youth Leadership Program (CCYLP) came seeking leadership examples, lessons, and career opportunities as they visited Fort Novosel on Jan. 10, 2024. According to the Chairman of the CCYLP, Gavin Mauldin, that’s exactly what they found. The CCYLP includes students from six different high schools across Coffee County, including Kinston, Enterprise, Elba, Zion Chapel, New Brockton, and Enterprise Christian Academy, who applied and interviewed to be in the program during their junior year.
Their first stop in the morning during the community engagement tour was at the Engagement Skills Trainer inside the Training Support Center. The students familiarized themselves with various weapons, learned how to zero them, and were able to send virtual rounds down range on the trainers during different scenarios.
Students visited Knox Heliport where they got up close and personal with the CH-47 Chinook. Staff Sgt. Colten Lockard from 1-223rd Aviation Regiment connected with each of the youth leaders and discussed the history of the CH-47, its place in Army Aviation, the various leadership roles of each crew member, and the various career opportunities at Fort Novosel.
Students learned that having the proper training and utilizing the correct equipment to accomplish the mission is also an important part of leadership. For each member of the team to function properly they need to be highly trained and properly equipped to succeed.
Rodolfo Gutierrez from Enterprise High School said, “Being inside the helicopter and putting on the equipment that these aviators wear was amazing. It gave me a real sense of what it’s like to be an Army Aviator here at Fort Novosel.”
“I learned a lot about leadership today, specifically when it comes to what it takes to pilot an aircraft and lead crew members to accomplish their mission. Good communication skills are important in the air and on the ground. It really is a team effort from everyone involved,” said Elba High School student Alyssa McFarland.
The final stop on the tour was at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum which maintains a collection of over 160 military aircraft, including one of the largest collections of military helicopters in the world. The students learned more about the history of Aviation through the many exhibits, and memorabilia and how it related to what they experienced throughout the day. Lt. Col. Macky Price, Battalion Commander of the 1-212 Aviation Regiment spoke with the students, explaining what leadership is and the various ways they can implement it into their lives.
“If we can’t define what leadership is, then how can we be an effective leader?” said Price. “Leadership and how you interact with people goes hand in hand so helping these students understand how the two coincide together is important for their growth into future leaders in their communities.”
If you are interested in a tour of Fort Novosel for your school, JROTC, or community leadership group please call Public Affairs at 334-255-2551.
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