Spring Leadership Development Exercise (SLDX)
C Company cadets traveled to Ft. McCoy for a 3 day long field exercise to apply what they have learned in ROTC and expand on that knowledge with many classes and practical exercises. One of many classes they received was the first aid class taught by CDT Gorski. Cadets were taught the basics of evaluating, treating, and transporting that casualty. Incorporated into their training were principles of circulation, airway obstruction, and immobilizing fractured limbs. They were able to put their hands on and use many high quality materials for treating a wounded soldier. The cadets also were forced to put themselves into a scenario where they must successfully report all injuries present and call for Medevac support.
One of the events that were done at the SLDX was a six-mile road march. The road march was meant to test the cadet’s physical endurance and to build cohesion among the cadets from the different universities. The route for this six-mile road march was done around the whole cantonment of Fort McCoy. The cadets displayed great physical endurance throughout the road march by staying motivated and encouraging their fellow cadets to finish the road march. There were no fall-outs during the road march, which also displayed the cadet’s physical endurance throughout the entire road march.
Cadets from all across Badger Battalion were also able to participate in the making of a rope bridge. In this section of training cadets were able to learn different self-tied rope harnesses such as the Australian Seat and Swiss seat. Cadets were also able to get hands on training on the numerous knots that compose the one-rope bridge. This training gave cadets a broad introduction to the key component parts and positions to this one-rope bridge. This was an important focus during the ranger challenge portion of this year’s Spring LDX.
Cadet Perdue using the SINCGARS Radio in the TOC