The Crow s Nest II - iit.edu Nest Fall 2015.pdfFall 2015 Volume 1, Issue 1 IIT NROTC Unit The...
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Fall 2015 Volume 1, Issue 1
IIT NROTC Unit
The Crow’s Nest II
MESSAGE FROM THE CO: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
After 28 years of service at 13 different commands, this is definitely the best job in the
Navy. I am humbled by the privilege in helping to prepare you, our future leaders in the
Navy and Marine Corps, in the Profession of Arms. There is not a more dedicated,
uniquely talented team of midshipmen at any of the 63 other NROTC units/consortia and
USNA -- because they’re all here in the NROTC Chicago Consortium -- especially at IIT
and UIC!
In August, we welcomed the five new fourth-class midshipmen into the unit during New
Student Orientation at the Navy’s Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes. It was
there that our upper-class midshipmen staff launched their leadership skills into action
by conducting small arms familiarization, sailing and swim qualifications, close order
drill, marching, military indoctrination and many, many PT sessions. You interfaced
regularly with your Fleet counterparts and observed a “capping ceremony” in which the
enlistees make that emotional transition from “Recruit” to “Sailor” towards the end of
boot camp.
In October, we held the Chicago Consortium drill competition with Northwestern and
Loyola universities this quarter, and the IIT/UIC team won both the Color Guard and
Endurance Team competitions. These were resounding successes and came close to
breaking some team records!
We held our Fall Military Ball at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago. Retired USMC
Major General Mel Spiese, the IIT Marine Officer Instructor from 1983-1986, was our
guest of honor. The General’s experiences as a NROTC graduate and young Marine of-
ficer resonated clearly with all of you, not just the MECEPs and Marine Options in the
crowd.
The door is always open to our IIT/UIC NROTC alumni. If you know them, then please
let me know so I can invite them back home to share their knowledge and wisdom with
us.
I am proud of your achievements at school, in the unit, and out in the community. I know
each and every one of you will make a very positive difference in the Fleet/Field following
commissioning. Looking forward to seeing you around campus.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
NSO Week ...............................3
CAPT Stancy ............................4
CAPT Duncan ..........................4
LCS Shipyard ...........................5
Birthday Ball ............................6
IIT Drill Competition ...............7
SULE Lab .................................8
Endurance Lab.........................9
New Unit Staff Biographies
Captain Tom Brasek of Medford, NJ, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical
Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1987. He is presently assigned as
the Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science at the NROTC Chicago Consorti-
um with staffs located Northwestern University and Illinois Institute of Technology.
Following nuclear power and warfare specialty training pipelines, Captain Brasek served
in various engineering division officer jobs in USS FLYING FISH (SSN 673) and USS
BAINBRIDGE (CGN 25). His next sea duty assignment was Combat Systems Officer in
USS HAWES (FFG 53). Following this first department head tour, he transferred to USS
ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) and served as Electrical Officer. Captain Brasek’s next sea tours
were Executive Officer in USS LABOON (DDG 58) followed by Operations Officer in USS
KEARSARGE (LHD 3) and Commanding Officer in USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44).
Ashore, Captain Brasek was the Inner Range Officer at the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Train-
ing Facility in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. He served as the Executive Assistant to the
Deputy Director for Naval Reactors (NAVSEA 08) in Washington, DC. He also completed
a tour at the Pentagon as the lead military strategist for developing warfare planning
scenarios in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Captain Brasek was
assigned to Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic as Officer-in-Charge of the Surface
Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team, which readied aircraft carriers for safe, effec-
tive nuclear propulsion plant operations. Most recently, he was the Director of Inspec-
tions at the Board of Inspection and Survey ensuring Fleet material readiness through
periodic equipment/systems inspections and ship trials.
Captain Brasek holds a Master of Science Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the
Naval Postgraduate School (1994) and in Engineering Management from Old Dominion
University (2012). He is a licensed Professional Engineer (Mechanical Engineering) in
the State of California.
