As Lt Col Garito mentioned, Field Training (FT) underwent a significant change this year. The autonomy given to the cadets and their flights was a double-edged sword. While they didn’t have Cadet Training Assistants (CTAs) constantly evaluating and critiquing them, it meant there wasn’t an ever-present source of feedback for their decisions. The flight itself, especially the flight commander, shouldered a much larger responsibility, which was the true challenge of FT this year. More than just memorizing drill and academics, the cadets were expected to function as true leaders in every sense of the word.
Cadet Blazek was assigned as Flight Commander for Training Days (TDs) zero and one, which was a difficult process. Decisions needed to be made without a CTA: wake-up times, time allotted for transit, scheduling when and what for physical training, standardization for uniforms, dorm rooms, and much more. Delegating authority to make those decisions in the peer environment was difficult, as everyone was equally qualified, and they faced issues overstepping each other’s authority when it came to their flight positions. Fortunately, his flight learned quickly to respect their roles and prioritize open communication to resolve any conflicts.
Apart from that, some of the Dining Facility (DFAC) food, and getting poured on by rain at 0430 in Reveille formation, FT was largely enjoyable. The cadets trained in Combatives, which taught hand-to-hand grappling and emphasized “concepts, not equations” to solve problems. They completed many Group Leadership Projects (GLP) and Combat Arms Training Maintenance (CATM), where they learned how to fire and maintain the M18pistol, and several training scenarios, such as setting up and maintaining a Forward Operating Base, to prepare them to serve in and lead large-scale missions in the operational Air Force.
Some cadets were even selected for incentive flights in helicopters or jets, or for capstone events where they traveled to an operational Air Force base and experienced day-to-day activities for several days. FT was a great eye-opening experience. One quote resonated with Cadet Blazek throughout – “Fail frequently, learn always”. Especially on TD-1, where they failed a lot, it helped to remember that everyone was in the same boat trying to figure things out. Failing, learning, and adapting – without an omniscient supervisor – was the name of the game this year.
