IIT NROTC Unit Fall 2015 Volume 1, Issue 1

The Crow’s Nest II

MESSAGE FROM THE CO: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE After 28 years of service at 13 different commands, this is definitely the best job in the Navy. I am humbled by the privilege in helping to prepare you, our future leaders in the Navy and Marine Corps, in the Profession of Arms. There is not a more dedicated, uniquely talented team of midshipmen at any of the 63 other NROTC units/consortia and USNA -- because they’re all here in the NROTC Chicago Consortium -- especially at IIT and UIC!

In August, we welcomed the five new fourth-class midshipmen into the unit during New Student Orientation at the Navy’s Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes. It was there that our upper-class midshipmen staff launched their leadership skills into action by conducting small arms familiarization, sailing and swim qualifications, close order drill, marching, military indoctrination and many, many PT sessions. You interfaced regularly with your Fleet counterparts and observed a “capping ceremony” in which the enlistees make that emotional transition from “Recruit” to “Sailor” towards the end of boot camp.

In October, we held the Chicago Consortium drill competition with Northwestern and Loyola universities this quarter, and the IIT/UIC team won both the Color Guard and INSIDE THIS ISSUE Endurance Team competitions. These were resounding successes and came close to NSO Week ...... 3 breaking some team records! CAPT Stancy ...... 4 We held our Fall Military Ball at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago. Retired USMC CAPT Duncan ...... 4 Major General Mel Spiese, the IIT Marine Officer Instructor from 1983-1986, was our guest of honor. The General’s experiences as a NROTC graduate and young Marine of- LCS Shipyard ...... 5 ficer resonated clearly with all of you, not just the MECEPs and Marine Options in the Birthday Ball ...... 6 crowd. IIT Drill Competition ...... 7 The door is always open to our IIT/UIC NROTC alumni. If you know them, then please SULE Lab ...... 8 let me know so I can invite them back home to share their knowledge and wisdom with Endurance Lab...... 9 us.

I am proud of your achievements at school, in the unit, and out in the community. I know each and every one of you will make a very positive difference in the Fleet/Field following commissioning. Looking forward to seeing you around campus. MOI: CAPT DANIEL T. CARTICA

Captain Daniel T. Cartica, originally from pany Executive Officer with 5th Marine Pleasant Valley, NY, was commissioned Regiment. into the United States Marine Corps in Captain Cartica holds a Bachelor of Busi- March 2011 through the Officer Candidate ness Administration in Finance from Course. He is currently the Marine Officer George Washington University, MBA from Instructor/Assistant Professor of Naval Norwich University, and is currently pur- Science at the NROTC Chicago Consorti- suing an Executive Certificate in Leader- um. Captain Cartica served as the Mainte- ship from the Kellogg School of Manage- nance Management, Motor Transporta- ment, Certificate in African Studies, and tion, and Assistant Logistics Officer with also studying the Swahili language. He 1st Battalion 5th Marines in Camp Pend- teaches Evolution of Warfare and Am- leton, CA. During his time in Camp Pend- phibious Operations. leton, he deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, respectively. Captain Car- tica also served as the Headquarters Com-

New Unit Staff Biographies

CO: CAPT THOMAS P. BRASEK

Captain Tom Brasek of Medford, NJ, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1987. He is presently assigned as the Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science at the NROTC Chicago Consorti- um with staffs located Northwestern University and Illinois Institute of Technology.

Following nuclear power and warfare specialty training pipelines, Captain Brasek served in various engineering division officer jobs in USS FLYING FISH (SSN 673) and USS BAINBRIDGE (CGN 25). His next sea duty assignment was Combat Systems Officer in USS HAWES (FFG 53). Following this first department head tour, he transferred to USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) and served as Electrical Officer. Captain Brasek’s next sea tours were Executive Officer in USS LABOON (DDG 58) followed by Operations Officer in USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3) and Commanding Officer in USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44).

Ashore, Captain Brasek was the Inner Range Officer at the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Train- ing Facility in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. He served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for Naval Reactors (NAVSEA 08) in Washington, DC. He also completed a tour at the Pentagon as the lead military strategist for developing warfare planning scenarios in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Captain Brasek was assigned to Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic as Officer-in-Charge of the Surface Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team, which readied aircraft carriers for safe, effec- tive nuclear propulsion plant operations. Most recently, he was the Director of Inspec- tions at the Board of Inspection and Survey ensuring Fleet material readiness through periodic equipment/systems inspections and ship trials.

