Camaraderie, strength, excellence: Academy cadets to compete at Sandhurst Published March 21, 2014 By Amber Baillie Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Academy cadets are getting ready to brave rigorous terrain, frigid waters and a trying obstacle course to showcase their skills and camaraderie. Nine cadets, freshman-to-senior, will compete in the U.S. Military Academy's annual Sandhurst Military Skills Competition April 11-12 at West Point, N.Y. to demonstrate their team and leadership abilities and test their athletic proficiency. "You never know what exactly will happen at the competition," said Cadet 2nd Class Erin Barela. "Last year we showed up to the competition and they had swapped one event for another so we had to learn on the spot." Cadets compete in rifle and pistol competitions, land navigation, a rope bridge obstacle and face grenade and heavy weapons challenges at Sandhurst. The Academy has competed in the rugged competition since 2002. "It's a whole different game to perform physically, maintain heightened mental agility through physical discomfort and fatigue and perform well throughout," said team member Cadet 1st Class Chase Ronsman. Last year at Sandhurst, the Academy team placed 16th overall, and within the top 10 in Colt M-4 Carbine marksmanship, land navigation and the rope-bridge. There are 18 cadets on the team and nine will compete at Sandhurst. "If a cadet makes the team, they must show drive, motivation, the ability to work well in teams and the ability to know when to exercise leadership and followership," said Tech. Sgt. Jon Hyder, an Academy Military Trainer and NCO in-charge of the Sandhurst team. Cadet 1st Class Courtney Bailey, a member on the team, said the land navigation event requires one to be highly proficient at using a compass, reading a map and finding numerous points in a designated time limit. "It's the most challenging event," she said. "To be the best in land navigation, a team must be physically fit and be able to run up and down hills, through brush and other obstacles the team encounters for three to four hours." I've learned more military skills from Sandhurst than I have anywhere else, Barela said. "From leadership skills, internal and external motivation, physical fitness, skill competency, logistical management to working in a team and building international relationships, Sandhurst has been an important part of my development," she said. "Aside from that, my teammates are my best friends and we make sure to take care of each other emotionally during rough times but also in achieving goals." Ronsman said he was drawn to the team because he wanted to be on one of the hardest working and tight-knit teams at the Academy. "Past and present members have taught and continue to teach me how to be a good team leader, how to put the team first, how everybody has something to provide for the team, and how to push past your mental and physical limits, among other things," he said. In February, the team competed in the SEAL Platoon Invitational Challenge hosted by Texas A&M University, placing second overall. Hyder said the team is also looking into competing at the Iron Owl Competition in May hosted by Oregon Tech. "The team is relatively small and allows each member to exercise the fundamental elements of becoming a leader," he said. "All of the Air Force leadership competencies are put into play: adaptability, building teams and coalitions, developing and inspiring others, negotiating and taking care of people." Sandhurst offers skills that will prove useful in fields such as combat rescue and special tactics, Hyder said. "Skills such as handling sudden changes that affect you and your teammates, teamwork in small tactical team units, bringing out the best in yourself and in your subordinates and teammates, and physical conditioning," he said. The team trains for Sandhurst 12-to-15 hours every week at Jacks Valley, Kettle Lake and Clune Arena.