Shippensburg University Army ROTC cadets set their books down and picked up their rucksacks for a weekend at Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG), Pennsylvania, to participate in a small unit tactics oriented Leader Development Exercise (LDX).

Several dozen cadets, who are contracted with the U.S. Army, put their classroom curriculum into practice, which included everything from survival methods to applying leadership competencies while on patrol. The LDX was not only designed for cadets to apply their skills, but also for them to learn how to function as professional Army officers under stressful situations.

“Part of the training is to build them [cadets] up to where they can take a lot of stress,” said Mark Tressler, a cadet who serves as the battalion’s human resources officer. “Professionalism is supposed to be No. 1.”

Military Science (MS) III’s and IV’s, which are the equivalent to juniors and seniors of the ROTC program, left SU on Sept. 25 to begin their training.

They arrived at the military base one day before the MS I’s and II’s, to receive additional instruction.

The LDX focused on getting MS III’s prepared to be leaders of platoons and squads, which consisted of MS I’s and II’s who arrived on Sept. 26 — for them, the LDX was geared toward getting their feet wet in the training environment.

“I’m looking forward to getting some experience in the woods,” said Cadet Benjamin Harrison, an MS I, on the way to the base. “I want to get a better understanding of the military life.”

Establishing a patrol base

Harrison and his fellow cadets first learned about the characteristics of a patrol base when they arrived at a wooded and secluded sector of FTIG. Cadet Devon Newcomer explained that a patrol base is meant to be a secure place for a unit out in the field to temporarily rest and redefine their plans.

As the sun sank slowly behind the tree line, the cadets learned that setting up such a base would be their primary objective for the evening. They would simulate a military unit that must be prepared for enemy contact.

“It’s going to be dark out — keep light discipline,” Newcomer said, meaning their red-tinted flashlights should be used sparingly to avoid possible detection.

Before they got to work, the upper class cadets joined them for dinner, which consisted of two Meals Ready-to-Eat (MRE) that were supposed to last them the night and next morning. MRE’s contain a variety of calorie-dense snacks and a main dish that can be heated up by following the simple instructions found inside the package.

A formal lecture about the function of a patrol base followed the short meal time. As darkness fell, two cadets explained that the No. 1 objective is to secure the area. Then, other “priorities of work” could commence, which included developing an escape route, preparing for the next day’s mission and resting for the next day.

“Security will always be there,” Cadet Elizabeth Scheivert said, explaining that the area must be protected while completing other jobs.

A patch of woods adjacent to where the cadets were based was scouted and a perimeter in the shape of a triangle was established using three squads. While higher-ranking cadets organized Sunday’s plan — the reconnaissance mission — the others set up their sleeping bags and waterproofing equipment.

Regardless of the task at hand, some of the officers-in-training became frustrated with trying to organize the next day’s operation, let alone establishing a night watch to guard the base.

“We won’t be getting much sleep,” one cadet said, adding there was a lot to accomplish before morning.

After some determined discussion, the cadets felt more comfortable with their plans and by 11 p.m., many were asleep.

Conducting a reconnaissance mission

The last day of the LDX featured a simulated reconnaissance mission that consisted of three squads conducting surveillance on a compound located somewhere in the woods near the patrol base.

Each squad had the same objective — to gather information on the specified area — however, they would approach it separately and then reconvene to report their findings.

After waking up at 4:30 a.m. and packing their rucksacks, the cadets split up into their squads to be briefed. By the time the sun came up they set off in formation down an unpaved road and then moved into the forest.

An operational rally point (ORP) was established, which gave the squads a specific location to meet before and after they conducted their missions. With maps at the ready, compasses orientated and radios checked, the three units split up and quietly approached the objective location.

Separately, the squads confirmed their observations via radio and made their way back through the woods to the ORP.

“It was two men patrolling a road with ACU’s [army combat uniforms] and M-4’s,” Cadet Meghan Wallace said.

After action review

Once the cadets returned to Wright Hall at SU, they reflected on the LDX, in what is called an after action review. The goal was to figure out what went well and what needed improvement. By doing so, the cadets could sharpen their skills and plan better for future training exercises.

One of the biggest points touched upon was that applying knowledge learned in ROTC classes was not as simple as many cadets expected.

“If you get put in those situations, things change,” Cadet Christopher Littlejohn said, noting the LDX was meant to both get the future U.S. Army officers out of the classroom and for them to understand that perseverance was a key factor when dealing with high-pressure situations.

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