Senior NCOs hike for fitness

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Eric M. Grill
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A group of about 65 Team Edwards senior noncommissioned officers went on an early-morning 4.5 mile hike through the Mojave Desert here April 11.

The hike, which started at 6:30 a.m., was part of the monthly senior NCOs' "Fit to Fight" team building exercise. Besides the hike itself, Team Edwards chief master sergeants also took the opportunity to mentor their fellow senior NCOs and use the vast terrain of the desert as examples of leadership.

"To me, this hike, like our past formation runs, is yet another way for senior NCOs to bond into a cohesive team," said Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Soltis, 412th Test Wing command chief. "Some say we could bond and grow camaraderie by meeting at the club for beers, but there's something to be said about the challenge of the chosen event itself."

In the past, the senior NCOs would run a two-mile set route in formation by the Rosburg Fitness Center and the Base Exchange and Commissary complex. This 4.5-mile fitness walk and hike was a departure from that.

"It's another way to outwardly show we embrace where the Air Force went...not where it's going," Chief Soltis said. "Fit to fight -- fit to carry one's self and one's own gear into battle -- with the strength and determination necessary to carry their Wingman back out of harms way can't happen overnight. It has to be part of our daily lives."

Talking about how the idea of the hike came to fruition, Chief Master Sgt. Luis Drummond, 412th Operations Group superintendent, said "for me hiking in the desert started-off as a way to get fit. Fitness is a huge issue for our Airmen today and making fitness apart of our culture and daily life is a leadership challenge."

One way Chief Drummond said he believes we are able to incorporate fitness into a person's lifestyle is by making it fun.

"For me walking on a tread-mill (while) watching TV or running circles around a track isn't very exciting," Chief Drummond said. "But by combining my love of nature, the history of the base and the camaraderie of walking with a Wingman, I discovered a physical activity that I truly enjoy."

Edwards has hills and hiking trails that have been here for years and have been appreciated and used by off-road enthusiasts and horse back riders, Chief Drummond said.

Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis, 95th Air Base Wing command chief, first used the idea of the hike as a team-building and awareness exercise for an Airmen Leadership School class that recently graduated. During that hike, the students were asked to be opened minded and spend a little time taking in the sights as they climbed up the hills. Like with the Senior NCOs on their hike, at every hill top a different Chief would spend five minutes talking about a motivational subject.

"The impact was phenomenal not only for the (Airmen) but for all the chiefs as well," Chief Drummond said. "The feedback from the chiefs was to invite all Team Edwards senior NCOs to join in the hike."

During one of the mentoring sessions on top of one of the peaks for the senior NCOs, Chief Master Sgt. Eric Jaren, 95th Mission Support Group superintendent, asked everyone to look to the mountains on the horizon and follow it around for 360 degrees. He then asked everyone to point in the direction the group was headed after the mentoring session. Everyone pointed to a different bearing. He used this as an example of leadership.

"Everyone needs to have a definite course, not just professionally, but direction for your life," Chief Jaren said. "We need to set goals and milestones and continue to grow throughout our lives. Without it, you don't know where you're headed or when you'll get there and end up wasting time."

The overwhelming response from the senior NCOs, ALS students to Chiefs is that they enjoyed the experience, Chief Drummond said.

"Most Airmen at Edwards never get out and truly enjoy what nature has provided us," he said. "The desert isn't lifeless, it's teaming with life...you just need to take the time to see and appreciate it.

"As leaders we must not be afraid to explore different and innovative ways to deal with and solve problems," Chief Drummond continued. "When you are on top of a hill overlooking the entire base...it gives you perspective that you didn't know existed."