By: Savoury Jacobson
FORT KNOX, KY. –On June 15, 2017, the Third Regiment of Basic Camp Cadets took to the Team Development Course (DTC) in Fort Knox, Ky.
Cadets help their teammates over a wall during Team Development Course training at Fort Knox, Ky on June 15, 2017. (Photo by Savoury Jacobson.)
Six obstacles lined the course, each with a timed limit of forty-five minutes to complete. Cadets were expected to work together and listen to each other in order to succeed. A delicate balance between team members of leading and listening was practiced throughout the day.
Second Lieutenant Tyler Atteberry described it as, “Someone takes charge and then they start the whole bonding process where…they start spitballing off of each other. They’re trying to build unit cohesion that way.”
During the day, Cadets have to move through the ropes courses and raised wooden beams and must rely on each others mental and physical strengths to get through. During the field leadership reaction course everybody is expected to pull their weight.
Cadets work together to succeed at DTC training at Fort Knox, Ky, on June 15, 2017. (Photo by Savoury Jacobson.)
Cadet Talisa Calhoun, commented saying, “We’re here together for about a month and I think this day is important because without comradely then we’re not going to work together. And when we don’t work together then we have to do pushups.”
A Cadet waits for instructions while his teammates attempt to get through a course at Fort, Ky June 15, 2017. (Photo by Savoury Jacobson.)
Being required to work together is one of the most effective ways that Cadets can discover their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as the character of their peers. Training venues like the TDC ensure that all units get to know one another enough to rely on each teammate effectively.
Cadet Summer Training will bring around 8,200 Cadets through Basic and Advanced Camp this summer on Fort Knox. These camps are designed to help challenge, grow and improve various skills and leadership qualities within the Cadets. If you think you have what it takes to be a Cadet or if you are interested in a job after college click the following link: https://my.goarmy.com/info/rotc1/index.jsp?iom=IP08-AUTO-R1NA-BR-XXX-XX-XXX-MO-XX-X-BRCMAC:IP08
