Leading the way
Central Washington University Cadet David Barndt, from Ellensburg, Wash., leads his fellow Cadets from 13th Regiment onto the parade field during graduation at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Jesse Beals
14th Regiment completes LDAC
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. — 14th Regiment has deactivated after finishing the 29-day Leader Development and Assessment Course. Several awards were presented to Cadets:
The AUSA Leadership Excellence Award, Bank of America Coin, and the COMTeK Leadership Award goes to the No. 1 Cadet in each regiment:
Jennifer Cigler, 14/A/2, Pacific Lutheran University
The Sinclair L. Melner Award and the USAA Leadership Award go to the No. 2 Cadet in each regiment:
Zachary Betts, 14/B/3, University of Nevada – Reno
The COMtek Warrior Ethos Award goes to the Cadet who displayed innovation, resiliency, courage, integrity, and honor:
Hector Hernandez-Aviles, 14/A/4, Campbell University
The Warrior Forge Commander’s Leadership Award goes to the Top Cadet in each company:
William Cordes, 14/A/5, Kansas State University
Justin Rider, 14/B/5, Cornell University
The Platoon Leadership Award goes to the Top Cadet in each platoon:
Joseph McGrew, 14/A/1, Ohio University
Caitlin Lynca, 14/A/2, University of Montana
Alexander Hedine, 14/A/3, Gonzaga University
Robert Ferrainolo, 14/A/4, University of Maryland, College Park
Garrett Stanbrough, 14/A/5, College of the Ozarks
Daniel Pauly, 14/B/1, California State University – Sacramento
Steven Williams, 14/B/2, Georgia Southern University
Michelle Cody, 14/B/3, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Starlet Baker, 14/B/4, Western Illinois University
Stephen Voline, 14/B/5, University of West Florida
13th Regiment completes LDAC
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. — 13th Regiment has deactivated after finishing the 29-day Leader Development and Assessment Course. Several awards were presented to Cadets:
The AUSA Leadership Excellence Award, Bank of America Coin, and the COMTeK Leadership Award goes to the No. 1 Cadet in each regiment:
Matthew Upshaw, 13/A/3, North Georgia College & State University
The Sinclair L. Melner Award and the USAA Leadership Award go to the No. 2 Cadet in each regiment:
Kevin Bubolz, 13/A/2, Marquette University
The COMtek Warrior Ethos Award goes to the Cadet who displayed innovation, resiliency, courage, integrity, and honor:
Brian Hamel, 13/B/4, University of Vermont
The Warrior Forge Commander’s Leadership Award goes to the Top Cadet in each company:
Matthew Upshaw, 13/A/3, North Georgia College & State University
Brian Hamel, 13/B/4, University of Vermont
The Platoon Leadership Award goes to the Top Cadet in each platoon:
Scott Deryke, 13/A/1, Western Michigan University
Kevin Bubolz, 13/A/2, Marquette University
Matthew Upshaw, 13/A/3, North Georgia College & State University
Jesse Dewan 13/A/4, Widener University
Douglas Rohde, 13/A/5, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Caitlin Holbrook-Bruns, 13/B/1, Gonzaga University
Marcus Fisher, 13/B/2, Austin Peay State University
Brendan Hoffman, 13/B/3, Tufts University
Brian Hamel, 13/B/4, University of Vermont
Aurelia Clementi-Poat, 13/B/5, University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point
Fortunato: Trust wins the day high over Lake Sequalitchew
By Pierce Yarberry
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – “Ages ago, Native American tribes from across the Northwest gathered at Lake Sequalitchew to test their will and bravery. These warriors came to these hallowed waters in the spirit of competition. Their spirits linger on, beckoning us to live as they did and to honor their traditions …”
Sgt. Maj. Gary Fortunato is the senior training advisor for the water confidence course at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Mike Sweeten
It’s probably hooey, but that’s how Sgt. Maj. Gary Fortunato responded when he learned that he was being profiled for this story. Fortunato is well-known as the senior training advisor for the water confidence course at Lake Sequalitchew on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, where the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) takes place. For the past seven years, he has had a ready word for Army Cadets who may be afraid of water and of heights.
