7 July 2008
BIG SANDY, Texas -
Going into ATS, or Advanced Training Squadron, I didn't know what to expect. I thought it might be easy because I had already gone though being a Basic. On the other hand, I thought it might be hard because as a future staff member, I would be expected to work at a higher level than as an average cadet. However, by the end, I realized how ignorant I had been, worrying about difficulty rather than what I would learn. I learned such things as stepping in to be a leader, projecting my voice using my diaphragm, and most important, helping out fellow cadets when they stumble.

ATS was split into two Flights, Juliet and Kilo, and all of ATS was split randomly into four squads. Daily, the positions of Squad Sergeant and Squad Commander were rotated, so that we could all experience first-hand what it feels like to be in command. Even though we had appointed Squad Staff, we kept a big "open-door policy," for all of us were learning together. For this long week, your squad mates would be your best friends. Squad mates would do several team-oriented activities, like creating squad chants, doing written projects together, and performing GLP's, or Group Leadership Projects. These projects would introduce essential leadership elements like communication, co-operation, precision, creativity, and in some cases good coordination. Every day, we would have three or four classes on customs and courtesies, uniform standards, morale, discipline and several other useful subjects that a cadet needs to know in order to be a good staff member.

During our long stressful days, there arose several opportunities to be a leader. For example, one could be the cadet getting everyone back on task or the cadet who grabbed the pumpkin (cooler) when the pumpkin bearers forgot it. I learned that, as a leader, one must have very good situational awareness and even when other team members fail, you must step in and help them. As a leader, you must learn to do a job because it is necessary, whether or not you want to do it. Also, a good leader does not waver or hesitate. In the military, a career that many cadets are striving to follow, if a leader hesitates, it could mean death to those he or she is leading.

           1. 2. 3. 4.

[1] Apollo cadets John Schertz, Paul Benoit, Jason Messmer, Rebecca Walden, Davita Heavener, Sarah Lewis and Priscilla Santiago with squadron commander Capt Cheri Fischler [2] Cadets John Schertz and Brandon Blackburn of the S. Ft Worth Composite Squadron practice saluting with their guidons. [3] Cadets Nick Spanial of Gregg County CS, John Schertz, and Preston Pietrzykowski of Gregg County CS. [4] C/SSgt John Schertz (carrying guidon) with ATS staff members C/Capt Annabel Andrews, C/Maj Joshua Vaughan, and C/2d Lt Jonathan Williams.

As Cadet Basics, many cadets will find that they lose their voice after a couple of days of intense yelling. This is because they make the common mistake of using the vocal cords to yell instead of the diaphragm. As a future staff member, you must properly use your diaphragm to be louder than any cadet under your command. Simultaneously, you must not lose your voice (it'd be hard to give commands without your voice). The best way I can describe it is like getting the wind knocked out of you and using this "wind" to speak. After several days of practice, I met my "command voice" and, I must say, I like it!

During the week, I could see cadets struggling left and right. By the end, I realized that as a leader I must be able to carry my own weight, plus the weight of others if necessary. If one member of your team falls behind, all of you fall behind. If one member of your team fails, your team fails its objective and therefore all of you fail. In my dorm, a fellow cadet started the week with a failing grade. However, as the week went on, my roommates and I helped out each other until all of us were near perfect. In the end, I'm proud to say that this cadet received his cord at graduation along with every other member of Summer '08 ATS.

The week that I attended ATS was well spent. I received honor cadet of Juliet Flight, but it came down to more than just that. I learned things that I know for sure I would not have learned on my own or at any other event; things that I know I must carry on and pass on to new, up and coming cadets. I learned to be strong and to step in as a leader, to use my voice in a commanding tone, and in my opinion, I learned the true definition of leadership. I learned to treat your teammates' problems as your own and ensure your teammates' success at all costs, even if it means sacrificing your own needs before theirs. Finally, I'd like to thank all of my instructors for what they passed on to me and to promise them that their teachings will not end with me.

Article by C/SSgt John R. Schertz (First published in the July Group III, Texas Wing Newsletter)