Leader's Training Course

The official news site for Operation Bold Leader

Fraternity brother finds new motivation

Posted on July 12, 2011 by PAO

Second Lt. Kevin Matthews makes sure teams are ready to compete at the stream-crossing challenge. Photo by Sammy Jo Hester/LTC PAO

By Noelle Wiehe
Staff writer

Unity and strength are two qualities Soldiers acquire through training and combat. But for 2nd Lt. Kevin Mathews of the University of Southern Mississippi, the Army isn’t the only team he has relied on to keep him motivated.

In 2007, Mathews, a 23-year-old Louisiana native and Leader’s Training Course cadre member, participated in a 4,100-mile bike trip with his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, to raise funds and awareness for people with disabilities.

“I had the most wicked tan lines ever,” Mathews said.

The event, called Journey of Hope, was started in 1987. Mathews and his group of 27 other fraternity brothers from across the country trained for five months before traveling through 13 states on the bike trip, starting in San Francisco and ending in Washington, D.C.

“We would ride about 75 miles a day,” Mathews said. “Then, we’d get off the bikes and do ‘friendship visits’ where you hang out with the people with disabilities and get to know them.”

As a participant, Mathews was required to raise a minimum of $5,000 for the cause through donations and sponsors. He admitted, however, the number was surprisingly easy to reach and he actually surpassed the goal, raising $7,000.

“I’d get sponsorships where I’d hit a state line and take a picture in the company’s T-shirt — anything to raise the money,” he said.

Mathews was impressed by the generosity of people he’d never met who he’d tell about the trip, and they would send him large checks and wish him luck.

To raise awareness of his trip and help him meet his goal, Mathews created a Facebook page for the trip, which gained 50 followers within a day of its creation and now has 120 followers. On the page, friends and family of Mathews showed their support with words of encouragement.

“I am so proud of you for doing this,” posted Mike Barry, a pledge brother of Mathews.

The ride was something totally different for Mathews because he had never been on the type of bike they used for the trip.

“We used the type of bikes they use in Tour de France,” he said. “It was definitely a steep learning curve.”

While Mathews had no particular connection to the event, such as a relative with a disability, he was inspired by someone close to him, Lindsay Mingo, a fraternity brother who had participated in the event the year prior.

“He was kind of like me,” Mathews said, “a type of person who likes to push himself, try new adventures and try new things that push the body.”

Mathews and Mingo were up late one night, and Mingo was telling him all about the event. Mathews could see how much it had changed him and made him a better person.

“It was about 4 a.m. that night when I thought, ‘God, I really want to do this,’ ” Mathews said.

The 13-state trip lasted 64 days, but by the time Mathews’ 100-person group reached the third state, Mathews’ previously torn ACL started giving him trouble. The pain was merely a hurdle for Mathews to get over, however.

A cortisone shot and supportive team members were all he needed to keep going.

“My teammates understood some days if I had to get off the bike a little bit early because I still had the military in my mind,” he said.

Mathews enlisted in the military just six months after he participated in Journey of Hope.

“My mom was more worried about me doing (Journey of Hope) than me joining the military,” Mathews said.

At the Leader’s Training Course, Mathews works as part of the stream-crossing and situation training exercise committees.

While the Army is in Mathews’ future, he is constantly reminded of the Journey of Hope in his past and all those who his journey helped.

“It’s one of those things, you feel like you’ve pushed yourself as hard as you can,” he said. “But then you get done, and you see a kid who would just wish he could feel the pain in his legs that you’re feeling. You’re like, ‘God, I could have pushed further.’ ”

Cadets celebrate end of training with future in mind

Posted on July 12, 2011 by PAO

A Cadet lights a ceremonial torch Tuesday during Bravo Company's rites of passage ceremony. Photo by Dorothy Edwards/LTC PAO

By Caitlin VanOverberghe
Staff writer

There comes a day toward the end of a company’s time at the Leader’s Training Course when, under a dark, early morning sky, Cadets are given a moment to celebrate with a ceremony known as the rites of passage — an event that marks the official end of formal training.

After a 6.2-mile road march starting at 3:15 a.m., the bleary-eyed, sweat-soaked Cadets made their way to Memorial Grove, where music greeted them. Tunes ranging from Eminem to Toby Keith blared over the speakers, but were quickly drowned out by the motivating shouts of the Cadets.

Exhaustion could be heard in their voices and seen on their faces. Just as the began to peek, giving the sky a purple hue, the Cadets fell into formation for the ceremony.

Under the shadow of trees, seven Cadets, reciting the seven Army Values, lit torches with a flame from the past, always remembering those who came before them. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Cadets received an Army Values tag.

Bravo Cadet Doug Spencer, of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, said that for him the ceremony meant he and his fellow Cadets were one step closer to becoming second lieutenants in the Army. He’s looking ahead to the Leadership Development and Assessment Course next summer, where he will continue training.

Alpha Cadet Kyle Carlson, of Western Michigan University, said that even though he and his fellow Cadets were sweaty, after many handshakes and slaps on the back, completing the ceremony made him feel good.