MOI: CAPT DANIEL T. CARTICA
CO: CAPT THOMAS P. BRASEK
Captain Daniel T. Cartica, originally from
Pleasant Valley, NY, was commissioned
into the United States Marine Corps in
March 2011 through the Officer Candidate
Course. He is currently the Marine Officer
Instructor/Assistant Professor of Naval
Science at the NROTC Chicago Consorti-
um. Captain Cartica served as the Mainte-
nance Management, Motor Transporta-
tion, and Assistant Logistics Officer with
1st Battalion 5th Marines in Camp Pend-
leton, CA. During his time in Camp Pend-
leton, he deployed with the 31st Marine
Expeditionary Unit and Marine Rotational
Force-Darwin, respectively. Captain Car-
tica also served as the Headquarters Com-
pany Executive Officer with 5th Marine
Regiment.
Captain Cartica holds a Bachelor of Busi-
ness Administration in Finance from
George Washington University, MBA from
Norwich University, and is currently pur-
suing an Executive Certificate in Leader-
ship from the Kellogg School of Manage-
ment, Certificate in African Studies, and
also studying the Swahili language. He
teaches Evolution of Warfare and Am-
phibious Operations.
2
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION WEEK
By MIDN 1/C Xavier Aragon
New Student Orientation is designed to welcome new members to the battalion, which
included and transform them from civilian college students to NROTC midshipmen. It is
fully planned and ran by midshipmen, emphasizing from day one the importance of peer
leadership within the program. Orientation requires students to focus and promote disci-
pline, as they receive information from their instructors immediately.
The week’s program involves physical training, classes orienting the students with the
Naval Service and its constituent parts and their missions, and instruction in discipline
and drill movements. Morning workouts encourage the new class to work together and
motivate each other in preparation for their first physical fitness assessment, conducted
at the end of the week. Topics ranging from basic Navy and Marine Corps knowledge to
uniform wear and proper customs and courtesies are taught every day. Moreover, the
students are at a civilian university, so much guidance is provided on time management,
class scheduling, and general tips on student life. It is an intense week, intended to inte-
grate the freshmen into their new role as members of the student Battalion and the Unit-
ed States Navy and Marine Corps.
The first day of NSO week begins as soon as new midshipmen arrive at their respective
units and are given a presentation welcoming them to the program. Once they have been
welcomed, students say goodbye to their parents and begin their check-in and adminis-
trative paperwork. The students are issued their uniforms and gear for the week. Once
everything is accounted for, they load up in the vans head to RTC Great Lakes for the
week.
Upon arrival at RTC they are instructed to get accountability of their gear and begin their
in house procedures. Around 1715, they experience the chow hall for the first time. After
chow they are given classes that cover uniform regulations and midshipmen regulations
as well as customs and courtesies. By 2000 it time for hygiene time and prep for the next
morning. (See Outline of NSO for continuation of NSO schedule of events.)
OUTLINE OF NSO
Day 2: Reveille begins at 0445. The mid-
shipmen PT by 0515. At 0730 the midship-
men take a tour of the Battle Stations
training area where they get to witness a
real capping ceremony of enlisted sailors.
Later on that day the midshipmen are put
through a swim qualification to determine
their level of experience of being in the
water. Once they have returned from their
swim quals midshipmen are given a SAPR
training (Sexual Assault Prevention and
Response). They are also taught rank
structure and the basics of the chain of
command. They then begin their first
close order drill practice. Close order drill
the most basic leadership-follower rela-
tionship that teaches both the importance
of knowing how to lead and knowing when
to follow.
Day 3: The midshipmen PT and get chow
to start the day. Their first event of the
day is seamanship training. Here the
midshipmen learn the basics of sailing like
how to tie specific knots. Then they go to
the SAMT (Small Arms Training). Here
the midshipmen learn gun safety and how
to fire a small arms weapon properly.