He assured me that his made-up story is far more interesting than his life history.
Over the last 14 years, Fortunato has been the senior military instructor at Providence College, and teaches and encourages Cadets at LDAC. Prior to that, he served 30 years on active duty. Fortunato has worked in infantry, military intelligence, and administrative professions. This is Fortunato’s humble version.
At the water confidence course, Fortunato watches every summer as Cadets climb, shimmy, scoot, splash, and swim their way out of LDAC. Cadets must successfully navigate the water confidence events in order to pass the course. When they get stuck, and fear of heights or of the water grips their hearts and legs, Fortunato talks them across. He cracks jokes. He asks Cadets to sing their alma mater. If they didn’t know it, he tells them that they have until reaching the end of the zip line to learn it.
The familiarity leads to trust. His motto, “You can do it,” stems from his personal history of accomplishments. And, most Cadets succeed.
“It’s important for them to trust their resources and for us to empower them,” said Fortunato. “Even if they’ve faltered, they learn to trust their equipment, each other and themselves.”
Cadets overcome fears at water confidence-building exercises
By Hannah Van Ree
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Fear is a powerful thing, but it can be overcome at the Leader Development and Assessment Course. Cadets here manage the pressures of fear in their own way, making the choice of taking fear by the horns or leaving LDAC empty-handed.
Water and heights are just two of the many obstacles in Cadets’ minds as they conquer tasks at Joint Base Lewis-McChord this summer.
At the Water Confidence Course, Cadets learn to overcome their fear of water and heights. U.S. Army photo by Al Zdarsky
“We’ll ask them what their fear is first and make them understand that it is OK for them to have fear,” said Sgt. Maj. Gary Fortunato, a senior advisor to the confidence committee. But as leaders they need to learn to push through their fear. We remind them of their past successes in training and to trust their leadership abilities.”
Cadets are not alone as they complete the events on this course. Not only is teamwork needed to conquer one of the events on the course, but while Cadets face some of their biggest fears, members of their regiment have their back. The course is full of cheering and encouragement.
“At this course, Cadets gain more of a collected identity and realize they are a team – not singling out Cadets from different schools,” said Lt. Col. Paul Baker, chief of the confidence committee.
At the poncho raft assembly, Cadets are shown how to wrap their gear to keep it dry and afloat in their packs. Many who have prior service overseas explained that this type of training does come in handy.
Next, Cadets learn through timed experience how to work as a team and operate Zodiac watercraft efficiently. A team of 10 and a coxswain in charge power into the water from the launch site. Halfway through the water course, they must intentionally capsize their boat, right it again, and get everyone safely back in. They then proceed to shore where they must carry the raft a distance of 50 meters on the ground and then maneuver it back into the water.
“This course is about overcoming fear and building camaraderie,” said officer in charge Warrant Officer Nick Martocci.
After these educational and team-building tasks, Cadets conquer some of their greatest fears. Climbing up the 35-foot ladder is not what scares most Cadets. It is the initial step away from the ladder onto a narrow beam over the water that gives them pause. Looking up at the Read the rest of this entry »
For the Record
Each week in our “For The Record” Q&A series, we asked family and friends of LDAC 2011’s Facebook Fan Page to submit and vote for their favorite questions and have Cadets (randomly selected) share their thoughts. Thank you for participating F3s!
Q. What advice do you have for future Cadets who will attend LDAC?
“Make sure you are in shape for all the physical training. Also be sure to take all your training at school serious.” – Luke Harris, Ole Miss
“Study the TAC OP as much as you can. The better you know that, the better prepared you will be. It is all the preparation you can do.” – Clayton Lawson, Purdue University
“Come in with an open mind. Come ready to learn from everyone, not just the cadre, but Cadets from all over the country. You can learn a lot from everyone and you learn really fast.” – Sean Keeler, University of Alabama
Last Hooah!
