More than just firearms
More than just firearms
Combatives
When cadets attend Field Training, they are trained to fight with a weapon that is concealed, yet it is seen at all times: their own body. During that training experience, cadets go through numerous hours of instruction and practice in the art of ground combatives. While the training is elementary in nature, it tests cadets physically, mentally and emotionally.
Subsequently, a few cadets are specially selected for the opportunity to return to Field Training as an instructor, called a Combatives Cadet Training Assistant (CTA).
One of the most challenging experiences of your life
During the summer after your sophomore year, you will participate in Field Training. This rigorous program involves physical conditioning, weapons training and survival training. But more than that, Field Training is your opportunity to develop your skills as both a leader and team member.
Field Training is required for all cadets who seek membership in the Professional Officer Course (POC) and is the only summer event that AFROTC requires cadets to attend.
Some activities during Field Training include:
- Physical conditioning
- Marksmanship training
- Survival training
- Air Force specialty orientation
- Confidence course
- Aircraft and crew orientation
- Human relations
- Drill and ceremonies
- Leadership study
- Group and expeditionary leadership activities
Firearms familiarization
Also at Field Training, cadets have the opportunity for weapons training with Air Force small arms weapons such as pistols and rifles. Along with that familiarization comes instruction in small-group urban assault tactics through staged scenarios.
Cadet Inkrott shares his experience as a Combatives CTA
By: Cadet James Inkrott, Class of 2012
Although the system may have changed from my experience, I attended a two-week combatives training course at Maxwell AFB during the summer of 2011. The first four days consisted of the trainee portion where our class of fifteen cadets and a few Active Duty Airmen learned several sequences of standing and ground combat drills and how to teach them. At eight hours per day, these four days were undeniably the most physically demanding portion of the training experience. We woke up each morning at 0600 feeling like someone had taken a baseball bat to our entire bodies only to endure the same beating we had taken the day before. However, our instructors had no pity for us and we were learning a lot of information at a fast pace, so there was little room for complaints. At the end of the week, we took a final test in front of the senior instructors in order to demonstrate that we were competent in performing and instructing the drills we had learned. Afterward, we were awarded our black instructor shirts and certificates of training for completing the U.S. Air Force Module I Combatives course. Over the weekend, we performed other duties required for Field Training, such as instructing cadets in obstacle courses.
The second week consisted of the trainer portion of the course where the cadet instructors taught Field Training cadets a portion of the combat drills that they learned the week before. Although these four days were not nearly as physically rigorous, they were much longer and less flexible due to the strict time schedule that cycled about 400 cadets through the program. During this phase, days began at 0400 at Maxwell’s artificial field that we lovingly called, “the Dojo.” Instructors were split into groups of five and we would teach multiple rotations of flights throughout the day. We usually finished around 1700. There was usually a decent amount of free time, most of which was spent sleeping and watching movies. We were too tired to do anything else.
Although it is unlikely that a majority of Airmen will ever be in a situation where they will need to utilize ground-fighting maneuvers, the training helps to develop a sense of mental toughness and confidence that is applicable to any career in the Air Force and life in general. Moreover, good leaders know how to direct their people, but great leaders know how to make more leaders. Through this experience, I further developed my ability to teach others what I know, which is an essential skill in developing the leadership ability of other airmen. This professional development has played a significantly positive role in my mentality as a cadet that will eventually carry over to my profession as an officer. I highly recommend this opportunity to anyone who may be interested, but I warn you that it is not easy. However, once you finish, I think you will agree with me that the rewards are worth the discomfort.