PHOTOS: Teens Get Military Experience at Camp Fretterd

“That’s how you should climb down my tower. It shouldn’t take you two years to get to the bottom!” shouted Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Christopher Martinez.

There were about 20 Civil Air Patrol cadets below Martinez waiting for their shot at rappelling 70 feet down the side of the building. Some would walk down the side, others were take small jumps down the tower in this military exercise.

The cadets were at Camp Fretterd last week for the week-long Tri-Wing Encampment. In addition to rappelling with National Guard experts, cadets took part in weapons training and simulations, medical training and other military exercises.

One hundred and thirty one cadets, 52 of which were staff members, got a true basic training experience. The cadets, who were ages 12 to 18, were up at 5 a.m. and in bed at 11 p.m. Although they got to play volleyball five of the seven nights they were at Camp Fretterd, the rest of the days were filled with drills, exercises, classroom learning and guest speakers.

Even the barracks the cadets stayed in had to be in tip-top shape. Beds had to be made, with ‘hospital corners’ folded tightly. Shoes, clothing and toiletries had their own places and order in the room.

Maj. Colin Carmello, leadership officer at encampment, says cadets get an interdisciplinary learning experience in which they learn many important life skills.

“What they’re supposed to learn here is how to follow,” he said. “You have to be able to follow in order to lead.”