Once they’ve completed the SAMT train-
ing they are given classes that emphasize
the importance of fitness standards, drug
and alcohol abuse, and prevention of
hazing. They finish the day off with
another close order drill practice.
Day 4: By this time the midshipmen are
developing good habits and are displaying
proper customs and courtesies. They begin
the day with a mock PFT/PFA now that
they know what the fitness standards are.
They have another close order drill prac-
tice so that they begin to understand the
importance of discipline and attention to
detail. They spend the majority of the day
at the marina where they learn how to sail.
Learning how to sail involves classroom
time as well as hands on learning on how
to sail a small boat. The midshipmen are
given information and are required to take
a test the next day in order to have their
sailing qualifications.
Day 5: All day the midshipmen are out on
the water sailing. Once they return from
sailing they are given the opportunity to
speak with RADM Evans. Upon returning
to the living quarters the midshipmen
have a field day to clean up the area and
prepare to leave the next day.
Day 6: The midshipmen pack up all their
gear and make their way to the ACU
(Assault Craft Unit). Here the midshipmen
learn about the reserve units and go
underway on the small craft boats. To
complete NSO week they are put into
formation and are officially sworn in as
United States Navy Midshipmen. All
hands then have a BBQ and build camara-
derie so that the new midshipmen inte-
grate into the battalion.
MIDN 4/C performing a fire safety drill during the later part of NSO Week.
3
Active Duty Officer Visits
By MIDN 4/C Kyle Luciu
Captain Duncan visited the IIT NROTC unit on to share his success story as the Commander of
an SSN with the NROTC Midshipman. CAPT Duncan covered many specifics involving the
making of and career path of an Unrestricted Line Submarine officer. The initial part of his
presentation covered the different types of submarines and each of their specialties and mis-
sions. Later in his presentation, CAPT Duncan discussed the “pipeline” that a commissioned
naval officer must go through in order to officially become a nuclear submarine officer. The first
phase is Naval Nuclear Power School or NNPS where students will spend 24 weeks learning the
knowledge necessary to operate a nuclear reactor. Next students attend a 26 week hands on
learning period, on everything in submarines, called prototype. Finally students will be sent to
their different schools to learn additional advanced information on their specific submarine
class. But the work isn’t over once a submarine officer completes school, he or she will have to
manage a department of highly trained enlisted personnel for three years before obtaining their
“dolphins” or unrestricted line qualification. CAPT Duncan concluded that the submarine com-
munity is a very difficult yet rewarding community that most officers strive to someday take
command of their own submarine.
EDO: CAPT STANCY
SUBS: CAPT DUNCAN
By MIDN 3/C Kasie Braun
This past October the midshipmen at IIT and UIC had the chance to
hear about a unique opportunity for surface warfare officer selectees.
U.S. Navy Captain Stancy and a lieutenant came to discuss the duties
and perks of becoming an engineering duty officer, including exactly
how to get selected for the job. An engineering duty officer has many
unique responsibilities in areas of fleet maintenance support, acqui-
sition program management, and research and development. These
duties may include the design, acquisition, construction, repair, and
disposal of ships, submarines, aircraft carriers, and the systems on
these platforms. The captain and lieutenant explained that to be-
come an engineering duty officer after completing the NROTC pro-
gram, the midshipman must first select the surface warfare commu-
nity as his or her main choice for service selection. Once a surface
warfare officer, the young officer will opt to become an EDO
(engineering duty officer) after completing his or her warfare qualifi-
cation and, at minimum, a sea tour.
The presenters suggested that the engineering duty of-
ficer community is a small, but elite community of intelligent and
focused members. They stated that the community only makes up
about 1.5% of the active-duty commissioned officer pool. Further,
engineering duty officers have broad experiences and gain a vast
amount of technical expertise.