Captain Brasek holds a Master of Science Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School (1994) and in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University (2012). He is a licensed Professional Engineer (Mechanical Engineering) in the State of California.

2 OUTLINE OF NSO

Day 2: Reveille begins at 0445. The mid- shipmen PT by 0515. At 0730 the midship- men take a tour of the Battle Stations training area where they get to witness a real capping ceremony of enlisted sailors. Later on that day the midshipmen are put through a swim qualification to determine their level of experience of being in the water. Once they have returned from their swim quals midshipmen are given a SAPR training (Sexual Assault Prevention and Response). They are also taught rank structure and the basics of the chain of command. They then begin their first close order drill practice. Close order drill the most basic leadership-follower rela- tionship that teaches both the importance of knowing how to lead and knowing when to follow.

Day 3: The midshipmen PT and get chow to start the day. Their first event of the day is seamanship training. Here the midshipmen learn the basics of sailing like how to tie specific knots. Then they go to the SAMT (Small Arms Training). Here the midshipmen learn gun safety and how to fire a small arms weapon properly. MIDN 4/C performing a fire safety drill during the later part of NSO Week. Once they’ve completed the SAMT train- ing they are given classes that emphasize the importance of fitness standards, drug and alcohol abuse, and prevention of hazing. They finish the day off with NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION WEEK another close order drill practice. Day 4: By this time the midshipmen are By MIDN 1/C Xavier Aragon developing good habits and are displaying proper customs and courtesies. They begin New Student Orientation is designed to welcome new members to the battalion, which the day with a mock PFT/PFA now that included and transform them from civilian college students to NROTC midshipmen. It is they know what the fitness standards are. fully planned and ran by midshipmen, emphasizing from day one the importance of peer They have another close order drill prac- tice so that they begin to understand the leadership within the program. Orientation requires students to focus and promote disci- importance of discipline and attention to pline, as they receive information from their instructors immediately. detail. They spend the majority of the day at the marina where they learn how to sail. The week’s program involves physical training, classes orienting the students with the Learning how to sail involves classroom Naval Service and its constituent parts and their missions, and instruction in discipline time as well as hands on learning on how and drill movements. Morning workouts encourage the new class to work together and to sail a small boat. The midshipmen are given information and are required to take motivate each other in preparation for their first physical fitness assessment, conducted a test the next day in order to have their at the end of the week. Topics ranging from basic Navy and Marine Corps knowledge to sailing qualifications. uniform wear and proper customs and courtesies are taught every day. Moreover, the Day 5: All day the midshipmen are out on students are at a civilian university, so much guidance is provided on time management, the water sailing. Once they return from class scheduling, and general tips on student life. It is an intense week, intended to inte- sailing they are given the opportunity to grate the freshmen into their new role as members of the student Battalion and the Unit- speak with RADM Evans. Upon returning to the living quarters the midshipmen ed States Navy and Marine Corps. have a field day to clean up the area and prepare to leave the next day. The first day of NSO week begins as soon as new midshipmen arrive at their respective units and are given a presentation welcoming them to the program. Once they have been Day 6: The midshipmen pack up all their welcomed, students say goodbye to their parents and begin their check-in and adminis- gear and make their way to the ACU (Assault Craft Unit). Here the midshipmen trative paperwork. The students are issued their uniforms and gear for the week. Once learn about the reserve units and go everything is accounted for, they load up in the vans head to RTC Great Lakes for the underway on the small craft boats. To week. complete NSO week they are put into formation and are officially sworn in as Upon arrival at RTC they are instructed to get accountability of their gear and begin their Midshipmen. All in house procedures. Around 1715, they experience the chow hall for the first time. After hands then have a BBQ and build camara- derie so that the new midshipmen inte- chow they are given classes that cover uniform regulations and midshipmen regulations grate into the battalion. as well as customs and courtesies. By 2000 it time for hygiene time and prep for the next morning. (See Outline of NSO for continuation of NSO schedule of events.)

