WEST POINT, N.Y. (Aug. 10, 2011) -- The finish line was close. Just a short hike to the Zodiacs followed by a row across Stilwell Lake and the challenge would be over for the new cadets.
Then suddenly…an explosion.
“Contact, contact, contact,” one cadet shouted out as the squad scrambled to take up fighting positions along the road. The brief attack incapacitated their squad leader and the new cadets now had to fend for themselves.
After an already exhausting day of marksmanship, land navigation, Soldier First Responder and communications skills testing, this was the moment that should have all but depleted the new cadets during the Neel Challenge. Instead, they regrouped, delegated and continued with the mission. Many squad leaders said they weren’t surprised the new cadets mustered through the difficult scenario. They trained for this, and did exactly what 1st Lt. Phillip Neel would have wanted them to do.
“There were a few seconds that were like, ‘what do we do now,’ but we took charge and figured it out,” said New Cadet Bryan Houp, Company C, 1st Platoon, 1st Squad.
His squad leader, on the ground as a simulated casualty, could tell they had the situation well under control.
“I could still hear and sort of see what was going on,” Class of 2013 Cadet Derek Schwartz, said. “Somebody took charge, they communicated well with each other and kept going.”
Schwartz found the new cadets to be motivated even when battling injuries and fatigue.
“They can surprise you sometimes,” Schwartz said. “Some of these guys are really inspiring me just by how they keep pushing...it’s really impressive.”
The Neel Challenge was the culminating test for the Class of 2015 that covered all the training from six weeks of Cadet Basic Training or “Beast Barracks.” The event is named in honor of the service and sacrifice of the fallen Class of 2005 graduate, whose parents attended on Aug. 4-5 to congratulate squads at the finish and visit the 1st Lt. Neel Memorial.
After crossing the finish line, Houp felt relieved and said he was proud to have completed it with his squad.
“It was a lesson in teamwork throughout the whole process,” Houp said. “You learn through all these challenges to stay together as a team.”
Class of 2013 Cadet Mikus Igaunis, the 1st Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Co. C, was pleased with how his new cadets performed, given the variable nature of the scenarios.
“They did well,” he said. “There were some issues, but something unexpected will always happen and everything isn’t always going to go according to plan.”
The first year at West Point, called plebe year, has the class primarily in “follow” mode. Opportunities to demonstrate leadership, like the ones during the Neel Challenge, prepare new cadets for greater challenges ahead. New Cadet Ben Shields, Company C, 4th Platoon, 1st Squad, said what he will remember most about the Neel Challenge was that chance to think and act for himself.
“We had talked and planned about what we would do if something like this happened,” Shields said. “We had designated litter carriers and we were able to use all the resources on site. There was a disabled vehicle that had a stretcher (a Red Crescent ambulance).”
As far as the overall CBT training, Igaunis said his squad was attentive and receptive to learning new skills, no matter how physically and mentally demanding it got day after day. It was a new experience--having to transform a group of civilians into West Point cadets, so Igaunis was able to learn as he taught.
“Our squad leader’s the best,” Shields said. “He cares about his squad and is very confident.”
Of all the training events, Shields said the 10-mile ruck march was one of the toughest days at Beast. He opted, like his squad leader, to challenge himself further by adding an additional 30 pounds to his ruck. He said he did it simply to make himself a better cadet and a better Soldier.
That may have also made the 12-mile march back to West Point on Monday easier for him, as more than 1,300 new cadets, cadet cadre and graduates made the traditional trek from Camp Buckner to West Point officially ending summer training for the Class of 2015. After a summer of academy orientation and military training, the new cadets will be accepted into the Corps of Cadets during the Acceptance Day Parade on Saturday. Having exchanged bullets for binders and rucksacks with backpacks, they’ll begin the academic year next week.
“I feel like a completely transformed person now,” Houp, who is looking forward to studying history and competing in Corps Squad Track, said. “I’m still the same person, but I’ve gotten a lot more tools to work with now. At the beginning, it all happened fast and was a little bit overwhelming. Once we got into the military training I became more comfortable. Now I’m looking forward to getting into the academic routine.”
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