Leaders assess risks before testing Operation Warrior Forge Cadets

By Alexandra Kocik
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

Master Sgt. Frank Boaz conducts a secondary equipment check before Cadet Carlos Diaz from the University of Texas at El Paso rappels down the 30-foot wall during Operation Warrior Forge. U.S. Army photo by Alexandra Kocik

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. — Masks, ropes, helmets and maps are just a few of the tools cadets will use during Operation Warrior Forge. Although not all of these items are dangerous, the exercises they are used in must be carefully planned to avoid broken bones and equipment. Leaders with U.S. Army Cadet Command spend countless hours developing ways to avoid accidents during the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) with a motto of “Safety first, safety always.”

There are safety standards for everything from driving a 15-passenger van to running the land navigation course. Cadet Command uses a process called Composite Risk Management (CRM) to assess the dangers of any action taken on base. Risk assessment matrices measure the probability and severity of hazards and develop ways to control the situation for maximum safety. High-risk activities must be reworked to meet minimal risk requirements.

2nd Regiment’s Army Physical Fitness Test

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Jessica Tarsa and Lyle Rogers achieved the top scores on the Army Physical Fitness Test for 2nd Regiment with Tarsa getting a 377 and Rogers getting a 368.
Scores and regiment standings:

Second Regiment Cadets complete the two-mile run portion of the APFT at LDAC. U.S. Army photo by Jesse Beals

Top Overall
377: Jessica Tarsa, Duke University
368: Lyle Rogers, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Top Two-Mile Run
10:54: John Gatewood, Citadel
13:15: Kayla Amsler, Gannon University

Top Sit-Ups
107: Lyle Rogers, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
104: Jessica Tarsa, Duke University

Top Push-Ups
115: Joshua Brownlow, University of Florida
76: Jessica Tarsa, Duke University

1st Regiment’s Army Physical Fitness Test

First Regiment Cadet Abigail Drew from Texas Christian does push-ups for the APFT at Lewis-McChord, Wash. U.S. Army photo by Jesse Beals

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Cameron University Cadet Ariel Bergeron and North Carolina State University Cadet Ben Bizzell achieved the overall top scores on the Army Physical Fitness Test for 1st Regiment, with Bergeron scoring a 374 and Bizzell scoring a 373.

Scores and regiment standings:

Top Overall

374: Ariel Bergeron, Cameron University
373: Ben Bizzell, North Carolina State University

Top Two-Mile Run

9:58: Parker Thompson, Wheaton College
13:20: Jashay Bingham, University of Houston

Top Sit-Ups

107: Kelly Lindemann, Seattle University
105: Ashley Pierce, Ohio State University
105: Ariel Bergeron, Cameron University

Top Push-Ups

119: Ben Bizzell, North Carolina State University
75: Ariel Bergeron, Cameron University
75: Jashay Bingham, University of Houston

Staying in shape at LDAC 2012

Warrior Forge Commandant of Cadets, Col. Dean Shultis, expresses the importance of physical fitness at the LDAC 2012 APFT.

1st and 2nd Regiments report for LDAC

By Hannah Van Ree
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Second Lt. Starlet Baker prides herself in being the first face to welcome Cadets of the 1st Regiment to the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) this year at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The few Cadets that trickled in from the 1st and 2nd Regiments around 9:30 a.m., June 11, and the first buses that arrived, signaled the beginning of Warrior Forge 2012.

Cadet Jessica Dodd, a junior from the University of Arizona, signs in to the Leader Development and Assessment Course after arriving to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. U.S. Army photo by Jesse Beals

Traveling from all over the country and some from all over the globe, U.S. Army Cadets from all different backgrounds come together at LDAC every summer to complete a crucial assessment they need before becoming second lieutenants. Cadets are flown into Sea-Tac International Airport and then bused to the base, their new home for the next month.

Cadets had a chance to bond during the flights and bus ride from the airport to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Cadet Ashlie LaFalce of 1st Regiment from State University of N.Y. College, Brockport, said that it felt like team building was already taking place.

Forging Professionals

United States Army Cadets at the Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as Operation Warrior Forge, survey the training area during a patrolling exercise. Photo by J.M. Simpson. Used by permission.

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. — The Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as Operation Warrior Forge, is U.S. Army Cadet Command’s flagship training and assessment exercise held here each summer. Every Army ROTC Cadet hoping to pin on the gold bar of an Army lieutenant must successfully complete Warrior Forge. After graduation, most attendees will go back to their colleges or universities to finish their degrees and then be commissioned. Some Cadets, having completed all other commissioning requirements, will receive their gold bars on the parade field during the graduation ceremony.

