ASCC ROTC Cadets Practice Survival Skills in Field Training

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The young men and women cadets of the ROTC program at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) braved this past weekend’s inclement weather to hone their combat scenario skills during a Field Training Exercise (FTX) from December 1st through 3rd. Under the command of CPT Filimataisina M. Vaiau and SFC Kitzingen B. Moliga, 100 cadets utilized both the ASCC campus and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) compound in Tafuna as staging areas for the three-day exercise.

“Through the FTX, we prepare cadets for the next higher class as they transition to a four-year university after ASCC,” explained CPT Vaiau. “In this extended lab training they are evaluated by a Leadership Development Program, a tool used in the ROTC realm to evaluate their leadership roles on character, presence, intellectual capacity and core leader competencies.” Each cadet in the program is ranked by MS I (first year) or MS II (second year). MS II cadets are placed in higher positions either as staff or platoon positions.

Components of the FTX included Day/ Night Land Navigation, Squad Tactical Lanes (Battle Drills), Weapons Familiarization, Nine-Line Medevac, and a Ruck March from ASCC to the FAA. Day 1 began on the ASCC campus with the issuance of operations orders for and the breakdown of the cadets into companies and squads. Day 2 began with a 4:30 a.m. deployment from ASCC to the FAA field, where simulated combat conditions took place to test the cadets’ decision making in different scenarios. At the FAA site, nine squads rotated activities on the hour and the training proceeded without interruption even as the weather made conditions increasingly uncomfortable. Day 3 consisted of a breakdown and cleanup of the FAA training site.

SFC Moliga and CPT Vaiau modeled their format on an earlier FTX held by the ROTC at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, which SFC Moliga took part in. They also received crucial assistance from the local Army Reserve. “Soldiers from the 442nd 100th BN B and C Company assisted us by acting as cadres,” said CPT Vaiau. “With their experience in ROTC training and cadet evaluation, each cadre instructed, evaluated, and counseled their respective squad as they rotated activities by the hour.” CPT Vaiau credited Reservists SSG Hirata, SSG Leasiolagi, SGT Polu, SGT Nohira, SGT Tima, SGT Sete, SGT Solaita, SPC Alvarado, SPC Titania, SPC Viena, SPC Malae and SPC Talamoni for performing at the highest standards of military professionalism during the FTX.

In the midst of the rigorous schedule, the trainees were allowed a period of daily “family time” when each cadet’s family members could visit the training site to offer encouragement and see how their son or daughter was holding up. Despite the weather, the cadets all completed the exercise without falling prey to any injury or illness. “FTX was the most memorable and learning experience that a student could ever go through,” reflected Cadet Jennifer Rebelukag. “It was hard, yet fun, exhausting yet exhilarating, but in the end, it had made us become closer as a unit, as a company, and most of all as a family. As we say, ‘One heart, one fight.’ We are one team!”

Herself an ASCC graduate, CPT Vaiau expressed optimism at the progress of ROTC at the College. “The program continues to grow and we have potential cadets that will one day make great officers and leaders in the community,” she said. “American Samoa students from ASCC currently make up 10 percent of the UH Manoa Warrior Battalion. Here at home, 22 cadets will be graduating this semester and transferring to a four year university. We have eight candidates awaiting approval for ROTC scholarships. In the nearest future we hope to involve the JROTC cadets in the high schools in the FTX, and implement a mentorship program to our local high school cadets.”

On behalf of the entire program, CPT Vaiau expressed her gratitude to the staff of ASCC, especially Mr. Misi Tauai and his security staff, Installation Commander MAJ Rodney Parker, 100th BN B Co Commander CPT Tuliloa Tuliloa, 100th BN C Co Commander CPT Blake Byars, JROTC HQ Mr. Mapu Jamias, 411th EN Commander CPT Puletasi Wong-Mageo and especially to the families of the cadets.

The ASCC ROTC is under the UH Manoa Warrior Battalion, and its mission is to recruit, retain and commission future officers in the United States Army, Army Reserves and Army National Guard. For more information on the program, contact CPT Vaiau or SFC Moliga at 699-8820.

By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer

ENDS

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