In order to connect to present experiences of the midshipmen as
students, the captain and lieutenant both emphasized the im-
portance of planning and having several back-up options if life
doesn’t quite work out the way one would have liked. Especially in
regard to becoming an EDO, the presenters focused on planning for
the future in order to fulfill the goals that one may have.
In all, the midshipmen enjoyed the opportunity to hear from a
unique part of the fleet and to discuss one of the many opportunities
available to them.
3 TYPES OF SUBS
In a brief rundown, these submarines
are: Fast Attack Submarines (SSNS),
Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN),
Guided Missile Submarines (SSGN).
All of these sleek submarines are
equipped with the latest and greatest
implements of stealth, surveillance,
and destructive capabilities, causing
them to be the most feared weapons
in the world. Each of the three classes
have different capabilities and there-
fore missions. Attack submarines, or
SSNS class, were constructed as ship
hunters, with powerful strike capabil-
ities SSNS are able to take out a wide
variety of targets including other
submarines. The silent defenders of
our nation, the SSBN were built for
the sole role of nuclear deterrence.
The elite SSBN can operate underwa-
ter for months on end while carrying
nuclear strike capabilities, therefore
it’s absolutely necessary that its crew
can operate together in any given
situation. Finally, SSGN, Ohio class,
or “Boomers” are the most potent of
the three classes of submarines, they
can carry a payload of over 150 nucle-
ar capable tomahawk missiles allow-
ing an attack at great range on multi-
ple targets.
4
LCS SHIPYARD VISIT
By MIDN 2/C Ignatiy Orlovskiy
A group of IIT, NU, and Loyola Midshipmen recently went to visit the small town of Marinette, Wisconsin. It is home to the Freedom
Class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), where 3 have already been built and 9 more are on the way.
The LCS platform is designed to operate in shallow waters for mainly the purpose of counterpiracy and counternarcotics missions.
There are several factors that make the LCS class unique: they are designed to work with mission modules; they have a very reduced
crew compared to other US Navy vessels; they sail at about 50 knots; they are designed to operate alone, but could possibly be part of
a group of LCS ships.
One of the design concepts of the LCS class was to be able to completely change mission type in a matter of two days. To facilitate
this, the ship has a cavity that fits a mission package, and this package can be interchanged with moderate ease. Packages include
surface warfare (where a 5 inch gun is loaded into the module bay and a RHIB is loaded into the aft), counter mine warfare, and
others. Even housing and additional computers are modular; a box resembling a freight container with housing to accommodate five
can be added when additional contractors or sailors are needed for a particular mission type.
The reduced crew is due to the size of the vessel. Some departments have only 3 sailors (compared to 60 or so on a Destroyer). The
engine bay, for example, has no watchstander – there are CCTV cameras and sensor arrays to monitor the space for fires or hazards.
A sailor only goes into the space when necessary. Cuts such as these mean sailors have many more collateral duties on the LCS class
compared to other surface ships. This leads to a very fast advancement rate, although making Chief tends to be difficult because the
achievements are hard to quantify on paper.
The incredible speed of almost 50 knots is due to the ship being designed almost as a giant jet ski. In the Freedom class, two of the
four engines have the ability to direct their thrust in any direction, giving the vessel the ability to dock or pull off complex maneuvers
without the assistance of tug boats. When why the pain job on a recently completed LCS ship looks incomplete (the entire super-
structure was unpainted), the site director explained that by deciding not to pain the superstructure, 4 tons of weight are saved. It is
through these kinds of cuts to the weight that the vessel is able to reach such speeds.
The bridge also suffers from personnel cuts. The Helmsman and Lee Helmsman positions were completely eliminated, for example.
The Officer of the Deck himself goes and adjusts the speed and direction of the rotors at the control panel (which looks like the throt-
tle of an airplane, but also rotates from side to side).
One of the completed ships will undergo shock testing in the following months. This entails conducting controlled explo-
sions at distances from the vessel with the crew on board in order to observe how the structure handles the shock wave stress.