The day before graduation, Cadets from the 13th Regiment undertake the two-mile Regimental Run at the Leader Development and Assessment Course on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Mike Sweeten
Blood Drive
West Chester University Cadet Matthew Gotzy (left) answers questions of Spc. Jason Routt (right) of the Armed Services Blood Bank Center before donating blood during the Leader Development and Assessment Course on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Mike Sweeten.
Mission command uses technology to provide close-up look at military operations
By Hannah Van Ree
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Addicted to Facebook or Twitter? Adapting to the newest technology learned at the Leader Development and Assessment Course might be easier than you think. Technology is increasingly becoming a stronger force in the world, and the technological advances of the U.S. military are no different.
Cadets at Operation Warrior Forge are exposed to simulators and technology at Mission Command that will be beneficial to them out in the field.
In the field, Army officers are sometimes put into positions where they are under fire and must make decisions that could affect the lives of their Soldiers. At the beginning of Mission Command, Cadets watch step-by step how a real mission in Afghanistan was executed and why the mission leader made his final decisions.
Kutztown University 11th Regiment Cadet Michael Cardena-Kramer goes through a First Person Simulation (Virtual Battle Space-2) Mission Command in the Mission Command at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Jesse Beals
“These stations expose Cadets to training enablers and challenges they will find on the battlefield. They learn how to use mission command and the systems that they will control as platoon leaders,” said Lt. Col. Scott Figlioli, a professor of military science at Fresno State University and committee chief of Mission Command.
For an hour, Cadets watched a simulated mission video based on real events told by Soldiers. The video is stopped periodically and Cadets take turns acting as platoon leaders, stating what they would do next in the situation.
After the leadership development exercise, Cadets split up and some go to station two, the “First Person Simulation,” while others go to station three, which consists of the “Platform Level Mission Command,” “Call for Fire Trainer,” and the “Common Driver Trainer.”
At “Platform Level Mission Command,” Cadets learn how to operate various military technologies through a Stryker orientation. They deal with many different training enablers and learn how to use tools such as a Blue Force Tracker. Information might include knowing where friendly units are, where they are going and their current coordinates. Also, units can share their locations with one another and commanders can sit at different points and determine the location of all of their units.
The computers in the Strykers have touch screens littered with buttons that indicate fuel levels, map coordinates, weather patterns and team morale levels.
Live at LDAC 2011: 13th Regiment’s Gear Turn In and Reflection on the LDAC Experience
Please join Kailyn and Stephanie, Warrior Forge Public Affairs personnel, as we do weekly live broadcasts from Operation Warrior Forge.
Tactical training strengthens individual leadership
By Pierce Yarberry
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – During Operation Warrior Forge, a significant portion of Cadets perform various tactical exercises. From individual squad tactics to larger patrolling, Cadets are evaluated on their leadership potential in stressful situations.
“We want to help them develop their leadership skills while they’re out here. We want to reinforce their strengths and help them find out where they need to improve,” said Maj. David Ramsey from the University of Cincinnati.
Cadet Robert Zebrowski from Kent State University along with other members of his squad from 10th Regiment, B Company, 4th Platoon patrols the dense undergrowth during the Squad Situational Training Exercise phase of Operation Warrior Forge on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Al Zdarsky
Cadets spend a total of eight and a half days doing maneuvering, squad exercises, patrolling and a 10-kilometer march. Cadets are evaluated numerous times in various leadership roles to include squad leader, patrol leader and assistant patrol leaders.
Of those eight and half days, four are spent at STX lanes. Each squad conducts six lanes a day, with each lane lasting two hours. Cadets have 45 minutes of planning, another 45 minutes to execute their mission and 30 minutes for review.
“The hardest thing to plan for was the terrain,” said University of Alabama in Huntsville Cadet Ty Myatt. “Adapting to a new environment was challenging.”
