Direction from 824th

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. –Tech. Sgt. Brian Rodney, 824th Security Forces squad leader, informs ROTC cadets on the types of exercises security forces is going to be walking them through here Nov.14. The 824th Security Forces volunteered their time during the weekend to work with Valdosta State University ROTC cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Joshua Green)

Listen up cadets

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- After a night time exercise, Cadet Jason Kitchen, Valdosta State University ROTC cadet, briefs fellow cadets on their actions during a deployment scenario here Nov.14. Cadet Kitchen is a prior service crew chief from the 723rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Moody AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Joshua Green)

Night vision

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Capt. Paul McArtor, Commandant of Cadets, explains to Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets the purpose of their exercise here Nov.14. The cadets from Valdosta State University ROTC spent two days at the Grand Bay Range participating in a real world deployment exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Joshua Green)

Local ROTC cadets participate in warrior weekend

Published Nov. 17, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Spencer Gallien
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Local area cadets participated in a detachment exercise Nov. 14 to 16 at Grand Bay Range here where they learned team building, leadership and combat skills.

More than 90 cadets from Valdosta State University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Georgia Military College took part in the warrior weekend event.

The cadets were divided into two squads, a friendly competition between the upperclassman versus the underclassman. Events during the weekend included paintball war scenarios, as well as sniper and protest scenarios.

Members from the 820th Security Forces Group volunteered to assist with the training and provided the cadets with guidance and support during the event.

"We really just wanted to show our support to our future leaders," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Rodney, 824th Security Forces Squadron squad leader. "This was also an opportunity for us to give back to the local community that supports us so much."

Staff Sgt. Randy Adams, 824th SFS member, along with Sergeant Rodney assisted the cadets during the events, providing the younger cadets with helpful tips while competing against their older counterparts.

The security forces members who came out to assist during the weekend warrior event really helped the cadets learn useful tips and helped them apply that information during the training, said Capt. Paul McArtor, the commandant of cadets.

As scenarios and training continued throughout the weekend, cadets attended briefings which include entry control point and challenging procedures, team tactics and movements, as well as self aid buddy care.

"The 820th really set us up for success," said Cadet Jason Kitchen, a former 723rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief and organizer of this year's warrior week exercise.

Moody AFB and especially the 820th SFG have been fantastic, said Cadet Kitchens, we're extremely lucky to have a base like Moody right by campus, not many cadets get to see active duty the way we do.

Because of the program's success, involvement and participation have significantly increased.

"We've seen the program go from 30 to 40 participants to more than 100," said Captain McArtor.

The program's success can be attributed to the partnership between the cadets, leadership and Moody personnel, added the captain.