The future is looking bright for junior surface warfare officers, as the LCS platform is proving to be a challenging but
lucrative career option.
The group that ventured off to Marinette, and some sights from the LCS Shipyard.
5
CLASS OF 2016
The graduating, class
of 2016 1/C
midshipmen walked
under the sword arch
with their dates:
From Northwestern
University’s unit
were MIDN 1/C Han-
nah Brachfeld,
USNR, MIDN 1/C
Ethan Ernst,
USNR, and Midn
1/C Craig Sabath,
USMC.
From Illinois Insti-
tute of Technology’s
unit were Midn 1/C
Blake Manuel,
USMC and MIDN
1/C Watts, USNR.
We wish the Class of
2018 the best in all
they do. They will
surely become able,
inspiring leaders of
our beloved U.S.
Navy and Marine
Corps!
NAVY & MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALL
By MIDN 3/C Genelle Arandia
The ballroom held a quiet, professional re-
serve embedded within its obvious sophisti-
cation. Lit in a soft yellow glow, midship-
men, officers, and enlisted alike, quite dapper
in their SDBs, entered the ballroom with
their equally elegant dates: They were seated
according to designated name cards in round
tables covered in richly blue cloth spread
around the room, and engaged in excited
chatter about the annual NROTC Chicago
Consortium event that was about to unfold.
The venue was beautiful, the honored guest
was well-accomplished and highly admired,
and both Chicago NROTC units were joined
together for a night of heritage, camaraderie,
honor, and celebration marking the 240th
birthdays of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
The U.S. NROTC Chicago Area units held the
annual Navy and Marine Corps Birthday Ball
on Friday, November 6th, 2015, and was
organized by MIDN 2/C Orlovskiy. The
Guest of Honor was greatly decorated Major
General Melvin, G. Spiese, USMC. Major
General Spiese commissioned via the NROTC
program at University of Illinois, Urbana-
Champaign, and during his lauded military
career served as the Marine Officer Instruc-
tor at the IIT NROTC unit. At the height of
his military career, Major General Spiese was
assigned as Deputy Commanding General, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, and Command-
ing General, I Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
Following the reception, the sounding of
Adjutant’s Call began the customary schedule
of events, beginning with the invocation and
sword escort leading to the procession of this
year’s graduating seniors. After the senior
procession was the arrival of the Midshipman
Battalion Commanders and, most notably,
the arrival of the Guest of Honor, Major
General Melvin, G. Spiese, USMC, followed
by the Commanding Officer, Captain Thomas
P. Brasek, USN.
The posting of the colors proceeded under
the narration of Midn 4/C Nicholas Busalac-
chi, and afterwards followed the POW/MIA
Table and Honors Ceremony narrated by
MIDN 1/C Leana Osmer. The Joint Birthday
Cake Cutting Ceremony ensued, with the
oldest and youngest members of the consor-
tium playing key roles, being Sgt Gerald Victa
and MIDN 4/C James Schuller, respectively.
Before dinner, the reading of the services
birthday messages occurred via videos from
each respective service.
After a very delectable dinner, the Com-
manding Officer’s remarks followed and then
Major General Spiese commanded everyone’s
attention with a concise, yet incredibly mov-
ing speech regarding the true impact and
importance of leadership. The night ended
as the floor opened for dancing and general
festivities.
This year’s Birthday Ball, like every year’s
before and every year’s to come, was filled
with fun, inspiration, and perhaps most
importantly of all, the honor and tradition
that makes the Navy and Marine Corps great-
ly admired and respected. It reminds every-
one who took part in such grand celebration
who we are as the Navy and Marine Corps:
The inspiring members of the past and pre-
sent, as well as the youthful, eager officers of
the future.
6
“You really push yourself to the limit of what you can do.”
