Four days in KY

[Steadfast]

Got back yesterday from the training course in KY - I had a blast and learned a lot and survived pretty well. Got some great new ways to approach projects and teams at work, understand myself a bit better, wish it coulda been longer.

We could really see that when the leadership, teamwork and communication were all firing, it made the difference between getting annihilated and succeeding. When they weren't, we were stuck, pinned down making mud angels, trying as individuals to do what only a team can do.

The things and just the culture I've picked up here was fun to see in action and useful. The two tabbed 3/75 Rangers who were our classroom and field instructors were great - Just Cause vets, funny, hard, extremely good at what they do, careful, honest, teachers. I loved just being around them and hearing their stories. (I asked them for some batteries for the old chem lights, just to see them grin. :) )

My HHQ (1st ever husband/wife team to go through the class) did great. They were glad we were there as parents of a paratrooper, knowing that what we were going through would make relating to our son easier. It is already fun to see how doing this together has added to what we have between us. We were the FOGs but kept up just fine. Pics to follow soon.

Got lots of bruises - probably gave a few, too. The barely fed us, and let us sleep maybe 5 hours a night. Got my brown spoon.

Guess I'm ready for whatever's next!

LC Class 2-05 Graduate

I'm glad you were successful in completing this class Ardent Lady. I don't believe I could have survived that same course in this day and age myself. Congratz in being a Lady Hardcharger!


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[Spartan]

Remember, Flex cuffs have no normal place in the corporate workplace.

[Ardent Lady]

These pictures are taken at the Leading Concepts Training Area, 300+ acres of remote Kentucky hill country. The early spring woods were beautiful with the dogwoods in full bloom. I couldn't help but notice the violets and snowdrops and other wildflowers under foot as we patrolled and escaped and climbed the hills. Us Florida folk are NOT used to dealing with elevation of any kind. Those hills were steep!

Camp Lead



First Team LC, and Shane, our Field Instructor



Barracks



Classroom. This is the first day, our introduction to the Planning Sequence. Alpha team is to the left side of the picture, the leadership across the top of the U with the Alpha Team Leader, Platoon Leader (actually more of a squad leader, but called the PL), Bravo Team Leader (me, for the moment), and then Bravo team down the top of the pic - one medic and two security team members: 9 people total. The shadowy character in the corner is our Classroom Instructor, Dean.



Here we are in file, on our way to our next recon objective.



Shane, in green, and Dean.



The PL at work



Sharing the MREs



The final night mission didn't go as anyone planned, not us by design of HHQ, and not as they had planned either. After a missed ambush, First Team LC was given a task no other team had ever been given, because the HHQ decided that we were ready, and conditions were right. We were given the mission for a midnight raid on the MODD (Make Our Day Difficult) camp to take out the MODD and capture any and all supplies. We came away successful with real cans of soup and this cannon.



One of the MODD, after the last battle.



After each mission we had to write a Reflect/Connect sheet about it and how Teamwork, Leadership and Communication worked in the mission, and then connect that to our own situations - what would we do differently, knowing what we now know. This is after the final mission: note the PL's glassy look. Long weekend :)



LC Ranger TLC Class 2-05



Dean, author of the book that this course demonstrates.



Shane, our guide and Ranger Patrolling Instructor. In a firefight we'd get pinned down and he'd call out "Whatcha gonna do, PL? Make a decision!"



Us - the first time a married couple has come to the Course together. People have met their significant others on these in the past :)



After leaving camp, we got cleaned up, returned to civilian clothes and had a banquet - prime rib, beverages of choice, all the good stuff. One of the MODD - code name Chainsaw - joined us and there were lot of stories to tell and we laughed a lot.



Look out! ;)



It was a great training course. Through it the things that the Rangers have used to lead the way in battle are being translated into business strategies that work and will make American businesses more effective. The motto was: LC Rangers Lead The Way - no disrespect intended. We only could do this because you all have Led The Way before us.

[Chiron]

The early spring woods were beautiful with the dogwoods in full bloom. I couldn't help but notice the violets and snowdrops and other wildflowers under foot

Leave it to you to notice this while at "school".

Anyway looked like fun for you.

[Ardent Lady]

The early spring woods were beautiful with the dogwoods in full bloom. I couldn't help but notice the violets and snowdrops and other wildflowers under foot

Leave it to you to notice this while at "school".

Anyway looked like fun for you.

I was talking about the flowers and all over MREs and one of the others asked me "Are we walking through the same woods?" with that "You are crazy" look on her face. :)

I probably am - what can I say? :)

[Chiron]

The important thing is that you did it and that you are happy with that.