Challenging the leader

Soldiers Magazine, Dec, 2004 by D. Keith Johnson

SEVERAL Reserve officers recently had an opportunity to challenge themselves and at the same time prepare for a prestigious military competition at the U.S. Armed Forces Professional Development and Military Skills Training Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

During the first two weeks of training, they perfected their skills in land- and water-confidence courses: land navigation; rifle and pistol marksmanship; grenade throwing; and combat first aid. Other instruction focused on the laws of war, fitness and nutrition, and mental conditioning.

"This program is a perfect combination of physical and mental conditioning," said CPT Scott Klawon, an infantry officer from Grand Rapids, Mich. Klawon had originally planned to be a marksmanship instructor at the camp. After arriving, he was persuaded to attend as a competitor.

The training center is staffed by Reserve commissioned officers and NCOs from the various services, who are mobilized each summer to conduct the training.

At the end of the two-week training camp, program officials choose U.S. pentathlon-team members to compete in CIOR, the Confederation of Reserve Officers' inter-allied sporting championship, which is similar to the Olympics.

"For most on the team this is a one-shot deal, and the only competition they'll do with CIOR," said LTC Bob Thompson, who heads CIOR training. "We at the camp think of CIOR as being similar to the Best Ranger competition. These are Soldiers who train in their spare time to compete in a tough, world-class competition as an additional duty."

During the third week the officers were tested in five events: land- and water-obstacle courses; rifle and pistol marksmanship; and a 10- to 15-kilometer land-orienteering course.

"The extraordinary people who come to our training camps call it a life-changing experience. Our competitors are challenged in ways unfamiliar to them," said Thompson. "CIOR challenges officers mentally, physically and emotionally, and in extreme ways."

"I've been in the Army 15 years, and this is by far the best military training I've ever received," said CPT Larry Gnewuch of the 84th Division, who attended the camp for the first time.

The only two Army National Guard officers in this particular rotation said they were enticed to undergo the training based on the good things they'd heard about it.

"This is an amazing program; it really is a great opportunity," said Oregon National Guard 2LT Sean Nixon, a first-time competitor.

The overall program received accolades from all of the participants, but the marksmanship and land navigation portions were especially praised.

"They recruited the best shooters in the country for this," said Gnewuch.

All of the marksmanship instructors are military competition shooters, and almost all are members of the U.S. Army Reserve Shooting Team. Four out of five of the rifle instructors wear "President's One Hundred" tabs. The coveted tab is awarded to the top 100 competitors in the President's Rifle (for pistol) Match. This match is the first of the national trophy matches held each year at Camp Perry, Ohio.

"This is one of the few military athletic events that increases a Soldier's chance that he'll hit his target in a combat situation." said marksmanship instructor CSM Neal Dickey of the 100th Div.'s 8th Brigade.

"The officers leave here as better leaders and take new and important military skills back to their units. The skills we teach are timeless, and are used every day in the war on terrorism," Thompson said

Thompson said that the camp has also provided training for deploying Soldiers from U.S. Fifth Army and the 1st Cavalry Div.

Interested in Participating CIOR?

ANYONE interested in participating in the military skills training camp should start by visiting the CIOR Web site, www.uscior.army.mil.

Once a Soldier determines he'd like to participate, he should fax or mail a "letter of intent to compete," which is available at the Web site, to CIOR headquarters at Fort Sam Houston and to the CIOR project officer.

The project officers are listed on the Web site, in the point-of-contact section. The letter of intent is used tot planning purposes and allows the CIOR staff to keep in touch with potential contestants.

The second step is the application, which is not due until April 15 of the year in which the applicant wishes to participate.

Numerous staff and cadre positions are also available, ranging from medics to administrative and logistics personnel. To review the program's job descriptions, go to its Web site, then complete and fax or mail a staff application to the CIOR headquarters.

Applications are due by April 15 of the year in which you want to participate. However, program staffers recommend that you apply as soon as possible, because positions tend to fill quickly.

MSG D. Keith Johnson is the public affairs officer for the U.S. Armed Forces Professional Development and Military Skills Training Center.