Warrior Forge is a 29-day odyssey in leadership and Soldiering skills. This summer, 14 regiments will take part in the course — with nearly 500 cadets in each regiment.

From the moment Cadets arrive at Joint Base Lewis-McChord they are challenged to excel. From the Army Physical Fitness Test held within the first few days of a Cadet’s arrival, to the ultimate challenge of managing a patrol squad in the field as events unfold without warning, Cadets are put through their paces and evaluated for their fitness to lead American Soldiers.

What Is This Training All About?

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. — The mission of the Leader Development and Assessment Course is to train U.S. Army ROTC cadets to Army standards and to develop leadership and evaluate officer potential. This is accomplished through a tiered training structure using light infantry tactics as the instructional medium.

Maneuver Training

The Warrior Forge training program is sequential and progressive. It starts with individual training and leads to collective training, building from simple to complex tasks. This building-block approach permits integration of previously-learned skills into follow-on training. This logical, common-sense training sequence is maintained for each training cycle. Every day at LDAC is a day of training. Below are some highlights:

Land Navigation – Days 6/7, 8/9

Land Navigation training must be mastered early in the camp cycle for the cadets to be fully successful in the tactical training which follows. The Land Navigation evaluation consists of three events totaling 100 points. The written examination is worth 20 percent. The day Land Navigation test is worth 50 percent. The night Land Navigation test is worth 30 percent. Each cadet must earn 70 percent on each test to pass this event. A passing score in Land Navigation is a camp-completion criterion. Prior to Land Navigation cadets will learn field craft while living and sleeping in the woods. They will set up field expedient shelters using ponchos and whatever else is available. They’ll learn how to maintain noise, light and litter discipline.

Rappel Training

Attending the LDAC Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony

New 2nd Lt. Ashley Bailey is congratulated following her commissioning at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., at the conclusion of the 2011 Leader Development and Assessment Course. U.S. Army photo by Al Zdarsky

Every graduation ceremony will be live-streamed on
our Ustream channel at http://ustre.am/3nmd starting 9 a.m. PST

Successful completion of Warrior Forge is perhaps the single most significant event in the multi-year Cadet leadership development process. As a result, family and friends of all graduates and commissionees are cordially invited to attend the graduation and commissioning ceremonies.

All graduations and commissioning ceremonies will be conducted on Watkins Field at Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s main post at 9:00 a.m. on the dates listed below. This is an hour-long outdoor ceremony, so please come prepared for the weather.

Graduation and commissioning ceremonies, by regiment for Warrior Forge, are:

• 1st and 2nd Regiments: July 9
• 3rd and 4th Regiments: July 13
• 5th and 6th Regiments: July 17
• 7th and 8th Regiments: July 21
• 9th and 10th Regiments: July 26
• 11th and 12th Regiments: July 30
• 13th and 14th Regiments: August 3

Contact!

If you have general questions about LDAC, please peruse the information posted on this web site. If you can’t find the answer here, contact your Cadet. If that doesn’t work, contact your Cadet’s ROTC battalion at the school he or she attends and ask the cadre. Finally, if you can’t find the information you need, contact us at warriorforge.pao@gmail.com.

We will be posting most necessary information on this site as it becomes available.

By the way, we’re also on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/warriorforge/
and Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/LDAC2012/.

You can also follow our live streaming video channel. We’ll be using this platform during Warrior Forge this year so that family, friends, and fans can see what this training is all about. Check it out here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/warriorforgelive. A schedule of coverage will be available soon.

To send snail mail to Cadets:

Cadet Lastname, Firstname
Warrior Forge
x REG, x CO, x PLT
PO Box 339543
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433-9543

(x=the respective regiment, company, and platoon designator. If you don’t know this, just leave it blank.)

14th Regiment: Hamilton’s Own

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 14th Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 5th Field Artillery Regiment. “Faithful and Truth.”

History

The 5th Field Artillery was constituted as part of the Regular Army in January 1907, although the lineage dates back to the Revolutionary War. Campaign streamers from the War of 1812, Indian Wars, Mexican War, and Civil War further attest to its long history.

13th Regiment: Men of War

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 13th Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 33rd Armored Regiment. “Men of War.”

History

The 33rd Armored Regiment has a proud and distinguished history of service to the nation. The Men of War regiment was constituted Jan. 13, 1941 as the 3rd Armored Regiment and activated April 15, 1941 at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana. On May 8, 1941, the regiment was redesignated as the 33rd Armored Regiment.

12th Regiment: Red Lions

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 12th Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 32nd Armored Regiment. “Victory or Death!”

History

The 32nd Armored Regiment has a proud and distinguished history of service to the nation. In World War II and the Persian Gulf War the 32nd Armored Regiment proved its courage and bravery.

