Airmen learn the ropes to working as team

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jazmin Smith
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Airmen from Whiteman Air Force Base participated in an all-day ropes challenge course hosted by the Tucker Leadership Lab June 17, 2015, in Liberty, Missouri.

Through the Community Culture of Responsible Choices program in conjunction with the "Wing It" program, upward of 1,000 members from Team Whiteman have participated in the course since it began in June of last year.

Upon arrival, members were divided into smaller groups and as an icebreaker, they were instructed to give their name, a bucket list goal and the coolest place their shoes have been. Following a warm-up, the Airmen were guided to the course where the challenges awaited.

"We have over 40 challenges and obstacles on our low course," said Dusty Gleason, Tucker Leadership Lab director. "The Odyssey is set up with four challenges per level and we have two levels. What makes it interesting though is that each facilitator has the freedom to alter the challenges in a unique way. One team may have to cross blindfolded, while another team has to cross carrying an object together and the third team might have to do the challenge without speaking."

Professional facilitators guide the groups in discussions while focusing on building upon leadership, team-building skills and how to be responsible with alcohol. When asked by the facilitator during one of the exercises on how to be responsible with alcohol, each Airman gave his or her input: go out in groups, watch to make sure no one puts anything in their drink and always ensure there is a designated driver or safe way home.

"Every facilitator adds their life experience to each group," said Gleason. "An example from a group I worked last summer occurred on our team balance beam. When a mistake was made and the balance beam hit the ground, I related that to taking another shot or drinking another beer. Each time the balance beam touched the ground we would bring it back to the fact that the more a person drinks, the more they start to become a liability."

With most of the obstacles, the equipment and techniques facilitators had Airmen use were metaphorical for conflicts they might have to overcome. From the pillars to the blindfolds, participants learned the importance of support, communication and reliance in their Wingmen.

"The lessons focused on team building and trusting each other," said Senior Airman Travis Dowler, 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron hydraulics system journeyman. "They were applied by figuring out how to talk to other people and communicate in the most progressive way possible. For instance, when blindfolded you relied on others to give you guidance. The loss of sight made you communicate more clearly and calmly than normal."

Clasped hands, linked arms and a lot of balancing helped the teams get through each task, but what really made the difference was the direction given by those before them. Airmen faced multiple hurdles designed to break their connection, but through solid communication, everyone learned to move at a pace that worked for others in the group and to warn their team members of obstacles.

"We try to make each activity fun, challenging and engaging," said Gleason. "At the end, we link it to responsible decision-making, teamwork, looking out for one another and taking responsibility for the choices you make and how they affect the entire team. Each Airman has a unit on base, but the base can only function at its fullest capacity if each of those units is synced up and working together.

"The choices that each individual Airman makes have implications that ring throughout the entire base," added Gleason. "We are trying to get them to think about the big picture. Individually they may only be a small piece of the Air Force, but what they choose to do have huge impacts on the success of the base as a whole."

Airmen who are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity can contact their first sergeant for more information on how to register.