Wartime simulation || YSU ROTC takes course to the park

By Elise Franco

efranco@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

YSU ROTC

Video

The city may not seem like the place to train future military recruits, but Youngstown State University has found a valuable partner in the Mill Creek MetroParks. Each spring ROTC cadets put to the test what they’ve learned throughout the year by doing real-life simulations on the park’s grounds, said Major Patrick Williams, ROTC officer in charge.

The city may not seem like the place to train future military recruits, but Youngstown State University has found a valuable partner in the Mill Creek MetroParks.

Each spring ROTC cadets put to the test what they’ve learned throughout the year by doing real-life simulations on the park’s grounds, said Maj. Patrick Williams, ROTC officer in charge.

“We do some squad movement, showing them how to move together through the woods,” he said. “We give them different scenarios and try to replicate a squad attack or assault and see if they can do it properly.”

Tom Bresko, MetroParks’ executive director, said the parks have paired with the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps for about 30 years.

“I think it’s nice to be good neighbors and partner with a valued organization,” he said. “We’re a very unique habitat here in the community, and it gives them an opportunity to get some practice outdoors.”

About 30 of the ROTC’s 40-member squad spent Thursday morning running platoon drills in the woods by Lake Glacier in Youngstown. Williams said it was the first time the cadets ran a drill at the platoon level this year.

Williams said the platoon and squad leaders, usually junior-level cadets, will come up with a plan as to how they’ll complete their mission. Meanwhile, senior-level cadets will either act as the enemy or stand by to observe and critique the mission.

“They’ll try to replicate a real wartime scenario,” he said. “Of course they’re going to make mistakes; they always do.”

Michael Kachelries, senior cadet, said the MetroParks provides the proper surroundings to help the cadets strengthen their skills.

“It gives us a good, distinct environment,” he said. “It definitely prepares” the younger cadets.

David Bruno, junior cadet, said he takes advantage of the park to refine his training.

“Here we have every terrain possible,” he said. “It’s really helping me to hone my skills to become a successful officer in the military.”

Williams said YSU’s cadets are fortunate to train at the MetroParks’ wooded areas because it helps them to be as prepared as possible for military life.

“When they graduate, they’ll go off to become platoon leaders in the Army, and some of them will go straight to an officer basic course,” he said. “And a lot of them could find themselves in Iraq immediately, so it’s important to give them as realistic an experience as possible.”