Cadets look at professional options at LDAC
By Pierce Yarberry
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – The Order of Merit List. For Cadets, it represents the sum of all of their training. The list, which ranks Cadets from across the country, is a criterion by which duty stations and assignments are determined. Where they fall on the list will determine where they will be placed after they have graduated and commissioned, and what Army “branch,” or profession, they will serve in.
Cadet Justin Holmes from Kansas City, Kansas who attends the University of Arkansas checks out an artillery sight during Branch Orientation on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Al Zdarsky
Several factors go into determining a Cadet’s placement on the Order of Merit List. A Cadet’s rank is dependent upon their grade point average, score on the Army Physical Fitness Test, and performance at both their university and at the Leader Development and Assessment Course. The higher up on the list a Cadet is, the more likely they will get their preferred branch.
“Most Cadets already have a good idea of what branch they want before they get to Warrior Forge,” said 2nd Lt. Josh Kennedy, a graduate of Claremont McKenna College.
At Warrior Forge, a branch orientation day brings representatives from Army professions together to help Cadets understand what various jobs entail. Set up much like a job fair, Cadets can visit tents of the 16 different U.S. Army branches. They include: adjutant general corps, air defense artillery, armor, aviation, chemical corps, corps of engineers, field artillery, finance corps, infantry, medical service corps, military intelligence, military police, ordnance corps, quartermaster corps, signal corps, and transportation corps. Read the rest of this entry »
Cadet Cristiano preparing for the blood drive
Niagara University 14th Regiment Cadet Jessica Cristiano from West Seneca, N.Y. fills out the proper paperwork before giving blood during a blood drive at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Jesse Beals.
Forging Professionals
Marymount University 2nd Lt. Bryan Welsh of Fairfax, Va. stands at attention after getting his bars during 11th and 12th Regiments' graduation ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Jesse Beals.
12th Regiment completes LDAC
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. — 12th Regiment has deactivated after finishing the 29-day Leader Development and Assessment Course. Several awards were presented to Cadets:
The AUSA Leadership Excellence Award, Bank of America Coin, and the COMTeK Leadership Award goes to the No. 1 Cadet in each regiment:
Dalton Fuss, 12/A/3, Texas A&M University
The Sinclair L. Melner Award and the USAA Leadership Award go to the No. 2 Cadet in each regiment:
Stefan Gazda, 12/B/4, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
The COMtek Warrior Ethos Award goes to the Cadet who displayed innovation, resiliency, courage, integrity, and honor:
Katelyn Dolezal, 12/A/1, The University of Texas at Austin
The Warrior Forge Commander’s Leadership Award goes to the Top Cadet in each company:
Sean Callahan, 12/A/5, Appalachian State University
Jason Proffitt, 12/B/2, Hawaii Pacific University
The Platoon Leadership Award goes to the Top Cadet in each platoon:
Chunjiang Liao, 12/A/1, University of San Francisco
Ashleigh Isaacson, 12/A/2, North Georgia College & State University
Dugan Turnbow, 12/A/3, The Citadel
Paul Johnston, 12/A/4, North Georgia College & State University
Tabitha Sassor, 12/A/5, University of South Florida
Brandon Peer, 12/B/1, Colorado State University
Michael Galanis, 12/B/2, North Georgia College & State University
Adam Chavis, 12/B/3, Campbell University
John Heisler, 12/B/4, Truman State University
John Farris, 12/B/5, Gonzaga University
11th Regiment Completes LDAC
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. — 11th Regiment has deactivated after finishing the 29-day Leader Development and Assessment Course. Several awards were presented to Cadets:
The AUSA Leadership Excellence Award, Bank of America Coin, and the COMTeK Leadership Award goes to the No. 1 Cadet in each regiment:
Cole Herring, 11/B/5, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
The Sinclair L. Melner Award and the USAA Leadership Award go to the No. 2 Cadet in each regiment:
Keegan Wisehart, 11/A/5, Purdue University
The COMtek Warrior Ethos Award goes to the Cadet who displayed innovation, resiliency, courage, integrity, and honor:
Morgan Watkins, 11/B/1, Georgia Southern University
