Taking the plunge, Cadets learn and grow at the National Training Center

By Cpt Jeffrey J. TeboJune 6, 2011

Taking the plunge, Cadets learn and grow at the National Training Center
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT IRWIN, CA – A Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadet from the Inland Empire region conducts a modified combat water survival test as part of the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge on Mar. 27. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Jeff Tebo, Opera... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the plunge, Cadets learn and grow at the National Training Center
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the plunge, Cadets learn and grow at the National Training Center
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT IRWIN, CA " Approximately 250 junior cadets from schools throughout the Inland Empire region visited Fort Irwin and the National Training Center March 25-29 to learn about leadership, team work, and develop confidence.

High school students and JROTC cadets teamed up with combat trainers on the Operations Group’s Tarantula Team, Fort Irwin Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and MEDDAC as part of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Leadership Challenge.

JROTC cadets represented schools in Arroyo Valley, Blair, Canyon Springs, Carter, John Muir, Kaiser, Montclair, Oak Hills, Palo Verde, Pasadena, Perris and Riverside.

On March 27, cadet’s conducted a modified combat water survival test in combat gear while wearing an Army Combat Uniform. Cadets jumped from the diving board, hit the water, and released their weapon and tactical vest before swimming to safety.

All the cadets took the plunge, some with more eagerness than others. The test helped build confidence and answered the question, “How do you swim with all this stuff on?”

“Once you stop over-thinking it and just jump, it’s easy,” a drenched cadet said as he encouraged those waiting their turn on the high dive platform.

Another station saw cadets introduced to airborne operations with a lucky cadet from each company suiting up and undergoing a Jump Master’s Pre-Inspection prior to the entire class simulating a mass exit jump with static lines and jump commands.

According to Jump Master Capt. Joshua Brown, the training was “a great opportunity for cadets to see what challenges await them as junior leaders and the possibilities that exist.”

Physical training, team building exercises and a question and answer period rounded out the training for the JROTC cadets who call the Inland Empire region home.