Obstacle Course

Much of the unit’s training lately has been mission-focused battle drills and other essential training. This past Saturday we were able to have a bit of fun thrown into the mix. Saturday was a day we looked forward to as it was the day we went to the obstacle course.

For some the obstacle course is a challenge, as it is designed to be. For some it is a chance to really look inside themselves and see just what they can do. For others, like myself, it is simply a fun time with the added benefit of helping our physical fitness…and I have to admit it was also a challenge as well as a chance to find out just what I’m made of.

For our unit the obstacle course was great training. I cannot speak for the entire company, but my team took a lot away from it…and I don’t mean just a collection of nasty bruises. For starters, everyone, and I do mean everyone, on my team gave 110% on each and every obstacle…which impressed me as Physical Training (PT) Saturday morning we exercised to muscle failure, which was only a couple hours before hitting the obstacle course.

The second thing we gained was a greater sense of teamwork. For safety reasons on a couple of the obstacles we had people stationed in positions to catch anyone who might fall off an obstacle (darn rolling logs). When you’re trying to balance on a moving log, knowing that the personnel on either side of you are there to prevent you from being injured is comforting. My team also supported each other’s morale and motivation splendidly. The few times any of us were unsure and hesitated they were immediately (and sincerely) encouraged and supported by the rest of us. Lastly, but not least, every single member of my team attempted every single obstacle on the course and did so with a positive “can do” attitude.

I would like to report that I was personally able to overcome every obstacle on the course…but I’d be lying. There was one obstacle that despite all my trying, motivation, and “can do” I wasn’t able to overcome. It started with a rope climb. I don’t know how many of you have experience with climbing ropes, but the coordination to be able to do so eluded me Saturday morning. I gave it all I had though, almost achieved success on my third try, but then my muscles gave out and I had an interesting slide back to the ground. Many would consider such a situation a failure, but I am not one of them. I still considered it a success because not only did I keep a positive attitude, gave 110%, but most importantly gave the junior enlisted under me an example to follow: Keep trying, never give up

Overall, the obstacle course Saturday morning was fun, relevant, effective, and valuable training…not just on a personnel level, but for the entire unit as a whole. I can’t wait for the Leadership Reaction Course in a few weeks.

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