Army engineers teach Air Force JROTC cadets airborne basics

  • Published
  • By Army Staff Sgt. Jason E. Epperson
  • 3rd MEB Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Nearly 30 U.S. Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets arrived at the Airborne Sustainment Area, July 29 to conduct Airborne Sustainment Training and learn more about the military environment.

The junior cadets, from South Anchorage High School and cadets from University of Alaska-Anchorage gathered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to train on the same 34 foot jump tower service members use in support of airborne sustainment and Basic Airborne Refresher operations.

Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Keith J. Coulter, an Aerospace Science instructor at South Anchorage High School and the Air Force JROTC instructor said all of the cadets receive physical education credit for attending the week long summer course.

Students spent the first three days at the Boy Scouts of America, Camp Gorsuch on Mirror Lake "in the field" in a tailored basic training style environment.

The last three days were spent on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the Mandragon barracks.

Their six-day schedule was filled with classes, scheduled visits and events, drill training, flag ceremonies, and physical exercise.

Flight leadership was tasked to develop security plans, personnel accountability
operations, squadron-wide duty officers, and ensure time-sensitive tasks were executed safely.

Encampment activities were monitored and managed by retired Air Force Lt. Col. Bevan Orme, Coulter, and several UAA ROTC cadets.

"We're here on a path of courage for some of our students, to help them discover who they are and what kind of mettle they (have)," Coulter said.

"They will be participating in the jump tower and this is the first time for these kids."
ROTC cadets from UAA worked as training instructors for the younger generation, and gained valuable experience they will put to use soon, Coulter said.

"They're going to be officers next year, so to deal with these young kids, they are able to get some real tangible experience," Coulter said.

High school cadets practiced military skills and at the same time progressed in their secondary education, Coulter said.

"The cadets actually get a PT credit in high school to be a part of this," Coulter said. "They have to be in my ROTC program (to receive credit), so I have freshmen through seniors in this program. The development is really impressive to see. These kids come in and become part of the team."

Cadets conquered several challenges during the week, but the biggest in physical size was the jump tower, because it required students to overcome fears of heights and potential equipment malfunction.

The cadets were trained on to properly fit into a harness and exit the jump tower properly by active-duty Soldiers.

Sgt. 1st Class Sean Foley, Forward Support Company, 6th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne), was the NCOIC of the jump tower exercise.

Foley, a jumpmaster with years of airborne training, inspected cadets thoroughly before they climbed the 34-foot-tower.

The training was beneficial to the young cadets, Foley said.

"The training teaches them to overcome their fears," Foley said. "It teaches them that they can overcome something that's not normal and natural for someone to jump out of something. I think it's a really good idea having these young (troops) come out here and do this kind of training. It builds some esprit de corps amongst them and some fun. It gets them to interact with some other (troops) that actually do this for a living and I think it's some good training for them. "

Most of the cadets found the training fun and challenging.

"The training was extremely fun," said Cadet Staff Sgt. Katlyn White, a sophomore at South Anchorage High School. "Some of the benefits of the training teach you discipline and learning how to get over your fears, especially if you're afraid of heights. You just need to be able to jump out and not even think about it."