3 EDO: CAPT STANCY

By MIDN 3/C Kasie Braun The presenters suggested that the engineering duty of- ficer community is a small, but elite community of intelligent and This past October the midshipmen at IIT and UIC had the chance to focused members. They stated that the community only makes up hear about a unique opportunity for surface warfare officer selectees. about 1.5% of the active-duty commissioned officer pool. Further, U.S. Navy Captain Stancy and a lieutenant came to discuss the duties engineering duty officers have broad experiences and gain a vast and perks of becoming an engineering duty officer, including exactly amount of technical expertise. how to get selected for the job. An engineering duty officer has many unique responsibilities in areas of fleet maintenance support, acqui- In order to connect to present experiences of the midshipmen as sition program management, and research and development. These students, the captain and lieutenant both emphasized the im- duties may include the design, acquisition, construction, repair, and portance of planning and having several back-up options if life disposal of ships, , aircraft carriers, and the systems on doesn’t quite work out the way one would have liked. Especially in these platforms. The captain and lieutenant explained that to be- regard to becoming an EDO, the presenters focused on planning for come an engineering duty officer after completing the NROTC pro- the future in order to fulfill the goals that one may have. gram, the midshipman must first select the surface warfare commu- nity as his or her main choice for service selection. Once a surface In all, the midshipmen enjoyed the opportunity to hear from a warfare officer, the young officer will opt to become an EDO unique part of the fleet and to discuss one of the many opportunities (engineering duty officer) after completing his or her warfare qualifi- available to them. cation and, at minimum, a sea tour.

Active Duty Officer Visits

3 TYPES OF SUBS

In a brief rundown, these submarines SUBS: CAPT DUNCAN are: Fast Attack Submarines (SSNS), Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN), By MIDN 4/C Kyle Luciu Guided Missile Submarines (SSGN). Captain Duncan visited the IIT NROTC unit on to share his success story as the Commander of All of these sleek submarines are an SSN with the NROTC Midshipman. CAPT Duncan covered many specifics involving the equipped with the latest and greatest making of and career path of an Unrestricted Line officer. The initial part of his implements of stealth, surveillance, presentation covered the different types of submarines and each of their specialties and mis- and destructive capabilities, causing sions. Later in his presentation, CAPT Duncan discussed the “pipeline” that a commissioned them to be the most feared weapons naval officer must go through in order to officially become a nuclear submarine officer. The first in the world. Each of the three classes have different capabilities and there- phase is Naval Nuclear Power School or NNPS where students will spend 24 weeks learning the fore missions. Attack submarines, or knowledge necessary to operate a nuclear reactor. Next students attend a 26 week hands on SSNS class, were constructed as ship learning period, on everything in submarines, called prototype. Finally students will be sent to hunters, with powerful strike capabil- their different schools to learn additional advanced information on their specific submarine ities SSNS are able to take out a wide class. But the work isn’t over once a submarine officer completes school, he or she will have to variety of targets including other manage a department of highly trained enlisted personnel for three years before obtaining their submarines. The silent defenders of “dolphins” or unrestricted line qualification. CAPT Duncan concluded that the submarine com- our nation, the SSBN were built for munity is a very difficult yet rewarding community that most officers strive to someday take the sole role of nuclear deterrence. command of their own submarine. The elite SSBN can operate underwa- ter for months on end while carrying nuclear strike capabilities, therefore it’s absolutely necessary that its crew can operate together in any given situation. Finally, SSGN, Ohio class, or “Boomers” are the most potent of the three classes of submarines, they can carry a payload of over 150 nucle- ar capable tomahawk missiles allow- ing an attack at great range on multi- ple targets.

4 The group that ventured off to Marinette, and some sights from the LCS Shipyard.

LCS SHIPYARD VISIT

By MIDN 2/C Ignatiy Orlovskiy

A group of IIT, NU, and Loyola Midshipmen recently went to visit the small town of Marinette, Wisconsin. It is home to the Freedom Class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), where 3 have already been built and 9 more are on the way.

The LCS platform is designed to operate in shallow waters for mainly the purpose of counterpiracy and counternarcotics missions. There are several factors that make the LCS class unique: they are designed to work with mission modules; they have a very reduced crew compared to other US Navy vessels; they sail at about 50 knots; they are designed to operate alone, but could possibly be part of a group of LCS ships.

