This last week, the Det 440 wing took a trip to Columbia College in support of our fellow cross-town cadets. Lead lab opened with practicing parade marching, which was performed flawlessly at the Homecoming parade as the crowds cheered as we passed. Following practice, we began training for open rank inspections. This gave the GMC a new challenge where we will be performing ORIs and will be expected to know this information in the upcoming lead labs. To end the day, a formal retreat was performed requested by Columbia College.
As always, the FTP cadets are challenged to step up, lead, and learn from our mistakes, and this week was no different. We trained for open rank inspections, where we will be executing these in just a couple of weeks leading as the key staff. The knowledge we take in from every LLAB is essential to our preparation and success for Field Training. Each week, the challenges we face become increasingly more difficult and the FTP as a whole become a stronger and unified team. We have a true sense of team as we progress through the semester facing these challenges. Each FTP cadet wants the other to succeed and we are at each other’s side to motivate, push, and learn to show the best of our abilities and Excellence in All We Do. Next week, the FTP will be tested as we fill the major job positions in AEF 2, and we will face obstacles only teamwork and good leadership will be able to overcome. For any challenges we face this year, preparation as we gain knowledge to be great leaders, working together as a team, and learning from our mistakes and improving from them is essential to our success.
Daniel J. Steitz, C/3C, AFROTC