Cadets focus on military training during intersession

Story and photos by Pfc Nate Jastrzemski
SJA

After the holidays, most of us take it slow and ease our way back into the ebb and flow of the workplace, but the Corps of Cadets have no such luxury.

Since 1991, the days between the holiday break and resumption of classes have been filled with an activity period called Military Intersession.

Capt. Fritz McNair, Core Curriculum Coordinator for the Department of Military Instruction, describes Intersession as a "mini-semester" where the academy’s primary focus is military science. All 4,000 cadets study, live and learn the foundational science of the Army profession. From across the Army, Intersession 2002 also features some 14 guest-speaker events by prominent professionals such as military analyst Brig. Gen. (Ret.) David L. Grange and a panel of leaders from the 75th Ranger Regiment who recently returned from Afghanistan and Operation Enduring Freedom.

"This is an academy-wide effort," McNair said. "Everyone is involved -- more than 370 total instructors from all academy departments and the 98th Infantry Division (Army Reserve) are focused on developing the cadets’ professional military skills and knowledge of military theory and doctrine."

Last year, several new items were added to the program, such as computer simulations, which allow cadets to practice small-unit tactics and combat decision-making, right in the classroom, he added. McNair explained that this year, those successful instructional tools have only gotten better with enhanced graphics, sound and more realistic battlefield options -- such as calling for and adjusting artillery fire.

"We’ve also taken a step ahead in what we call ‘Theory to Practice,’" said McNair. "During Intersession, we teach the cadets the theory side of the military profession and in the summer, students practice and apply these learned concepts in the field environment. To help synchronize these two spheres of the educational process, we have started including the summer training branch officers in the Intersession program as Assistant Course Directors. They will help to ensure the sequential and progressive synergy of academic lessons from winter classes to summer training throughout the cadet 47-month learning experience."

McNair said each cadet class has a particular developmental experience during military intersession.

"Military Science 102 -- for the plebes -- illustrates the organization, weapons and equipment of an infantry platoon and the basics of leading squad- and platoon-level operations.

"MS 202 is designed to develop a deep understanding of what it means to be a professional military officer in yearlings."

The cows take MS 302, where they experience tactical decision-making exercises and learn the importance of each branch’s contribution to a small-unit engagement, McNair explained.

"Finally, the firsties, who are nearest graduation, are role-playing lieutenants. They experience situations that they might see as new platoon leaders in the programs capstone problem-based-learning course, MS 402. They also learn the applications of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, administrative law and media relations," McNair concluded.

Atop the other innovative new ways that cadets are learning during Intersession, MS 202 has begun a section this year that involves "getting acquainted" with an officer from generations past.

"We want the cadets to reflect on the sacrifices our profession demands," said MS 202 instructor and 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment Executive Officer Maj. Benjamin Webb. "The cadets should learn what being in this profession means to them personally, and what they can contribute to our country."

"The cadets always benefit from the Intersession experience because there are minimal competing requirements outside of the military science focus. It’s a great time to concentrate on the critical aspects of their professional careers," Webb added.