One of the design concepts of the LCS class was to be able to completely change mission type in a matter of two days. To facilitate this, the ship has a cavity that fits a mission package, and this package can be interchanged with moderate ease. Packages include surface warfare (where a 5 inch gun is loaded into the module bay and a RHIB is loaded into the aft), counter mine warfare, and others. Even housing and additional computers are modular; a box resembling a freight container with housing to accommodate five can be added when additional contractors or sailors are needed for a particular mission type.

The reduced crew is due to the size of the vessel. Some departments have only 3 sailors (compared to 60 or so on a ). The engine bay, for example, has no watchstander – there are CCTV cameras and sensor arrays to monitor the space for fires or hazards. A sailor only goes into the space when necessary. Cuts such as these mean sailors have many more collateral duties on the LCS class compared to other surface ships. This leads to a very fast advancement rate, although making Chief tends to be difficult because the achievements are hard to quantify on paper.

The incredible speed of almost 50 knots is due to the ship being designed almost as a giant jet ski. In the Freedom class, two of the four engines have the ability to direct their thrust in any direction, giving the vessel the ability to dock or pull off complex maneuvers without the assistance of tug boats. When why the pain job on a recently completed LCS ship looks incomplete (the entire super- structure was unpainted), the site director explained that by deciding not to pain the superstructure, 4 tons of weight are saved. It is through these kinds of cuts to the weight that the vessel is able to reach such speeds.

The bridge also suffers from personnel cuts. The Helmsman and Lee Helmsman positions were completely eliminated, for example. The Officer of the Deck himself goes and adjusts the speed and direction of the rotors at the control panel (which looks like the throt- tle of an airplane, but also rotates from side to side).

One of the completed ships will undergo shock testing in the following months. This entails conducting controlled explo- sions at distances from the vessel with the crew on board in order to observe how the structure handles the shock wave stress.

The future is looking bright for junior surface warfare officers, as the LCS platform is proving to be a challenging but lucrative career option. 5 CLASS OF 2016 NAVY & MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALL The graduating, class By MIDN 3/C Genelle Arandia procession was the arrival of the Midshipman of 2016 1/C Battalion Commanders and, most notably, The ballroom held a quiet, professional re- the arrival of the Guest of Honor, Major serve embedded within its obvious sophisti- midshipmen walked General Melvin, G. Spiese, USMC, followed cation. Lit in a soft yellow glow, midship- by the Commanding Officer, Captain Thomas under the sword arch men, officers, and enlisted alike, quite dapper P. Brasek, USN. with their dates: in their SDBs, entered the ballroom with their equally elegant dates: They were seated The posting of the colors proceeded under according to designated name cards in round the narration of Midn 4/C Nicholas Busalac- From Northwestern tables covered in richly blue cloth spread chi, and afterwards followed the POW/MIA University’s unit around the room, and engaged in excited Table and Honors Ceremony narrated by chatter about the annual NROTC Chicago MIDN 1/C Leana Osmer. The Joint Birthday were MIDN 1/C Han- Consortium event that was about to unfold. Cake Cutting Ceremony ensued, with the The venue was beautiful, the honored guest oldest and youngest members of the consor- nah Brachfeld, was well-accomplished and highly admired, tium playing key roles, being Sgt Gerald Victa USNR, MIDN 1/C and both Chicago NROTC units were joined and MIDN 4/C James Schuller, respectively. together for a night of heritage, camaraderie, Before dinner, the reading of the services Ethan Ernst, honor, and celebration marking the 240th birthday messages occurred via videos from USNR, and Midn birthdays of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. each respective service. The U.S. NROTC Chicago Area units held the After a very delectable dinner, the Com- 1/C Craig Sabath, annual Navy and Marine Corps Birthday Ball manding Officer’s remarks followed and then USMC. on Friday, November 6th, 2015, and was Major General Spiese commanded everyone’s organized by MIDN 2/C Orlovskiy. The attention with a concise, yet incredibly mov- Guest of Honor was greatly decorated Major ing speech regarding the true impact and From Illinois Insti- General Melvin, G. Spiese, USMC. Major importance of leadership. The night ended tute of Technology’s General Spiese commissioned via the NROTC as the floor opened for dancing and general program at University of Illinois, Urbana- festivities. unit were Midn 1/C Champaign, and during his lauded military This year’s Birthday Ball, like every year’s career served as the Marine Officer Instruc- before and every year’s to come, was filled Blake Manuel, tor at the IIT NROTC unit. At the height of with fun, inspiration, and perhaps most his military career, Major General Spiese was USMC and MIDN importantly of all, the honor and tradition assigned as Deputy Commanding General, I that makes the Navy and Marine Corps great- 1/C Watts, USNR. Marine Expeditionary Force, and Command- ly admired and respected. It reminds every- ing General, I Marine Expeditionary Brigade. one who took part in such grand celebration We wish the Class of Following the reception, the sounding of who we are as the Navy and Marine Corps: 2018 the best in all Adjutant’s Call began the customary schedule The inspiring members of the past and pre- of events, beginning with the invocation and sent, as well as the youthful, eager officers of they do. They will sword escort leading to the procession of this the future. surely become able, year’s graduating seniors. After the senior inspiring leaders of our beloved U.S. Navy and Marine Corps!

