ROTC Cadets, faculty headed to Camp Grayling

Around 90 CMU Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets will take part in
military related leadership and training drills in Grayling this
weekend.

Army-bound senior cadets in the Military Science program will
facilitate their annual field training exercises, held this year at the
Army and Air National Guard base Camp Grayling.

“Basically it helps cadets get leadership experience,” said Chelsea
LeRoy, ROTC public relations coordinator. “They have to make
on-the-spot decisions that forces students to be better leaders.”

LeRoy, a senior cadet from Augusta, said the weekend also prepares
junior cadets for the Leadership Development Assessment Course — a 30
day program in Fort Lewis, Wash., which cadets must complete to be
commissioned as officers upon graduation.

Cadets — those contracted with the army to be a future officer — are
required to attend the weekend field training exercises, yet they will
also be joined by many other students who have a military science minor
or are looking into the program.

Dan Maloney, assistant professor of military science, said while the
field training exercises are cadet planned and led, faculty members in
the military science department will be present to ensure the tasks are
run safe and effectively, such as Sunday’s target practice with M16s.

Along with the marksmen training, cadets and students also will
train on rubber boats, run through a simulated grenade course and
construct a one rope bridge, among other things.

Maloney said students will experience more than just training during
the weekend.

“I think for most of the folks that go out there, there are other
benefits,” he said. “It builds camaraderie with others.”