Combat Dining In

Article by C/Hernandez


The Detachment conducted the traditional Combat Dining In on 07 April 2012. This event was meant to carry out tradition as well as to provide a morale boost for all cadets. It was conducted in a relaxed environment in which all of the cadets were able to interact with the cadet officers. The cadets that are commissioning this May added the food or drink of their choosing to the grog bowl. Cadets were able to send other cadets to the grog by may using a rhyme, a poem, or a song stating their reason for sending them to the grog. The cadets who were sent to the grog were then to drink from it following the proper procedure. After cadets were done being sent to the grog bowl the skits were then performed. The cadets performed the skits by flights and the cadet officers performed skits of their choosing, poking good natured fun at each other. Once the skits concluded the guest speaker chose a winner and spoke to the cadets. The experience of being at Combat Dining In is unforgettable. Cadets were able to experience a military tradition while enjoying themselves and building esprit de corps.

LLAB 13

The Detachment took LLAB to the Navy this week, with host Naval Station Great Lakes. This Leadership Laboratory focused on fine tuning those skills that Field Training Preparation cadets would be using their first few days of Field Training. The cadets practiced squadron marching, dorm maintenance, and reveille and retreat procedures. In preparation for LLAB 14, cadets also learned "eyes right" to use in the upcoming parade. It was very beneficial to conduct this LLAB at Naval Station Great Lakes since cadets had the opportunity to practice making bunks and organizing drawers in the dorms on site. With this being the final training the cadets will receive this semester, it becomes time to look to the future as the 200s prepare to become cadet officers, and the 100s prepare to replace them next year. We also begin to look to Commissioning, which will prove to be an unforgettable day for our commissioning seniors.

LLAB 12

After several months of repeating AEF training, and learning challenge procedures and the like, the 195th Cadet Wing had their chance to show off what they knew in an exercise called Operations Day. The Wing "deployed" to Oceania to support aid operations in the region, and stabilize it from the attacks of known terrorist Abu Sayyef. Cadets were organized as an operational wing, with elements representing logistics, communications, security forces, quick reaction forces, medical flight, and the fob and wing leadership. This experience was invaluable training for all of the cadets, who had the opportunity to react to a variety of scenarios, ranging from a mortar attack to invasion by local officials, to attacks by local teenagers. The exercise highlighted our teamwork and communication abilities as well as our leadership skills in a stressful environment.

LLAB 11

As the semester begins to come to a close, it is important to ensure that we stay on top of the basics as cadets. For the 100s, this Leadership Laboratory was dedicated to perfecting marching in a flight, and featured instruction of a lot of advanced drill moves. For the 200s, they were on edge for the entire LLAB awaiting the announcement of enrollment allocations. Semester awards also took place during this LLAB after a visit from a special guest.

Congratulations to all of the award winners, and to the 200s that earned their enrollment allocations! We can't wait until you all come back as Professional Officer Corps. cadets!

LLAB 10

Although Operation Rising Warhawk II proved fun for all involved, it was especially beneficial to the Field Training Preparation cadets, for whom this was the last opportunity to receive feedback and correction on their leadership abilities before Field Training. The cadets were again assigned positions from group commander down to flight commanders, deputy flight commanders and trainers. This LLAB would prove interesting for we had the added challenge of accommodating Junior ROTC cadets from the Air Force Academy High School. Fortunately they could march, so it wasn't too difficult of an adjustment! The second curveball thrown at us was the added requirement of completing an open-ranks inspection at some point throughout the training day. Acting quickly, the cadet group commander C/Berlin eliminated the last station of training to ensure that we had enough time to prepare our flights and have them inspected. The most common feedback that was given was that communication could have been better between the group staff and the flights. Fortunately everyone received the message in time to complete their mission.

At the end of the day, the JROTC cadets had the opportunity to sit with the IMT cadets and get their questions answered regarding ROTC, commissioning, balancing the military with school, etc. They felt that the experience was beneficial in making their decision to continue with the military.

LLAB 9

With field training fast approaching for our 200s, this Leadership Laboratory focused training on dorm maintenance procedures for them, while the 100s worked to further improve their drill and ceremonies. After the initial training sessions, the deatachment had the opportunity to hear Lieutenant Commander Frank Swenson (USN, Ret.) speak and tell us of his adventures. LCDR Swenson served in North Africa and Italy during World War II. He was also part of the team that helped capture Iwo Jima. LCDR Swenson's leadership provides an example for all of us at Detachment 195 to follow.

LLAB 8

The moment many of us had been waiting for all semester... a calm walk with our mentors led us to the Dunbar Park track to prove our worth, and to show how our well our workouts and physical training sessions have prepared us. The Physical Fitness Assessment was conducted on a very brisk Thursday afternoon during LLAB 8. C/Medina led the wing in stretches, and the underclass cadets paired up with a cadet officer to record scores. During the pushups and situps, you could hear the cadets partners motivating each other to get that one extra pushup, that one ever-so-important situp, which could be the difference between an enrollment allocation, or a pilot slot selection. The run was incredibly motivational, with the whole wing motivating the other group of cadets to push themselves to the limit, in that final challenge for the day. Whether or not we reached our personal goal, one thing was for sure: the air of camaraderie was unmistakable, and reminded us that no matter the challenge, our wingmen will be there to help us through it.