6 CHICAGO CONSORTIUM DRILL MEET

By MIDN 3/C Jasmyn Maier

The annual Consortium Drill meet took place on October 24th, a day of classic roller- coaster Chicago weather. The day began early with IIT Midshipmen gathering gear and clearing the drill deck. After a customary opening speech from the unit staff, this time from Commander Holihan, and a brief from MIDN 2/c Adelman, IIT’s color guard team performed with MIDN 3/c Newberry commanding, while Gunnery Sergeant Williams and Master Sergeant Hughes began judging. Following IIT’s performance was Northwestern University’s color guard team, commanded by MIDN 1/c Ernst.

Next up were the drill teams. First to go was NU, commanded by MIDN 3/c Palamountain. After, MIDN 2/c Adelman commanded IIT’s drill team around the drill deck. MIDN 4/c Hunt, a member of the drill team described his first drill meet as “a ton of fun.” He said, “I was nervous, but getting to compete against our fellow Midshipmen was a lot of fun. My favorite part was the E-team race, where you really had to push your- self to the limit of what you could do.”

“You really push yourself to the limit of what you can do.”

After a quick downpour of rain, the Endurance Race began with the KIM game (a memory game that marks the beginning and end of the endurance race). The endurance race was approximately 5.2 miles, with nine events, including pull ups, relays of bear crawls, crab walks, wheel barrels, 100 team sit ups, 100 flutter kicks, and stretcher carry, 250 yard ammo can carry, 200 burpees, 400 ammo can lifts, firemen carry, and finally, at the end, a 75m tire flipping race. To wrap it all up, E-teams finished the KIM game by trying to recall items they viewed at the beginning of the race.

At the end of the drill meet, midshipmen and unit staff changed into civilian attire and had lunch in the IIT Bog while XO announced the results of each competition and overall victor of the IIT Drill Competition. IIT’s color guard came in first, drill team came in second, and E-team 1 came in first. In all, IIT won the Consortium meet, and Midn 1/C Manuel accepted the trophy.

