TFOT FY2019 – Week 2, Day 2 and 3

Week 2, Day 2 and 3

Leadership Reaction Course

On Week 2, Days 2 and 3 we did the Leadership Reaction Course (LRC), also called Project X.  This was fun and a good break from the classroom.  This is pretty much a series of about 20ish obstacles with various missions that we had to solve.  We had a team leader, 5 other participants, and the rest of the flight were safeties.  For each obstacle and mission we had 20 minutes to solve the scenario.  An example would be, “You need to get yourself, your crew, a 55 gallon drum of ‘explosives,’ and all your supplies from point A to point B.  All you have is a rope and a 20 foot metal beam.  You can’t touch the ground (besides where your team is standing), or anything painted red.  Go!”  It was fun, physically demanding at times, mentally demanding always, and it sometimes took a great deal of courage to do something above water or high above the ground.

The purpose of the LRC wasn’t necessarily to pass the obstacle, rather to test the team leader’s ability to lead and the followers’ ability to follow.  Some groups did better than others.  The LRC was an Individual Leadership Opportunity (ILO) for everyone in the flight.  More about those below.

Individual Leadership Opportunities (ILO)

Another graduation requirement are graded leadership positions.  You’ll have two practices called ILOs (initial leadership opportunity, I believe).  Then you have two actual graded positions, GLPs (Graded Leadership Position).  There are several ways to get an ILO or GLP.  You will always be given two ILOs before you start doing GLPs.  As mentioned above, the LRC event where you are the team leader is one.  Being the flight leader for a week is another.  Really, there isn’t any way to prepare for these.  It’s testing your leadership abilities.  Just always communicate well, listen to feedback from your team members, take the time to make a good plan, but don’t take too long, make a decision, and then move.  “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” – General Patton

Packing List

The packing lists suggests bringing two pair of boots.  I did, and I am happy I did.  There will be times where your boots may get soaked like at the LRC.  Some people didn’t bring two pairs, then had to figure out a way to dry them before going back to the LRC the next day.  Some tried to stick them in the dryer (please, please do not do this).  Some people stuck a hair dryer in them.  If you can swing the funds, having two pair is nice.

• I second this.  The training environment is different than the operational Air Force.  It is really nice to have two pairs at OTS because you can devote one to use when are in the field or doing LRC-type things.  There is nothing like having the sense of security in knowing that one of your pair of boots can get trashed while the other one is safe in your room.  You can then use your good pair for marching around campus and sitting in the auditorium.  (SR)

The packing list also suggests you bring three pairs of ABUs.  I only brought two, but quickly purchase a third when I got here.  I think it’s good to have a “field pair” that you don’t worry about getting dirty and then two good pair for the rest of the time you are here.  It’s been rainy this week so it’s been nice to have a dirty pair (from the LRC), a wet pair, and then a third pair that I can still put on without worrying about doing laundry.

• I second this one as well.  You can get away with two but it is nice to have three.  When I was there I used all three pairs of my ABUs.  From the beginning I “wrote off” one of the sets as well.  I always used that set for field exercises and tried to keep the other two in good working condition.  At the end of training my field set was pretty worn out so I retired it and eventually replaced it once I pinned on First Lieutenant.  (SR)

Talking about laundry, I suggest having enough shirts, underwear, and socks to get you through a whole week.  Maybe have some extras, if needed.  It’s nice not doing any laundry until you get to the weekends where things are a bit more relaxed. 

Conclusion

LRC happened in the morning for both days.  We ate MREs for breakfast and lunch for both days (yay).  In the afternoons we had more classroom time.  I can’t say it enough, but it never stops here.  It’s go, go, go.