Cadets Face Intense Land Navigation and Leadership Challenges

Cadets from Alabama A&M University’s ROTC Bulldog Battalion recently partnered with the University of North Alabama (UNA) for a rigorous Fall Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Redstone Arsenal. According to Lt. Col. Early Howard Jr., chair of the ROTC department and professor of military sciences, 60 cadets from Alabama A&M participated, including students from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and Athens State University. The remaining participants represented UNA’s ROTC program.

“This is the first joint exercise we’ve done between the two schools in a long time,” said Howard, noting that the Alabama A&M and UNA ROTC programs are set to merge in 2026.

The cadets conducted their training in a rarely used section of Redstone Arsenal, where they navigated deep underbrush during land navigation and situational training exercises. The training included both night and day land navigation exercises, challenging cadets to use maps and compasses to locate specific points in wooded areas. Additional warrior skills training included hand grenade throwing, movement techniques, and lane-running drills.

“Redstone sent their command team out, and we were able to meet the civilian aid to the secretary of the Army and the command sergeant major,” said Cadet Heidi Kaeding, a senior business administration student at UAH. Senior cadets like Kaeding served as leaders during the exercise, mentoring newer cadets and strengthening their own leadership and communication skills.

“In the Army, accountability is everything,” Kaeding added. “Even though we used plastic grenades, we must treat it as we would real equipment. This attention to detail prepares us for handling real situations with care and precision.”

The exercise also served as preparation for the upcoming Joint Field Training Exercise at Fort Moore, Georgia, in the spring, which will involve up to eight university ROTC programs. FTX training is a graduation and commissioning requirement.

“Field training exercises and repetitions of the Army's warrior tasks and battle drills are essential for cadets,” said Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Schoemann, instructor and non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC). “These teach them how to lead and work as a team, navigate under pressure, execute tasks in stressful environments, and solve problems in complex scenarios, which are all vital attributes of Army leaders.”

Cadet Damien Dixon from Alabama A&M praised the collaboration between schools and the diversity in leadership styles throughout the exercise. “It was great to discuss tactics and missions with our partner schools. Having different leaders for every mission and getting acquainted with each leadership style was also beneficial, because that’s what it will be like in the real world.”

(Photos courtesy Cadets Gabriel Carr and Heidi Kaeding)