Cadets complete leadership training

Dick Benoit

Thursday, July 11, 2002 | 9:27 a.m.

Junior ROTC cadets from Western, Rancho, Durango, Palo Verde and Valley high schools recently completed Summer Leadership School at Nellis Air Force Base.

Cadets of Mohave High School, Ariz., also completed the weeklong program.

"This is the cadets' first true exposure to active duty," said Master Sgt. Murial Howell, Junior ROTC Summer Leadership coordinator and full-time Airman Leadership School chief at the base.

The cadets completed a physical training regimen beginning at 5 a.m. each morning before attending classes about Air Force customs and courtesies, standards and discipline, group dynamics, team development, financial management and the Military Code of Conduct, Master Sgt. Rich Covington, a Nellis spokesman, said.

The cadets also received training in military drill and underwent dormitory and uniform inspections.

"This is a great program," Vicki Chamberlain, mother of Cadet Eric Chamberlain, said.

"He strives to be the best in everything he does," added Don Chamberlain, father of the Western High School student. "This program gives him more confidence and pride."

Graduate honors for the leadership school went to Allan Tan of Durango High School. Distinguished graduates were Dawn Newell and Phillip Manalo of Durango and George Adefna of Rancho High School.

The Leadership Award was won by Hay Wyrick of Rancho, and Clinton Wood of Western earned the Drill Master Award.

Quality kitchen work

Army Sgt. 1st Class Mark Mansfield, son of Jean and Lloyd Dillard of Las Vegas, has been named the Commanding General's Mess Specialist of the quarter at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Mansfield's selection was based on his exemplary duty performance, job knowledge, leadership qualities, significant self-improvement, and other notable accomplishments, the Army said.

In brief

The technical training prepares the soldier to act and perform duties and responsibilities in the noncommissioned officer's particular job specialty while serving as a squad leader, team or section chief.

Watschinger is a heavy wheeled vehicle operator.

The school is a five-week professional development course to prepare promising airmen to be effective noncommissioned officers. It is the first of three levels of professional military education airmen must complete before being promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.

Griffin is an inventory management journeyman assigned to the 355th Supply Squadron.