“It was nice to hear the Army Values again,” he said. “Mostly, I was just really sweaty and wanted to get a shower.”

Like Carlson, Bravo Cadet David Abrams said he also looked forward to changing clothes and eating breakfast. While he has enjoyed his time at LTC, Abrams is glad training has drawn to a close. He said he’s looking forward to heading home.

Fellow Bravo Cadet Derricka Vereen, of Jackson State University in Mississippi, said she was motivated and proud of herself for receiving a dog tag.

“This is the first thing I’ve actually worked for in my life,” she said. “I’m feeling good; I’m feeling really good.”

Like Spencer, Vereen is eyeing attendance at LDAC next summer. She knows many in her LTC platoon will join her there.

“I’m going to miss everybody, but we’ll all end up together at LDAC, and when we do that it will be on and poppin’,” she said.

‘Black Hawk Down’ officer reinforces leadership, Army values

Posted on July 11, 2011 by PAO

Charlie Company listened Monday to retired Col. Danny McKnight of "Black Hawk Down" fame. He spoke on the importance of leadership values and respect in the Army. Photo by Heather Cortright/LTC PAO

By Alex Aspacher
Staff writer

Each company listens to a motivational speaker during their time at the Leader’s Training Course, and this year Charlie Company got inspiration from a real-life leader from the popular movie “Black Hawk Down.”

Retired Col. Danny McKnight told the Cadets they are the “future leaders” of the United States and talked about the qualities, behavior and mindset needed to be effective in various situations.

“All of these people here, whether in the military or civilian world, are going to be in some kind of leadership position,” McKnight said. “They’re already showing a willingness to do that, and they’ve got to understand that when they get that opportunity, that it’s not about them. It’s about the other people that they’re serving, and that’s usually your subordinates.”

He emphasized the Army Values, but insisted they are applicable to much more than just the armed forces.

“Regardless of what you choose to do, those seven values should be the center of your life,” he said.

McKnight also shared stories of the leaders who influenced him and told Cadets they will develop their own leadership style based on those they encounter, both good and bad.

McKnight has the authority to speak on leadership “because of all he’s done,” said Cadet Chattan Goodson, of Wentworth Military Academy and College. “He’s basically a hero to the nation. He’s been through a lot.”

McKnight is perhaps best known for his role in the early 1990s in Mogadishu, Somalia, that provided inspiration for the book and movie “Black Hawk Down.” Almost all of the nearly 200 Cadets seated in Waybur Theater Monday raised their hands when asked if they had seen the film.

McKnight told Charlie Company details of his combat experience that weren’t included in “Black Hawk Down,” and the lessons that must be learned from those events.

The United States has endured as a nation, McKnight said, “because the reality of sacrifice, when required and necessary, has always had Americans like you stand up and say, ‘I will do my part.’ ”

In Somalia, McKnight led a group of Army Rangers during Task Force Ranger, which was designed to capture or kill Mohamed Farrah Aidid, a warlord responsible for the murder of many Somalis, as well as the killing of 24 Pakistani United Nations soldiers June 5, 1993. Aidid had already demonstrated violence when he ordered his troops to seize U.N. food drops in December of the previous year, McKnight said.

McKnight’s 3rd Ranger Battalion entered hostile territory in Mogadishu Oct. 3 to pursue some of Aidid’s forces. Two Army helicopters were shot down with rocket-propelled grenades during the mission, and Soldiers were forced to defend themselves for nearly a day and a half until they were rescued.

That incident was the last of seven operations in Somalia between Aug. 30 and Oct. 4, 1993, McKnight said. More than a thousand Somalis, many of whom attacked U.S. troops, were killed or injured during Task Force Ranger, which also claimed 19 American Soldiers, all but two of them Army Rangers.

Cadet Stephen Bradley said the messages McKnight shared were much more important than hearing about his insider’s perspective on the subject of a popular movie.

“(He said) one of the biggest things to do is lead by example, and he did it,” the George Military College Cadet said. “I was expecting him to talk mostly about his Somalia visit, but he didn’t. He talked about how to lead troops and the values you need to succeed in life.”

McKnight, a full-time motivational speaker, has presented at LTC nine times. He said he hopes to release his book, “Streets of Mogadishu: Leadership at its Best, Political Correctness at its Worst!” by Aug. 1.

Move to U.S. opens Army door for lieutenant

Posted on July 11, 2011 by PAO

Second Lt. Freddy Mawyin instructs a Cadet on releasing and setting up a one-rope bridge during a stream-crossing demonstration. Photo by Sammy Jo Hester/LTC PAO

By Sara Nahrwold
Staff writer

At age 18, 2nd Lt. Freddy Mawyin had some money from his parents, a backpack full of clothes and headed for the United States from Ecuador to pursue his education.

The American-born Mawyin, who first moved to Ecuador when he was about 2 months old, wanted to try living in the States for a couple months and if he liked it, he would stay and if not, he would go back.

“I knew it would be hard since I didn’t speak English, and I didn’t know anybody,” he said. “I was a little nervous but I felt like I would try it for a couple months at least and if I didn’t like it, just go back. I liked it and decided to stay here.”

