Now that I am in the middle of my yuk 1st semester, it makes me try to remember everything I was able to do this summer and not let it just disappear as my head becomes filled with Arabic, Calculus and Philosophy.
I had amazing opportunity this summer to attend Air Assault School after Bukner, while it did give me a couple extra days of leave, which was nice; it was such a great opportunity for me to have. It was truly remarkable how much I learned in the 11 day school, in addition to how many over-head arm claps I did (I think during one morning PT we went to over 1000 of the 4-count exercise). The school culminated with 75ft Rappel out of a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter and a 12 Mile Ruk March. And that is really one of the best things about West Point, its ability to send you to such a variety of different summer programs, schools, and places.
At Bukner or Cadet Field Training I was able to drive in and fire an A1 Abrams Tank, fire and load a Howitzer Cannon. And a use slew of other great weapons like; 25mm, Mk19, M2 .50 cal, and a lot of range time with my M4, with a M68 Red Dot Scope. I learned about the Field Artillery Branch, the infantry, Armor, Engineers and a ton of very useful military knowledge.
Whether it’s a AIAD or a MDS, West Points networks and connections set up cadets up to have fantastic summers. Just as a couple examples of Military Schools some other cadets in my company were able to attend; Sapper Leader Course, Expert Marksmen, Combat Leader School, Stryker and Mechanized Leader Courses, and some of my company mates also attended SERE-Survival, Evasion, Resistance, & Escape School. As I continue to with my west point career I hope to take full advantage of this great aspect of West Point.
This is my bukner Squad leader, some of my squad, and I in front of an Abrams Tank after our mock tank battle in Ft. Knox.
-CDT Gregory Elgort
Co. D3 USCC 2012