The Warrior Forge Commander’s Leadership Award goes to the Top Cadet in each company:
Sarah Shaffer, 11/A/3, Magara University
Miranda Doss, 11/B/3, East Tennessee State University
The Platoon Leadership Award goes to the Top Cadet in each platoon:
Gavin Blosser, 11/A/1, Virginia Tech
Andres Gil, 11/A/2, University of Texas at El Paso
Jeremiah Coiffi, 11/A/3, Boston University
Cory Garlock, 11/A/4, Appalachian State University
Laura Kirchner, 11/A/5, Siena College
Jay Dawson, 11/B/1, The Ohio State University
Cory Plymel, 11/B/2, Campbell University
Kristopher Mills, 11/B/3, New Mexico State University
Katie Mace, 11/B/4, University of South Florida
Michael Polanski, 11/B/5, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Live at LDAC 2011: 12th Regiment Water Confidence Course
Please join Kailyn and Stephanie, Warrior Forge Public Affairs personnel, as we do weekly live broadcasts from Operation Warrior Forge.
Cadet’s injury is no obstacle; looks toward an Army commission
By Hannah Van Ree
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – At age 15, Cadet Austin Peck from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls was enjoying a nice August day at Lake Delta with a few of his friends when a turn of events changed his life.
The Ashland, Wis., native was water skiing at a friend’s birthday party when the day took a drastic plunge. His friends who were driving the boat made a sharp turn. As Peck turned his skis into the inside of the corner he tried to pull the rope that had gone loose tight again. Maneuvering the loose rope caused him to fall into the water.
“At first I thought that I had just fallen down and that was it. Then I was pulled for about 10 more feet,” said Peck.
Soon he realized something was out of the ordinary. He was treading water, and the water started to get darker. He raised his hand above water to wave the boat over. That is when he saw his thumb, or lack thereof.
“It didn’t hurt that much, but it was pulsing pretty good,” said Peck.
Cadet Austin Peck from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls suffered from the loss of a severed thumb during a water skiing trip. He completed the Leader Development and Assessment Course this summer at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Mike Sweeten
His right thumb was half gone – “fish bait” as he calls it. Luckily, the mother of the driver of the boat was a nurse and instructed him on how to stop the blood from continuously draining from his hand while he drove 45 minutes to the nearest hospital, holding his injured hand over his head. The doctors cut off the bare knuckle and left a little less than half of a normal thumb.
A thought that crossed Peck’s mind at the time was that he could get a special type of glove that he had seen on other people with missing digits, but he has learned over the years that he can still do just about anything. At first though, he had a rough time readjusting to “his new hand.”
“It’s the thought of losing a thumb. It’s more of an emotional pain than a physical pain,” Peck said.
Peck was in the middle of pre-training for football when the incident happened, and he was worried that playing sports would be an issue for him. At his young age, football was his life.
“I thought my season was shot. But the doctors put a club on my hand, a big cast to go over it, and I played football that year,” Peck smiled.
Leading by example
By Hannah Van Ree
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Lauri Blair is one Cadet on a mission. She’s a prior service Soldier who has previously been deployed and is now, through Army ROTC and the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), out for more. Next time she goes overseas, she hopes to be wearing the gold bar of a second lieutenant, achieved through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. In fact, one of the staff members at here at LDAC started Blair pursuing that goal.
Cadet Lauri Blair is a prior-enlisted Army Soldier who joined ROTC as a Green-to-Gold scholar and graduated from the Leadership Development and Assessment Course at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Mike Sweeten
Blair joined the U.S. Army in 2007. She enlisted, went through basic training, and was soon deployed in the Transportation Corps. Meeting her crew on the plane ride over, Blair would stay overseas for 15 months driving trucks into and out of Iraq. She found out about the officer program while deployed in Kuwait in her eighth month of deployment.