11th Regiment: Black Horse

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 11th Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. “Allons!”

History

Organized on Feb. 2, 1901, the Black Horse regiment first saw combat with General Arthur MacArthur against the tribal insurrections in the Philippine Islands in 1902. Ordered into battle a decade later, the Black Horse regiment served as the vanguard for General “Blackjack” Pershing’s punitive expedition into Mexico.

10th Regiment: Tomahawks

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 10th Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 23rd Infantry Regiment. “We Serve.”

History

The 23rd Infantry Regiment has a proud and distinguished history of service to the nation. From the Civil War to Vietnam, the 23rd Infantry Regiment has proven its courage and bravery.

Organized on July 8, 1861, the 23rd Infantry first saw action on Civil War battlefields, serving with distinction at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

9th Regiment: Manchu

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 9th Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 9th Infantry Regiment. “Keep Up the Fire.”

History

Constituted March 3, 1855 in the Regular Army as the 9th Infantry, the regiment fought in over 400 skirmishes during the Indian wars between 1855 and 1867. The regiment traces its lineage to units which fought in the Union Army during the Civil War and received honors for several campaigns, including Chickamauga and Chattanooga.

8th Regiment: Automatic

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 8th Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 8th Field Artillery Regiment. “Audacieux et Tenace”

History

The 8th Field Artillery Regiment has a proud and distinguished history of service to the nation. From World War I to the Persian Gulf War, the 8th Field Artillery Regiment has proved its courage and bravery.

7th Regiment: Garry Owen

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 7th Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 7th Armored Cavalry Regiment. “The Seventh First!”

The 7th Cavalry Regiment is one of the most renowned units in the United States Army. Its deeds are linked forever with the legends of the American West. The sabers of the 7th Cavalry were first drawn in service during the Indian wars when the Garry Owen regiment charged into history against Blackfeet, Kiowa, Comanches, and Sioux.

6th Regiment: The Regulars

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 6th Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 6th Infantry Regiment. “Unity is Strength”

History

The 6th Infantry was constituted in Vermont during the War of 1812 and first went into battle in November 1813 during the Canadian Campaign. In 1814, under the command of U.S. General Winfield Scott at the battle of Chippewa, his poorly outfitted Soldiers routed the British. “Those are regulars, by God,” exclaimed the British commander. From then on, Soldiers of the 6th Infantry continued to earn the right to be called, “The Regulars.”

5th Regiment: Bobcats

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 5th Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 5th Infantry Regiment. “I’ll try, Sir.”

History

The 5th Infantry Regiment has a proud and distinguished history of service to the nation. From the War of 1812 to Vietnam, the 5th Infantry Regiment has proved its courage and bravery.

4th Regiment: Sykes’ Regulars

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 4th Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 20th Infantry Regiment. “Tant Que Je Puis.”

History

The 20th Infantry Regiment is a unit steeped in glory and service to the nation. Constituted May 3, 1861 in the Regular Army as the 2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry, it was organized June 6, 1862 at Fort Independence, Massachusetts.

3rd Regiment: Brave Rifles

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 3rd Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. “Brave Rifles! Veterans!”

History

On a crimson landscape, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment first dashed to battle during the Mexican War as a regiment of mounted riflemen. The regiment earned its nickname early, as it lay bloodied and exhausted after the fierce fighting at Contreras. Stirred at the sight of each man rising to attention at his approach, General Winfield Scott roared, “Brave Rifles! Veterans! You have been baptized in fire and blood and you’ve come out steel.”

2nd Regiment: Dragoons

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 2nd Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. “Toujours Pret.”

History

The 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment is the oldest cavalry regiment in the United States Army, with over 150 years of continuous active duty. It was first bloodied in the Indian campaigns in Florida and the American southwest, and participated in every major campaign of the Mexican War.

1st Regiment: Striker

The U.S. Army Cadet Command established the Regimental Affiliation Program in 1985 to foster unit cohesion, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and the pride of belonging among the diverse groups of Cadets attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course from states around the nation.

Cadets attending LDAC have the unique privilege of being members of one of the Army’s finest combat units. Through the Regimental Affiliation Program, each Cadet organization is assigned to an active Army regiment. The goal of the program is to bind Cadets and cadre together in a close-knit and dynamic organizational relationship with a strong sense of teamwork so crucial to success at LDAC.

LDAC’s 1st Regiment is affiliated with the U.S. Army’s 37th Field Artillery. “On the Minute.”

History

Constituted July, 5 1918 in the National Army as the 37th Field Artillery and assigned to the 13th Division, the 37th Field Artillery was organized Aug. 17,  1918 at Camp Lewis, Washington. Too late to see combat in World War I, it was demobilized Feb. 11, 1919.