7 SULE LAB

By Midn 4/C Nicholas Busalacchi MIDN – the group’s lead MIDN - would stand alongside and direct the blindfolded MIDN verbally to the other side without On 17 Nov 2015, we held our IIT/UIC NROTC SULE lab. The stepping on a mine. Landmines was host to many trials, tribula- small unit leadership exercise is a small group interactive activi- tions, and laughs, and in the end had the least number of groups ty intended to build leadership skills, evaluate peers, grow cama- to complete the objective than any other station. It was a great raderie within the unit, and gain valuable team working experi- way for MIDN to be put at a disadvantage and learn to adapt ence. Led by Midn 4/C Busalacchi and organized by the battal- and overcome. ion operations officer, Midn 2/C Frank, the SULE lab was a great way to kick off the battalion activities for the fall semester The difficulties of landmines was near paralleled with station following new student orientation week. three, the shrinking blanket. At the shrinking blanket, MIDN were tasked with their entire team keeping two feet firmly plant- Thankfully, the weather turned out for us and we ed on the blanket for 15 seconds at a time, broken up by folding were able to complete all four of the lab stations we prepared the blanket in half. This proved great for MIDN of all sizes, as for. Each station had a 10 minute time guideline: one minute for the larger MIDN acted as immoveable objects for the smaller strategizing, eight minutes for completing the task at hand, and MIDN to take hold of and stay on the blanket, consistently halv- one minute at the end for the station evaluators – consisting ing in size. The shrinking blanket showed MIDN how to utilize primarily of MIDN staff – to de-brief the groups on how well all members of the group to the best of their abilities while stay- they did, and in what areas they could improve. At the end of the ing as time a spatially efficient as possible. 10 minute cycles, each group had to hit the pull up bars and every MIDN completed a max set of pull ups. Small unit leader- Lastly, the station combining all traits of leadership, teamwork, ship and physical fitness, a winning combination. For each sta- physical fitness and strategization, was islands. Islands was the tion, groups had to switch who was their lead MIDN, giving all largest scale station consisting of three islands of different shape members a chance to be evaluated on leadership and teamwork. and size, and two narrow wooden planks for transport. MIDN had to get their entire team from one island to another, showing We kicked the lab off by getting into boots-and-utes after the complete control at each stop. Some groups went to the lengths brief and splitting into small groups. The first station was called of removing their boots to reduce consumption of surface area gutter ball: MIDN had to get as many ping pong balls from one and more effectively assemble onto the islands. In the end, the bucket to another, standing in a line side by side, using only note group with the most trips from island one to three had some cards and their short minute of planning to complete the objec- serious bragging rights. tive. The station proved to be quite easy, so midway through the first group’s attempt, MOI Capt Cartica ordered that MIDN In the end, the lab was a very successful activity, bringing MIDN complete 20 push-ups for every 20 balls transferred. Again, together in adverse situations to complete the end objective of adding the crucial and essential factor of physical fitness. In the winning the greatest amount of stations, and gain some valuable end, the station was a great example of the importance of effi- and necessary knowledge that will lead to prepared and engaged ciency within a small sized group to prudence maximum results. officers out in the fleet.

After gutter ball, MIDN maxed out their pull ups and headed to landmines. The most technical station of the four, landmines utilized a 20sqft area, littered with landmines (Gatorade bottles) left and right, front and back. In this station, one MIDN would stand blindfolded on one side of the minefield, and one other

8 ENDURANCE LAB

By MIDN 4/C Michael Garcia

On November 3rd, 2015, the midshipmen of IIT/UIC NROTC unit conducted an endur- ance lab. The goal of the endurance lab was for Midshipman to receive additional physical training during lab time while also challenging and building their teamwork skills in a physical and stressful environment as well as promote and practice leadership within the two teams competing against each other.

The endurance lab kicked off at 0830 and did not conclude until 0930. It was held in the Keating field of the IIT campus. The lab consisted of two teams racing against each other in the three stations. Throughout the exercise, the teams were timed and also observed to ensure that rules were followed while completing each station.

Station One was a tire flip in which two tires, one for each team, were flipped a distance of 75 meters by the entire team. Every 75 meters, the midshipman team would receive a point and would begin to flip the tire back to score another point. The midshipman team with the most points after ten minutes would win the event. Team one suffered a casualty when the tire was flipped and fell on team members leg. After the swift action of lifting the tire off the injured midshipman and attending to their downed teammate, Team one continued on with the event, with another midshipman stepping in as their replacement. After team two won the event, both teams hydrated and continued to the next station.

Station Two was an Indian run around the Keating track. The two teams scored points each lap ran doing Indian runs while staying together. They were given ten minutes to complete as many laps possible. Each Midshipman was required to carry one of the two ammo cans, one jug of water, and one backpack. While running, Midshipman worked together by communicating and trading off each item. Team one won this event and both teams hydrated and continued to the final station.

The endurance lab concluded with Station Three which was a circuit that both teams ran through at the same time. It was a relay style event in which both teams sent one Mid- shipman at a time and could not send the next Midshipman until they completed the course. The first team with every Midshipman having completed the course would win. Team one finished first, winning the event and the endurance lab. After hydrating and an afterword from the observing Unit staff members, the endurance lab was concluded at 0930.

The endurance lab was a great experience for Midshipman to build camaraderie and test their physical and mental strength while competing in a stressful environment. By moti- vating and working together with their teammates, both teams successfully completed each station and excelled in taking this opportunity to improve their physical and mental readiness.

9 IIT NROTC PLEASE PLACE 3300 S. Federal Street STAMP Chicago, IL 60616 HERE

Phone: (312) 567-8963

E-mail: [email protected]

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