By MIDN 3/C Jasmyn Maier
The annual Consortium Drill meet took place on October 24th, a day of classic roller-
coaster Chicago weather. The day began early with IIT Midshipmen gathering gear and
clearing the drill deck. After a customary opening speech from the unit staff, this time
from Commander Holihan, and a brief from MIDN 2/c Adelman, IIT’s color guard team
performed with MIDN 3/c Newberry commanding, while Gunnery Sergeant Williams and
Master Sergeant Hughes began judging. Following IIT’s performance was Northwestern
University’s color guard team, commanded by MIDN 1/c Ernst.
Next up were the drill teams. First to go was NU, commanded by MIDN 3/c
Palamountain. After, MIDN 2/c Adelman commanded IIT’s drill team around the drill
deck. MIDN 4/c Hunt, a member of the drill team described his first drill meet as “a ton
of fun.” He said, “I was nervous, but getting to compete against our fellow Midshipmen
was a lot of fun. My favorite part was the E-team race, where you really had to push your-
self to the limit of what you could do.”
After a quick downpour of rain, the Endurance Race began with the KIM game (a
memory game that marks the beginning and end of the endurance race). The endurance
race was approximately 5.2 miles, with nine events, including pull ups, relays of bear
crawls, crab walks, wheel barrels, 100 team sit ups, 100 flutter kicks, and stretcher carry,
250 yard ammo can carry, 200 burpees, 400 ammo can lifts, firemen carry, and finally, at
the end, a 75m tire flipping race. To wrap it all up, E-teams finished the KIM game by
trying to recall items they viewed at the beginning of the race.
At the end of the drill meet, midshipmen and unit staff changed into civilian
attire and had lunch in the IIT Bog while XO announced the results of each competition
and overall victor of the IIT Drill Competition. IIT’s color guard came in first, drill team
came in second, and E-team 1 came in first. In all, IIT won the Consortium meet, and
Midn 1/C Manuel accepted the trophy.
CHICAGO CONSORTIUM DRILL MEET
7
SULE LAB
By Midn 4/C Nicholas Busalacchi
On 17 Nov 2015, we held our IIT/UIC NROTC SULE lab. The
small unit leadership exercise is a small group interactive activi-
ty intended to build leadership skills, evaluate peers, grow cama-
raderie within the unit, and gain valuable team working experi-
ence. Led by Midn 4/C Busalacchi and organized by the battal-
ion operations officer, Midn 2/C Frank, the SULE lab was a
great way to kick off the battalion activities for the fall semester
following new student orientation week.
Thankfully, the weather turned out for us and we
were able to complete all four of the lab stations we prepared
for. Each station had a 10 minute time guideline: one minute for
strategizing, eight minutes for completing the task at hand, and
one minute at the end for the station evaluators – consisting
primarily of MIDN staff – to de-brief the groups on how well
they did, and in what areas they could improve. At the end of the
10 minute cycles, each group had to hit the pull up bars and
every MIDN completed a max set of pull ups. Small unit leader-
ship and physical fitness, a winning combination. For each sta-
tion, groups had to switch who was their lead MIDN, giving all
members a chance to be evaluated on leadership and teamwork.
We kicked the lab off by getting into boots-and-utes after the
brief and splitting into small groups. The first station was called
gutter ball: MIDN had to get as many ping pong balls from one
bucket to another, standing in a line side by side, using only note
cards and their short minute of planning to complete the objec-
tive. The station proved to be quite easy, so midway through the
first group’s attempt, MOI Capt Cartica ordered that MIDN
complete 20 push-ups for every 20 balls transferred. Again,
adding the crucial and essential factor of physical fitness. In the
end, the station was a great example of the importance of effi-
ciency within a small sized group to prudence maximum results.
