FTX - 2001
Survival of the Fittest
In August of 1999 Beartooth Composite Squadron hosted its first annual Field Training Exercise, cadets
were instructed in shelter building, snares, first aid, rope work, communications, land navigation, sources
of water and cadets spent a night in luxurious Le Hotel de Poncho. This May cadets will
be given a much more advanced course, spending an additional night in the field and instructed in more
advanced topics.
Packing list:
The most important thing you can bring is your mind. Be alert, take care of yourself and your team. And
never do anything that would endanger yourself or your team. Any cadet found doing so will
immediately be removed from the exercise, and will face disciplinary action.
The second most important thing is water. All cadets will be required to carry a minimum of 2 quarts
of water. Two one-quart military style canteens are recommended.
A swiss-army style pocket knife is highly recommended, other knives are permitted, with the approval
of the cadets team leader. Any cadet found "playing" with a knife will have the knife confiscated, and
the cadet may be removed from the exercise.
Paracord is optional, as the team leaders will each be bringing 50 feet, however as any previous graduate
will tell you, paracord is one of the most useful items on earth.
Each cadet is required to bring a disposable type space blanket, this will serve as your bunk for the exercise.
These can easily be bought at Wal-Mart for $3.
Small, personal first aid kit. For treatment of minor personal injuries, small travel-size packets of over-the-counter
medications are acceptable. Any prescription medications must be cleared my the activity director.
Depending on the fire hazard, fires will most likely not be permissible. Cadets are still allowed to bring
a small, disposable-type cigarette lighter in their gear. However, any cadet found "playing" with fire
will be immediately expelled.
Insect repellant, a whistle, canteen cup, watch, compass, bandanna, and Family Radio Service
handheld radio are all recommended.
Backpacks are not recommended, instead a pistol belt with suspenders and a military style buttpack
should hold most of your gear. If you need a backpack to carry your gear around, you're packing way
too much.
Contraband:
As the primary goal of this FTX is to teach survival, cadets should not bring items they would not have
with them in a survival situation. Sleeping bags, tents and rappelling equipment are not needed and will not
be brought unless you are otherwise instructed by your team leader. Likewise, electronic devices, other
than those listed in the packing list will not be carried into the field.
Unless otherwise instructed or authorized, you will not bring any extra food with you. You will arrive on a
Friday night having already eaten dinner, you may or may not "miss" meals out in the field. Be prepared
to go without having your stomachs every whim satisfied for a day. If you have any special dietary needs
inform your team leader or the activity director.
Any cadet found with alcohol, tobacco, or pornographic materials in their gear will be immediately expelled.
This list is not inclusive, common sense will be used.
Team Composition:
A team will consist of 3 team members, and one team leader. Team leaders will be chosen from the
available pool of cadre(cadets who have attended in previous years.) Rank & Grade have no
place at an FTX, it is simply the cadets with the most experience. If there are no available cadre
for a given assignment or if the available cadre are not deemed qualified, then the activity director
will pick the cadet with the most experience in survival & leadership.
A team member should never be separated from their team leader, for no reason should a cadet
leave his team, unless ordered by his team leader. Likewise, unless specifically ordered by the activity director,
the team leader will never leave his team. As such there is little need for an Assistant Team
Leader unless the team leader sees a clear need for one. If the team leader chooses, he may rotate
communications duty among the team members.
Cadets will be assigned to their team well in advance of the activity, and it is the team leaders responsibility
to see that their cadets arrive with all the necessary items listed in the packing list. The team leader should
personally call each cadet on his team, let them know what he expects from them, inform them if there
have been any changes to the activity, and ensure that they are fully prepared for the activity.
Team leaders are responsible for everything the cadets assigned to them do, or fail to do.