FORT KNOX, Kentucky., Cadets from 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, went to the Field Leader Reaction Course to evaluate their leadership skills on Fort Knox, June 21, 2024.
The FLRC course helps challenge the Cadet’s leadership and teamworking skills. Cadets are split into teams and are tasked to go through different obstacles, with additional restrictions such as time and non-verbal communication. It is important for cadets to adapt these scenarios, as they may lead future soldiers in situations that they may face, with no time to spare.
Cadet Hosea King, from Columbus University, recalls how FLRC is important for building future leaders.
“The funniest part is being able to work within your squads and to accomplish different obstacles by using teamwork and help develop each other as leaders.” Said King.
King was prior enlisted serving in the army for 14 years, today he is alongside ROTC cadets through the FLRC training. He wants to either become a medical officer or work for human resources.
“ I originally joined the army back in 2009. I didn’t finish college, so I enlisted in the army. It was a good opportunity for me, and I became a military police officer,” said King, “14 years later, I decided that I wanted to be a leader on a whole another level and leave the enlisted side to go to the opposite side. I was provided with a great opportunity to obtain my master’s degree.”
King would comment on why he wanted to join ROTC after 14 years of enlistment.
“The reason I really switched over was I feel like I have a lot to bring to the younger cadets … I was a senior noncommissioned officer as I switched over right now. So, all the things that I have learned on the enlisted side, I want to apply those things on the officer side and just take care of the enlisted folks.”
Cadet Isiah Gutierrez, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, recognizes how FLRC is significant for teamwork skills.
“It is really important because it helps our squad come together as a team and share their ideas and figure out something that is really difficult. Just by working together and then seeing how other people work” said Gutierrez.
Gutierrez was prior enlisted for 6 years as an Engineer in the Reserves. Gutierrez deployed to Africa and is now a SMP with the Minnesota National Guard. Gutierrez wants to obtain a forestry degree; his plan is to work for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or Forest Service. He wanted to join ROTC because he wanted to have influence as a future leading officer.
“I wanted to become an officer because there’s like some changes that are some stuff I’ve seen in the army that I wanted to become an officer and change how it was ran.”
This training only enhances their leadership skills, as soon they will go through FTX, where leadership is crucial.
King recognizes how Cadets are handling their training progress and offers advice to new cadets.
“What I’ve seen is what a lot of cadets is … they’ll experience some type of failure, and they just get down on themselves,” King said “But failure is going happen, and it may not necessarily be a failure, it may just be a learning step. At CST take what you learn from it, and don’t beat yourself down. You are going to use everything that you learned here once you actually commissioned. “Just take everything as a lesson here. Have fun. That’s what it’s all about,” said King.
About the Author: Elizabeth Peterson
