Morell Boone pushed himself to his physical and mental limits. And then some.
He rappelled down a ramp, simulated jumping from a helicopter and survived combat water survival training.
Boone, dean of Eastern Michigan University's College of Technology, recently endured five days of training at Fort Knox with Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets of the Charlie Company.
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ATTENTION: Morell Boone, dean
of Eastern Michigan University's
College of Technology, poses
with a M16A2 rifle with an M203
grenade launcher attached
underneath during an ROTC
Leadership Training Course at Fort
Knox. Boone, who posed with but
did not fire the weapon, was one
of a group of 90 civilian educators
responsible for military programs
that participated.
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Boone was one of a group of 90 civilian educational leaders responsible for military programs that participated in the Leader's Training Course (LTC). Before entering their junior year, ROTC students take this course to become second lieutenants. In only two days of action, Boone completed the obstacles that 1,200 ROTC students — who gathered for their graduation ceremony at Fort Knox — mastered in 28 days.
"Every waking hour is a learning or teaching moment," Boone said.
During his stay, Boone dressed like a soldier, wearing a battle dress uniform (BDU) with "EMU" stamped on the chest. He ate like one too, surviving off meals ready-to-eat (MREs). When there are no food facilities available in the field, the MREs or chemical food packets provide soldiers with energy and nutritional value. There was even a surprise drill and ceremony (D&C), in which the drill sergeant did not provide any breaks to the inexperienced civilians. Luckily, Boone received some help, albeit in secret, from a cadet.
With his platoon of a dozen, Boone rappelled down a 37-foot ramp, skidded (a free fall simulating a jump from a helicopter) with his self-assembled harness and completed combat water survival training in full uniform and rifle.
Tying knots to create his own safety harness presented its own challenge, considering Boone said he never learned how to tie a knot in Boy Scouts.
All of the LTC courses are designed to simulate real combat situations, such as an embassy rescue mission. The course trains cadets not only how to take the proper precautions while under pressure in the event of danger, but also to have the knowledge and composure to lead other soldiers through such situations.
At the climbing facility, Boone witnessed what he described as a very touching moment. There, he watched a female cadet struggle to make it through the difficult course. With encouragement from her peers, she was able to complete the physical test. After experiencing her own hardships, she guided a fellow cadet through the course and kept him from giving up.
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READY TO RAPPEL: Morell Boone readies
his safety harness before embarking on a
rappelling exercise during an ROTC
Leadership Training Course at Fort Knox
recently. The exercise involved a 37-foot
drop from a a skid that simulated a drop
from a helicopter.
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Going in, Boone himself wasn't sure if he could or would complete these assigned tasks, but he did. Pleased with how he faced the physical challenges presented, Boone said, "I made choices. The whole experience was about the process of deciding."
Capt. Dennis Barry, assistant professor of military science at EMU, acted as Boone's liaison and helped him prepare. Before he went through the training, Boone was provided literature and a battle dress uniform, advantages many of his participating colleagues did not enjoy.
In addition to the physical rigors, the 90 "guests" at the LTC also learned more about the curriculum and purpose of the course from those involved, including second lieutenants.
"It was neat because we got to meet products that came out of the program," Boone said.
Boone was truly impressed with the whole experience. On the final day, Boone and his class of 90 academic leaders graduated with the 1,200 new second lieutenants.
"At the graduation ceremony, a general said, 'It doesn't matter if you become a second lieutenant after this 28 days. You're still going to become a better citizen,'" Boone said. "And this happened to me."
Of his experience, Boone said that he "still hadn't taken it all in," but was very proud of the young people and leaders who defend America. Although he is not teaching this summer, Boone said he would share with his students what he learned at the LTC.
