Brigham Young University Hawaii students Micah Stevenson and Christopher Bresee have completed some of the military's toughest training available through the Army ROTC program earlier this year. Stevenson, a sophomore majoring in International Cultural Studies, trained and studied hard at the Army's Air Assault course at Fort Campbell, Kentucky before the 2008 winter semester began while Bresee attended the Leader's Training Course (LTC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky this past summer.
While most students enjoyed their Christmas Holiday break, Stevenson [pictured below] was the only ROTC candidate representing the schools from Hawaii competing with Soldiers from across the nation and cadets from over 270 universities in this physically and mentally demanding course. Stevenson successfully completed and graduated from Air Assault School in the first week of winter semester. The air assault course is a two-week course of instruction consisting of three phases: Air Assault phase, Sling load phase, and Rappel phase.
Students must go through and successfully pass the first day or "Zero Day" of intense physical challenges, engaging 9 different obstacles making up the entrance examination to three phases. Within each phase, students learn to be proficient in air assault operations, pathfinder operations, hand and arm signals, aircraft familiarization, aircraft safety, and aeromedevac operations. They learn how to prepare loads for a 5,000 lb or 10,000 lb Humvee slinging from an Army aircraft. Lastly, they learn to rappel from Army helicopters hovering at 100 feet above the ground.
Stevenson experienced fast-paced exercises in mental alertness and physical endurance that required a great deal of studying to pass both written and physical tests. To graduate, students must receive a PASS at the end of each phase. Additionally, students must complete a 12-mile foot-march carrying an M16 weapon and a 45-lb rucksack within three hours. Air Assault qualified students earn an to wear on their Army uniforms [pictured at left].
Stevenson stated, "My experience at Air Assault School was very challenging and rewarding. It was very physically challenging. Everyday consisted of hundreds of pushups, flutterkicks, pullups, and other exercises until our muscles failed us.The most fun part was the fast-roping and rappelling from the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. Graduation from the air assault school was the greatest feeling I've had in a while."
His BYUH instructor, Captain Sauia, said "Cadet Stevenson is an outstanding student both in classroom and in all physical training events of the ROTC program. Stevenson is someone who enjoys taking on challenges that stimulate his mental, physical, and emotional attributes to learn new skills. He possesses unlimited potential to achieve those leadership skills and traits necessary to become a future leader in the United States Army".
Sophomore, husband, and father Christopher Bresee, majoring in Pre-Education, attended the Leader's Training Course (LTC), a 4-week program that focused heavily on hands-on, outdoor training to inspire students to become an outstanding leader. This course is not only leadership oriented, challenging and fun, but beneficial to students' preparation for other careers in the corporate world as well. Students gain leadership experience and a sound understanding of traditional leadership values that most of their peers may not have. Graduates of this training return to their college campuses mentally and physically in shape.
The course Bresee completed is broken down into four difference phases: The Soldier First phase, Warrior Leader phase, Bold Leader phase, and the Future Leader phase. The first phase challenges students in team development where they work together to overcome obstacles in tactical situations. The second phase tests each student in combat water survival training, rappelling, land navigation, and marksmanship training while developing teamwork skills. The third phase assesses students on how they perform on a situational mission in a leadership position. Towards the end of the course, each student receives comprehensive guidance from their instructors on their performance evaluation and accomplishments during the fourth and final phase.
Bresee at the Leadership Training Course
Bresee graduated in the top 10 percent of his class scoring over 290 points out of 300 maximum points on the Army Physical Fitness Test, and 90 out of 100 on the written Land Navigation test. He received high ratings in his decision-making, inter-personal, and motivating skills while serving in different leadership roles. His evaluator, 2LT Brinks, observed that Cadet Bresee had the ability to make quick decisions under stressful situations and led his group as a leader who truly cared for their well-being. Bresee was also commended for his solid leadership potential to take on challenges of higher level of responsibility in the Advanced Course of the program.
Bresee commented that, "At the Leadership Training Course we were taught squad tactics and Army leadership skills. What I experienced was useful application of that knowledge in combat situations simulated with paintball, zodiac water training, ropes courses, and weapons training. I enjoyed the training and would recommend it to anyone considering becoming an Army officer." Being a successful graduate of the Leadership Training Course, Bresee has qualified for a two-year scholarship from the ROTC program.