After gutter ball, MIDN maxed out their pull ups and headed to
landmines. The most technical station of the four, landmines
utilized a 20sqft area, littered with landmines (Gatorade bottles)
left and right, front and back. In this station, one MIDN would
stand blindfolded on one side of the minefield, and one other
MIDN – the group’s lead MIDN - would stand alongside and
direct the blindfolded MIDN verbally to the other side without
stepping on a mine. Landmines was host to many trials, tribula-
tions, and laughs, and in the end had the least number of groups
to complete the objective than any other station. It was a great
way for MIDN to be put at a disadvantage and learn to adapt
and overcome.
The difficulties of landmines was near paralleled with station
three, the shrinking blanket. At the shrinking blanket, MIDN
were tasked with their entire team keeping two feet firmly plant-
ed on the blanket for 15 seconds at a time, broken up by folding
the blanket in half. This proved great for MIDN of all sizes, as
the larger MIDN acted as immoveable objects for the smaller
MIDN to take hold of and stay on the blanket, consistently halv-
ing in size. The shrinking blanket showed MIDN how to utilize
all members of the group to the best of their abilities while stay-
ing as time a spatially efficient as possible.
Lastly, the station combining all traits of leadership, teamwork,
physical fitness and strategization, was islands. Islands was the
largest scale station consisting of three islands of different shape
and size, and two narrow wooden planks for transport. MIDN
had to get their entire team from one island to another, showing
complete control at each stop. Some groups went to the lengths
of removing their boots to reduce consumption of surface area
and more effectively assemble onto the islands. In the end, the
group with the most trips from island one to three had some
serious bragging rights.
In the end, the lab was a very successful activity, bringing MIDN
together in adverse situations to complete the end objective of
winning the greatest amount of stations, and gain some valuable
and necessary knowledge that will lead to prepared and engaged
officers out in the fleet.
8
By MIDN 4/C Michael Garcia
On November 3rd, 2015, the midshipmen of IIT/UIC NROTC unit conducted an endur-
ance lab. The goal of the endurance lab was for Midshipman to receive additional physical
training during lab time while also challenging and building their teamwork skills in a
physical and stressful environment as well as promote and practice leadership within the
two teams competing against each other.
The endurance lab kicked off at 0830 and did not conclude until 0930. It was held in the
Keating field of the IIT campus. The lab consisted of two teams racing against each other
in the three stations. Throughout the exercise, the teams were timed and also observed to
ensure that rules were followed while completing each station.
Station One was a tire flip in which two tires, one for each team, were flipped a distance
of 75 meters by the entire team. Every 75 meters, the midshipman team would receive a
point and would begin to flip the tire back to score another point. The midshipman team
with the most points after ten minutes would win the event. Team one suffered a casualty
when the tire was flipped and fell on team members leg. After the swift action of lifting
the tire off the injured midshipman and attending to their downed teammate, Team one
continued on with the event, with another midshipman stepping in as their replacement.
After team two won the event, both teams hydrated and continued to the next station.
Station Two was an Indian run around the Keating track. The two teams scored points
each lap ran doing Indian runs while staying together. They were given ten minutes to
complete as many laps possible. Each Midshipman was required to carry one of the two
ammo cans, one jug of water, and one backpack. While running, Midshipman worked
together by communicating and trading off each item. Team one won this event and both
teams hydrated and continued to the final station.
The endurance lab concluded with Station Three which was a circuit that both teams ran
through at the same time. It was a relay style event in which both teams sent one Mid-
shipman at a time and could not send the next Midshipman until they completed the
course. The first team with every Midshipman having completed the course would win.
Team one finished first, winning the event and the endurance lab. After hydrating and an
afterword from the observing Unit staff members, the endurance lab was concluded at
0930.
The endurance lab was a great experience for Midshipman to build camaraderie and test
their physical and mental strength while competing in a stressful environment. By moti-
vating and working together with their teammates, both teams successfully completed
each station and excelled in taking this opportunity to improve their physical and mental
readiness.
ENDURANCE LAB
9
________________
________________
________________
PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE
IIT NROTC
3300 S. Federal Street Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (312) 567-8963
E-mail: [email protected]