15 June 09
ALERT ACADEMY, Texas – One major goal of encampment is teambuilding. The flights begin as groups of individuals who feel they have nothing in common, and end as tightly knit groups that might stay in contact with each other for years. Since the cadets are thrust into a group with fifteen strangers, sometimes they need a little push to begin working as a team. The ALERT Academy ropes course often provides that push.

Today, the 60th squadron, comprised of Golf, Hotel, and India flights, marched over to the ropes course. The heat didn’t stop them from hurrying to the course, which for many cadets is one of the highlights of encampment. Once there, they were immediately tasked with their first challenge. The cadets were blindfolded and their flight Staff, able to see, had to lead them down a path without speaking. All three flights used the same basic strategy, holding onto each others’ shoulders with the flight staff member in front. Everyone arrived quickly, and by the enthusiastic flight cheers that followed it was obvious that they were already beginning to bond.

After finishing their first group leadership project (GLP), the cadets learned safety procedures – how to stay safe on the course and how to be spotters. After the Staff reminded them to keep hydrated, the flights split up and went to different activities. The flight and squadron cadet staff also separated, going to their own activities, designed to build camaraderie between cadet flight sergeant and flight commander, or cadet squadron commander and first sergeant.

The Cadet Basics participated in fairly simple but still challenging activities. They swung across a course of tire swings, climbed up and down two logs, and tried to switch places in a single-file line standing on a log. Each navigated various ropes and cables, all with the help of their flight members. To complete the various activities, they spent about three hours working as a team. Afterwards, the flights were obviously much more tightly-knit than before. They congratulated their new friends, then formed into their own flights and marched to lunch, loudly keeping cadence all the way. Hotel flight sergeant C/MSgt Danielle Lamphear related to the new-found enthusiasm and teamwork in her flight, saying, "At my Basic encampment, the ropes course is where I started learning everyone’s names in my flight. It was where we began to come together as a team.”

The cadet Staff, though, was also tasked, but theirs were more complicated and very challenging tasks. Their first assignment was to walk around a circle of cables, two at a time, while their only support was a rope held on either end by one of the two staff members on the course. After conquering this, they moved on to even more complicated tasks, some two-by-two, and some including the whole squadron staff. Their final challenge was the most complicated of all, and required everyone to work as a closely-knit team. The entire Staff present had to navigate a complex course of cables, at times relying only on the cadets around them to support them, until they had succeeded. When asked how the ropes course helped the staff, C/CMSgt Lincoln Andre, India Flight Sergeant, replied, “It helped us realize how easy it is for us to work together when we’re on the same page and communicating well... It was also a great motivator.”

Besides building teamwork, the ropes course is just plain fun. C/Amn Ian Kuplack commented, “It’s really fun. I’m sure everyone else would have the same answer.” By the time they were done, the cadets walked around bearing huge grins, each one thrilled to be there. The combination of fun and teambuilding makes the ropes course an unparalleled opportunity for Basics and Staff alike.

Each flight walked onto the ropes course as sixteen distinct individuals, but left it as a team.

Cadets train to depend on each other while blind folded.


 

A cadet crosses the balance log as teammates stand by to assist.








 Cadets practice the ropes course where teamwork is essential for success.




 Cadets success is celebrated as they touch hands in team spirit unity.






Story and photos submitted by C/2d Lt Emily Crouse