Cadet Leader Reflective Essay

The 2015 Cadet Leader Course challenged and changed numerous ROTC cadets. Throughout my time in the University of Arkansas ROTC Program, myself and fellow cadets trained for this anticipated event. CLC was the notorious contender we would face at the end of their junior year. The on-campus training we received helped us face numerous challenges. My expectations for CLC varied tremendously. My varied expectations were the result of not knowing the exact format of the new CLC. The class of 2015 faced an entirely different CLC than seniors before us. Cadet Command implemented several new changes. We were not sure what we would be facing. At first, it was difficult to acclimate to the new changes. I believe my classmates and I were slightly baffled. Up until the beginning of our junior year, we had been training for the old ways of summer training. Confusion ensued when Cadre were constantly giving us updates about …show more content…
However, this was most interaction I have experience with OPFOR. During the school year, we rarely practiced communicating with them. Whether it be hostage negotiation or interacting with “villagers” during a mission, learning to relate with various personnel is important at CLC. Surely on campus, we could work more on this matter. We can have the MS4s and Cadre act as OPFOR, but not just as hostile force ready to engage the cadets during a mission. We could set up situations where MS3s would interact with varying types of people and cultural situations. Weapons experience and knowledge is another area of training we can improve. During CLC, my platoon had the weapons squad continuously switch among squads. During one rotation, I carried the M249. This was first time I experienced carrying and using this weapon. If we expose the MS3’s to more weapons knowledge, it would be a good idea. We can accomplish this by having several classes over the different weapon