ROTC cadets undergo tactical training at Combative Field Training Exercise

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The smell of gunpowder filled the frigid air at Fort Custer, Augusta this weekend.

Central Michigan University’s ROTC joined 406 cadets from the University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Ferris State universities to take part in the Combative Field Training Exercise.

The CFTX is a weekend-long series of drills divided into two parts: land navigation and situation tactical exercises.

Grand Rapids sophomore Steve Scoles aims his rifle as his squad prepares to attack an enemy camp on Saturday afternoon at Fort Custer in Augusta. The military science students were participating in combative field training exercises. (Photo by Bethany Walter/Staff Photographer)

Lt. Col. Aaron Kalloch, director of the ROTC program at CMU, said CFTX prepares military science cadets in their third year for the Leader Development and Assessment Course they will attend over the summer. Fourth-year students, who have already taken LDAC, plan the CFTX.

“This event helps us be really successful as a group of schools at LDAC,” Kalloch said. “For us, it’s about 95 percent (that pass).”

The cadets kicked off their training with nighttime land navigation in 19-degree weather. Lone cadets equipped with a compass and a map had four hours to find at least three out of five given points in a two-mile long, two-mile wide wooded perimeter.

Byron Nolde said the chilly nighttime stroll relaxed him.

“I’ll just relax and munch on food while I walk,” the Metamora junior said. “I found four out of five which is pretty good. The LDAC terrain will be easy.”

From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, cadets undertook six different types of missions in Squad Tactical Exercise lanes.

Facing combat scenarios including attacking a bunker, ambushing a patrol and a reconnaissance mission, cadets armed with M16 assault rifles fired blank rounds at fourth-year cadets playing the role of the opposing force. The senior students offered critique after the missions were completed.

“Really we’re not grading the tactics,” said Bronson senior Emily Nolin. “We’re grading on their ability to lead and remain collected.”

Nolde said his favorite course was the variable lane, where cadets’ orders were changed mid-mission.

Fourth-year cadets Rachael Knapp, a graduate student of Montague, Midland senior Joseph Kok and Caledonia senior Ken Potter played the role of surrendering enemies who made trouble for the cadets. Knapp said the exercise teaches cadets to think on their feet.

Nolde and Grand Rapids sophomore Steven Scoles were “killed” by Kok, who crept up behind the cadets and tapped them on the shoulder, considered a safety kill.

Kok was “shot” after he opened fired on the rest of the squad. After a smoke grenade went off, the enemy team came out of their bunker and were apprehended by the remaining squad members.

“From day one, we were not really a squad, but by the end of day three they came together,” King said. “The overall growth of sixth squad was awesome.”