The biggest problem Mawyin faced was a language barrier.

“I normally walked around with a dictionary, and I think my vocabulary consisted of a couple hundred words,” he said. “It was very difficult for me to produce a full sentence.”

The pronunciation was difficult but he struggled even more with grammar.

“I didn’t actually learn it for about four years,” Mawyin said. “At that point, I was able to speak it, but it wasn’t at the college level.”

What he really wanted was to go to college, but his two jobs were barely paying enough to cover his rent. That’s when Vincent Higgins, a Vietnam veteran who Mawyin was renting a place from, talked to him about joining the Army.

He then took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB test, which is used to determine qualification for enlistment in the military.

“I think that was the most scary thing,” he said. “It was four and a half hours of test, and I literally was looking at the screen and I didn’t understand a single thing.”

Despite his difficulties with the language, Mawyin was able to enlist. The military was his chance at a better life.

“At that point, I was looking into living the lifestyle that I had, which was living pretty much day by day or having a more difficult, more stressful life but not having to worry about those basic needs such as food and sleep,” he said. “The Army gave me shelter and gave me food, and that was pretty much enough for me at that point.”

The military was also his chance at college, the reason he came to the United States in the first place.

“It makes it easier to concentrate on studies when you’re not working 60 hours a week,” Higgins said. “It was the best bet for him and it turned out well.”

Mawyin deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2005 as a company engineer for one year. This was the only time in the eight years the two have known each other that they didn’t have contact.

After deployment, Mawyin decided to transition from an enlisted Soldier to an officer. He was part of ROTC while at Washington University in St. Louis and is now a Leader’s Training Course cadre member at the stream-crossing site. He hopes his Army career will evolve into years of service.

“I would like to make stars, so I will probably stay for about 30 years but we will see,” he said. “As long as I can do this job, I definitely will.”

Mawyin can’t believe how far he has come since coming to the United States with very little money in his pocket.

“At the beginning, my first dream was coming here,” he said. “Now I realize the position I’m in right now, and I’m very grateful for that.”

He goes back to Ecuador for vacation, but his family still lives there full-time. He plans on bringing his two sisters, mother and father to the United States.
Higgins said he can’t believe how far Mawyin has come since he saw him graduate from college and commission.

“I’m proud of the guy, and I know he will do great,” Higgins said. “He deserves to receive the rewards he’s worked so hard to get.”

Mawyin credits being on his own in the United States as preparing him to be successful as a second lieutenant.

“It definitely made me look at life a little different, and it kind of helped me grow up a little bit,” he said. “I’m just very grateful for everything that happened and how the military gave me housing, gave me a job and I am very thankful for what I have now.”

So long, Alpha: Company first to graduate

Posted on July 11, 2011 by PAO

Third platoon of Alpha Company stands at attention during Monday's graduation ceremony. Photo by Bobby Ellis/LTC PAO

By Thomas Gounley
Staff writer

As family and friends gathered Monday morning at Fort Knox’s Brooks Field, Brig. Gen. Barrye Price had a word of warning for them.

“You may have a hard time recognizing the people who arrived here 29 days ago,” said Price, deputy commanding officer of U.S. Army Cadet Command and the graduation’s guest speaker.

One-hundred ninety-five Alpha Company Cadets from schools across the country graduated from the Leader’s Training Course, formally ending the 29-day program that allows them to return to school as third-year ROTC students.

LTC Commander Col. Eric Winkie urged Cadets to remember their training, everything from navigating the high ropes course to putting their marksmanship skills to the test.

“You never quit, you never gave up,” he said. “You pulled each other through.”

After recognizing those among the audience who served, Winkie urged Cadets to follow suit.

“You are following in great footsteps … you are the reason they’ll be free tomorrow,” Winkie said.

Price, himself an LTC graduate, urged Cadets to commission upon returning to their home campuses.

“I pray that I’ll see you in these colors on the team in a couple years,” Price said, referring to their uniforms.

The reunions among family and Cadets after the ceremony were much as Price had predicted.

“He’s kind of changed from a boy to a little bit of a man here,” said Mark Connor of his son, Cadet Andrew Gillespie-Connor.

After nearly a month of minimal contact with his son, Connor and his family drove down from Peoria, Ill., to witness the graduation.

“We were pretty excited to get down here – all hyped up,” he said.

Many of family members discovered that, in their absence, Cadets had formed a family of their own.

“When I came here, I didn’t think I’d meet so many different people,” said Gillespie-Connor, of Western Illinois University.

After arriving and knowing no one, Cadets quickly bonded within their company, and particularly within their platoon.

“I’m going to miss the camaraderie – having that kind of support,” said Cadet Jacob Rafidi, of Kent State University.

“It’s amazing how quickly you can build a team,” said Cadet Lawrence Hsieh, of the University of Maryland.

In addition to learning teamwork, Cadets also spoke of learning the inner workings of the military, a world few get to see in-depth.

“I definitely learned a lot of discipline and a lot more respect for what everyone does in the Army,” Rafidi said. “It’s a different world.”