Georgia Tech Softball, Army ROTC Conduct Leadership Training at Fort Benning

Georgia Tech softball players train with Georgia Tech ROTC cadets at Fort Benning.

On September 24, the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (Army ROTC) Stinger Battalion invited the Georgia Tech softball team for a day of leadership and team building exercises.

The main focus of the Army ROTC is to develop future leaders through discipline and training events. The Yellow Jackets softball team, along with a few battalion cadets, split into teams to tackle two different training events: the Field Leaders Response Course (FLRC) and the Speed ​​Course.

The day began with a brief explanation of the leadership values ​​in the Army and how the teams will be evaluated during the first event. Next, the teams split up to start the FLRC. Each team navigates mission obstacles that require quick thinking and teamwork. For each iteration, a different team leader was in charge. The obstacles ranged from tricking victims through gaps to makeshift bridges to delivering loads. Each iteration is graded by the program’s top cadet.

“It was great working with the Tech softball team and sharing leadership knowledge with them,” said Cadet J. Flute, who assisted the participants during practice. “One of the best skills you can get from the military is how to lead a team of peers and I felt like I had to come full circle to share what I’ve spent three years learning and developing.

In the speed course, the teams put their teamwork and leadership skills to the test in a fast-paced, endurance-based challenge. The course featured obstacles that required the teams to maintain integrity and encourage their teammates to climb, crawl and run. The course required the teams to first memorize a puzzle and finally reproduce it, after pushing their physical limits to test their mental prowess.

Following the speed course, the cadets and team members returned together to observe the United States Army Marksmanship Unit’s skirmish and trap shooting. In addition to an entertaining and informative presentation, two Olympic athlete-soldiers spoke about their experiences, techniques to achieve their goals and build resilience.

“I think we learned a lot about each other and our communication and teamwork styles,” said Yellow Jackets engineer Megan Cassidy.

The opportunity to develop leadership skills and teamwork was invaluable, and the team embraced the spirit of the Army to push through difficult situations and excel in stressful environments.

“I’m glad we all came together as a team for this opportunity,” said reporter Emma Cuff. “It was great working with the cadets and meeting a lot of new people.”