FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- Conquering fear and building confidence was the order of the day as Army Reserve Soldiers from the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) took to the rappelling towers and confidence course here on May 16 to hone-in on their monthly warrior training.
"Once the first bound is out of the way... it was easy," says Sgt. First Class Kim M. Jacobs, a military intelligence specialist with the command.
Jacobs, who in her civilian capacity is also the Deputy G2 for the command, praised the hands-on training and said the Soldiers running the rappel tower and conducting the training did an outstanding job.
"The trainers really had lots of patience and worked with those that had a fear of heights," said Jacobs.
This monthly "Warrior Training" helps train and sustain TPU and AGR Soldiers in a variety of warrior skills while simultaneously trying to instill confidence, camaraderie and esprit the corps within the Company. Taking advantage of the abundant training opportunities here at Fort Bragg, the Reserve unit monthly seeks different types of training to expose their Soldiers to a variety of training situations.
Monthly training focuses on the standard warrior tasks such as first aid and medical evacuations, land navigation, and weapons qualifications, but it also includes intricate airborne operations such as night combat jumps, and operations out of UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. This specific monthly training event's goal was to perform sustain training for all Air Assault Qualified personnel, as well as familiarization to other non-air assault qualified Soldiers.
Soldiers trained for a full day on the various types of rappelling techniques and learned the required safety requirements needed for conducting safe tower operations. They also got the opportunity to perform under pressure by running through a timed obstacle course.
Jacobs, who has only rappelled once before, believes that the training is integral to building that well-rounded Soldier, and is key to building teamwork and sense of purpose within a unit.
"Training such as rappelling or the obstacle course is important. It really does build spirit de corps, strength and confidence knowing you can overcome your fears, or at least work through them," said the 18-year Army Reserve veteran.
She added, "I had a great time and I'm not a big fan of heights."
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