I lnUn->lAV' A, <-If, >AU I = JA--UUDNES FPE HCHS Air Force JROTC attends Cadet Officer Leadership School By MSgt Scott Griggs Nine Cadets from Hamil- ton County High School (HCHS) AFROTC FL- 938 attended the prestigious Cadet Officer Leadership School (COLS) in June at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. The Citadel is a national- ly recognized university, with a long tradition of de- veloping outstanding lead- ers for our country. The Citadel was established by the South Carolina Legisla- ture in 1842, and many of its alumni have distin- guished themselves in poli- tics, community service and the military profession. Air Force JROTC units from S.C. organize and con- duct the week long COLS. There were 248 cadets from 23 schools representing eight states in attendance. HCHS Cadets attending were Lafaye Alexander, Jimmy Hamilton, Shadesia Francis, Edmund Mitchell, Geralyn Bristol, Kris Miller, Kyle Altmix, Brian Buonvi- no and Jahquan Ingram. HCHS AFJROTC instruc- tors Lt. Col. Darrell Davis and I were assigned duties as Flight Advisors. JROTC Cadets experi- enced a program designed to bring out the best of each Cadet in three major areas: Physical Fitness, Drill and Ceremony, and Academics. The day started at 0530 hours with Reveille, physi- cal training (PT) and a one mile run. Drill and Ceremo- ny instruction culminated in Flight Drill Evaluation and a formal military pa- rade called a Pass In Re- view. Classroom presenta- tions were evaluated with a final exam of 50 questions. In addition to all of this, Cadets were evaluated dai- ly on dress and appearance with uniform and room in- spections. Teamwork is the only tool available if each cadet and their assigned flight are to be successful. Very few kids were assigned to flights with students from their own units. This meant that the kids had to learn very quickly how to work together if they were to be successful as an individual and as a flight. "This is just the type of environment we wanted for our kids," said Lt. Col. Darrell Davis. "Being re- sponsible for your actions and their impact on the group is a very important lesson for them to learn, both MSgt Griggs and I are very proud of our Cadets. We are looking forward to returning to COLS next year." Cadet Lafaye Alexander earned the Leadership Rib- bon and the Co-Curricular Activities Leadership Rib- bon for her accomplish- ments as Commander, "A" Flight. Excellence in the Drill Evaluation earned Cadet Jimmy Hamilton the AFJROTC Drill Competi- tion Ribbon. Attention to detail garnered Cadet Ed- mund Mitchell a score in the top 10% on his personal inspection earning him the AFJROTC Superior Perfor- mance Ribbon. -'.- .<-. [ ti Cadets attending Cadet Officer Leadership School (COLS) at the Citadel. Back Row (L to R) Jahquan Ingram, Kyle Altmix, Lafaye Alexander, Kris Miller, Bryan Buonvino, Edmund Mitchell, Lt. Col. Davis. Front Row (L to R) Geralyn Bristol, Shadesia Fran- cis, Jimmy Hamilton -A.. Cadet Lafaye mander "m Cadet Edmund Mitchell in formation for uniform inspection Cadet Kris Miller paying close attention to commands dur- ing flight drill practice Cadet Jimmy Hamilton trying on pilot survival gear, helmet and night vision goggles eaode4 camme~a!4^ Cadet Kyle Altmix on the drill pad preparing to drill the flight Cadet Kris Miller I did not know what to think of the chal- lenges that awaited me at COLS. The Citadel was intimidating at first. I followed the ad- vice of Sgt. Griggs and Col. Davis and lis- tened very closely to the instructions from our flight leader. After the first day it wasn't so bad. By the end of the week I did not want to come Cadet I home. This leader- . ship school was a great experience for me. Cadet Lafaye Alexander What I experienced at the Citadel was nothing compared to last year as a basic cadet. I discovered being a cadet is a lot more work. It's very intense work but worth it. I learned a lot about group lead- ership. I personally would tell students that if they want Kyle. Altmix 'T IMy experience at me LICtaael was interesting. mere we learned about many' skills that will help us in the years to come, not only in the military, but in all sorts of jobs. We learned about responsibility, being trust- worthy, respect, and many other things that everyone needs. It was a experience that I will not forget. to work hard to get ahead to con- sider joining AFJROTC so they could experience what I did. Cadet Bryan Buonvino When MSgt. Griggs and Lt. Col. Davis asked me to go to COLS at the Citadel I said "sure, why not." I like to try new things and challenges. When we got there, the first day was not so bad and I thought it would be a piece of cake. Boy, was I wrong when the second day we woke up at 5:30 a.m. It was the hardest time of my experience there but I learned an im- portant lesson; never underestimate things. It looked easy the first day but we were on our feet 17 hours a day marching, doing physical training, inspections, and much more. But everybody got through it. This experience was very good, it made me push myself to the point that says I can do anything as long as I believe I can. I also learned that big things come with big responsibilities. It was a great learning experience. < a Jn b d' Cadet Jahquan Ingram taking a break during drill practice Cadet Geralyn Bristol standing ready for flight drill practice Alexander, "A" Flight Com- Cadet Shadesia Francis in formation 'for uniform inspection , 2 'I d '- PAGE 5B THE JASPER NEWS, Jasper, FL T141 ip-qnAY At Irnt IST 4 200.5 < L , K r - k1lo"