U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadet Squadron 09, also known as “Vikings Squadron,” waded through tough competition April 30 during Polaris Warrior here to take home the highest score.
Polaris Warrior is an annual cadet wing competition focused on team-building skills. Each of the 40 cadet squadrons at the U.S. Air Force Academy compete in a series of rigorous physical and educational challenges, including cyber-security challenges and obstacle courses.
“We didn’t win any events, but we did very well in all events,” said CS-09’s air officer commanding, Maj. Dustin Mowrey.
Cadets grappled with the weekend’s low temperature and snowfall, but the biggest challenge for CS-09 revolved around how teams were selected for the competition, said CS-09’s squadron commander, Cadet 1st Class Damon Kirkpatrick.
“Essentially, the teams were randomly put together,” he said. “In past competition, each cadet squadron selected teams from members of their squadron. This year, the names of all squadron members were sent to the Polaris Warrior staff and each squadron member was randomly placed in a Polaris Warrior course. The MOUT and cyber courses were selected by the squadron in the fall.”
Kirkpatrick and Mowrey chalk up their squadron’s success to its culture and climate.
“What we have going on in our squadron this year is special,” Mowrey said. “The safety and support for every cadet in the squadron, inspired by our very intentional and deliberately established culture and climate, allows us to focus on performance. Our squadron is very high-performing at all levels.”
Kirkpatrick said the squadron’s victory also hinged on teamwork.
“When we do anything, we do it for each other,” he said. “We’ve created a family atmosphere in the squadron where it’s a safe place to be. We take care of each other. From morale, welfare and recreation events to competition, the academic and athletics officers [in the squadron] all work toward common goals. The cadets seek excellence in all they do and we have a very high-performing team of freshman cadets. Their morale is very high.”
Mowrey said Kirkpatrick prepared the squadron months in advance of the competition.
“He had a huge role in our success,” he said. “He was preparing months ahead of time to advance and motivate the team and staff. Our win was not just happenstance. Cadet Kirkpatrick always leads by example and his cadet leaders lead by example. They’ve established an intrinsically self-motivating foundation for superior performance in the squadron.”
The squadron ranks as the Cadet Wing’s number 2 squadron but they have a chance to become the Academy’s top squadron by the time the Class of 2016 graduates here June 2.
“Were within a hare’s breath,” Mowrey said.
Mowrey said he monitored his squadron’s progress through the competition and had to control the urge to jump into the fray with his cadets.
“My role is to care, lead and empower -- that’s how I approach the job,” he said. “The honor of being the AOC for CS-09 has inspired and reinvigorated me to be a better man and a better officer.”
Brig. Gen. Stephen Williams, the commandant of cadets, said he’s proud of the cadet cadre and participants who took part in and organized such a large-scale event.
“This wasn't just a squadron competition of military skills, this was great training for our cadre members who planned, developed and executed a major exercise,” he said. “Even the poor weather didn't prevent them from accomplishing the mission. The variety of skills we exercised will help prepare cadets for the demands our Air Force will place on them. Congratulations to CS-09 for their victory, their yearlong training paid off.”
Cadet Squadron 13 took second place and CS-04 took third place.