“I was searching for information about becoming an officer and there were postings all over every check spot we were going through throughout Iraq,” Blair said. “I found out there was a briefing at our home location in Kuwait where all my equipment was. I attended the briefing, and that’s where I met Lieutenant Colonel Ousey.”
Lieutenant Col. Shane Ousey is now a professor of military science at Xavier University and this summer is supporting LDAC as the chief of the Cadet personnel division.
After the briefing back in Kuwait, Ousey kept in contact with Blair, realizing she had the potential to be the kind of leader the U.S. Army needed. Blair then submitted a package to qualify for the Army’s Green-to-Gold program. Green-to-Gold is a program that allows enlisted Soldiers to return to college, receive their baccalaureate degree, and commission as Army officers. The package consisted of results from her physicals, grades, test scores (military as well as SAT), acceptance letters to universities, and also letters from the military science ROTC program.
Lessons learned at LDAC
By Hannah Van Ree
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Educators from around the country were given the opportunity recently to understand what it takes to lead Army Soldiers. More than 140 deans, professors, coaches and staff members from colleges and universities around the country spent three days in July at the Leader Development and Assessment Course, U.S. Army Cadet Command’s capstone training and assessment exercise.
The academic professionals toured some of the same obstacles that Army Cadets must successfully navigate to be approved to become a second lieutenant.
Educators from universities across the nation visited the Leadership Development and Assessment Course to get hands-on experience of what it takes to become a U.S. Army officer at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by John Wayne Liston
The visit also serves to uncover any misconceptions civilian leaders have of the Army. “We hope to squash some of the stereotypes and rumors that some misinformed college students might have before jumping into the ROTC program. This gives educators first-hand knowledge to share with students and staff about what ROTC students will experience,” said Capt. Sean Riley, who accompanied the educators during their visit.
Kathy Cook, an advisor for the nursing program at Eastern Washington University, wanted to get a clear understanding of what ROTC was like and how it enhances college life for Cadets. She noted that getting hands-on experience and a visual of what the Cadets go through was great and very educational. She applauded the Cadets’ presence on the training grounds as well.
Amparo Isaza-Navarrete, a recruitment program coordinator at Prairie View A&M University, knows the meaning of hard work and dedication. She came to the U.S. from Colombia 38 years ago and did not speak or understand English. For most immigrants, that would be a setback. But, Navarrete earned two degrees in three years.
Besides being involved in military sciences at the university, she also heads radio and television stations that try to reach out to Hispanic communities to instill what she considers as “a sense of patriotism, citizenship, and unity.”
“I have great respect for military discipline and core values,” Navarette said. “Watching these Cadets complete challenges is like a family versus fear mentality. They work together to achieve each task.”
Taking Charge
University of Wisconsin-Madison Cadet Alice Bechtol from Middleton, Wisc. leads her platoon down Transmission Line Road during the 10k foot march at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Jesse Beals.
For the Record
Each week in our “For The Record” Q&A series, we’ll have family and friends of LDAC 2011’s Facebook Fan Page submit and vote for their favorite questions and have Cadets (randomly selected) share their thoughts.
We have added a “Poll” link in the left-hand column on LDAC 2011’s Facebook Fan Page where you can VOTE for the question you want to see answered by Cadets each week.
Q. If you had one extra day at LDAC and could do anything you wanted over again, what would it be and why?
“STX lanes. It was a blast and we got quick action.” – Matias Ampuero, Georgia Military College
“Go to the weapons range and fire more!” – Sidney Jaques, University of Scranton
“The field leader’s reaction course because we worked together as a team.” – Lauren Valenti, Lehigh University
“Rappelling. It was so much fun and I had never done it before.” – Arielle Bazulka, East Stroudsburg of University of Pennsylvania
“U.S. Weapons training. There were a lot of weapons that I had never shot before, and it was a really relaxed environment.” – Natalie Thiel, Capital University
