When I began working Georgia Military College, twenty-six years ago,
one of the first experiences I heard about from certain cadets was
what was then called the United States Army "Advanced Camp"; I had
no idea in those days that I would ever be invited to visit or
participate in part of the program, the following is a continuation
of the chronicle about our visit to LDAC.
The Advanced Training is now known as LDAC, Leadership Development
and Assessment Course, and although it lasts only twenty nine days,
from my observation, the occasion must seem like an eternity because
although the surrounding area is beautiful to behold, most cadets
are physically located so far from home. Their summer training
during the first year is at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, but the second year
they are deployed to The Joint Base Lewis-McChord, located in the
picturesque state of Washington near Seattle.
Because our
excursion group was mobile during the daylight hours, the Army
personnel distributed MREs for lunch which according to their
official website "includes entree, side dish, crackers, peanut
butter/cheese spread, dessert, instant coffee/tea, matches, toilet
paper, spoon, and a heater to prepare the main entree. While
everything in an MRE can be eaten cold, it usually tastes better
warm." We heated our fare, using the handy enclosed apparatus, and
ate the issued food and our determination is that although it is
substantial, we preferred the nourishment served at the lodge; some
individuals received rainbow-colored candies in their issue; others
did not.
The groups were
briefed on Cultural Awareness and Rules of Engagement and
subsequently encountered the forces known as Atropians. Atropia, as
explained by the military narrator, is located in the
Caucasus,
a land where the inhabitants speak
Spanish-
sounding languages and celebrate customs similar those in
Afghanistan and Iraq. The primary religion of the country is
Muslim; an environment where old age is revered and honored. In
this fictional country reside the theoretical enemy of our cadets,
the opposing soldiers and citizens have unique characteristics that
our young soldiers study at length, and stand alert for attacks from
the antagonist.
After touring Mission Command and observing such instruments as
sophisticated simulators, the rest of the afternoon was filled with
lessons on rappelling, the practice tower and the forty-foot giant
version, a confidence and leader reaction course which although
physically taxing was regarded as enjoyable. We toured the training
areas and observed and were encouraged to ask questions of the
participants. The guide explained at the encampment that during a
weeklong field training exercise, the enemy will certainly launch
several sneak-attacks and at least one night assault.
That evening we
dined with selected cadets in a tented area and enjoyed sandwiches
and burgers with the trimmings and desert offerings before we loaded
on the tour buses and departed for our hotel. When we arrived at
the inn the cool temperatures and the three hour time difference
began to take hold on the guests from Georgia, and we quickly
retired to our respective chambers.
