ROTC members field train in Fort Custer

• Tweet
• 

AUGUSTA — The second squadron of CMU’s Arrowhead Company became a band of brothers this weekend.

The ROTC cadets learned how to survive the battlefield at the Field Training Exercise at Fort Custer in Augusta. Two CMU companies and one Ferris State University company united for three days.

“We met on the bus and we’ve never been together until now,” said Mount Pleasant junior Evan Fredrickson. “We were supposed to have three more people but they didn’t show up.”

Second Squad had only five members, making them the smallest unit. Fredrickson led Second Squad’s roster of Metamora sophomore Byron Nolde, Edmore sophomore Jonathan Bucao, Jackson freshman David Rudolph, and Farmington Hills sophomore Victor Calugar.

Most of them brought along military experience — Bucao’s parents were both in the army and Fredrickson and Nolde are in their third year of ROTC. Rudolph joined the reserves last May and is going to college to become an officer.

Calugar was eager to earn some of his own. He wants to get into the Rangers and eventually the Special Forces.

“Rangers lead the way, so I want to be a ranger,” he said. “If I don’t get killed maybe I’ll make it a career.”

On Saturday, companies endured three rotations of exercises. The drills forced cadets to make and execute a plan and evaluate their ability to lead under stressful conditions.

The cadets moved planks and ropes over pylons raised over either stones or pools. They had to move the entire team and mock ammunition across the field without touching objects marked red ground or water.

Madison Heights senior Casey Allison leads his squad through hand and arm signals Friday night during the Reserved Officer Training Corps Field Training Exercises at Fort Custer in Augusta. FTE was designed for cadets to gain experience in learning, teaching, and executing various military procedures. (Paige Calamari/Staff Photographer)

Second Squad was the only group to complete the three courses within the given timeframe. Mike Grabowski was one of the observers to grade their performance.

“They come up with good plans and execute them well,” the Royal Oak senior said. “I think they’re pretty solid.”

Second squad’s only casualty was Bucao’s belt, which dropped into the water after it slipped off the plank they tied it to. The cadets laughed as they fished it out with a broomstick afterward.

“An awesome teammate requires an awesome sacrifice,” Rudolph said.

Second squad’s second rotation was a convoy simulator, placing them in an arcade-like computer simulation of a battlefield road in the Middle East.

Their final rotation was military operations on urban terrain. Armed with paintball guns, squads practiced entering buildings and holding positions. It ended in a giant free-for-all battle, which second squad left paint-spattered but happy.

“We really need work, but it was a lot of fun,” Rudolph said.

After spending the night in the woods, companies competed against each other in autumn stakes on Sunday.

Squads raced to find nine different obstacle stations on the map. In full packs, they ran to each different physical training grid. By the end of the weekend, they were exhausted.

“I’m so sore I can’t feel my feet,” Calugar said. “But it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

The cadets said they took away a strong lesson in leadership. Nolde described a leader as being the one who stands out in deeds.

“The person has a presence,” Nolde said. “They’re more willing to step out and try.”

The squad attributed their closeness to the difficulties they faced together. They said overcoming FTX weekend made them feel like they were part of something bigger than themselves and bonded them together as a team.

As their ROTC experience continues, they plan on staying close.

“This is the best squad I’ve ever been on,” Fredrickson said.