Air Force wrestling camp takes on special operations feel
6/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Campers at this week's Air Force wrestling camp are experiencing something different than your normal camp. Air Force head coach Sam Barber has transformed the normal camp into a special operations camp, featuring physical testing, leadership training, wrestling tactics, Greco Roman wrestling training, Air Force core values training and a tour of the Olympic Training Center. Barber has also assembled an all-star cast to lead the camp.
Along with Barber, Air Force assistant coaches Bart Horton and Chris Heilman are leading the camp. Col. Kurt Buller of Air Force special operations is on board, along with an all-star cast of special operations personnel. USA Wrestling Greco Roman head coach Matt Lindland and women's freestyle head coach Terry Steiner are each on hand as well. Former Air Force All-American Cole Von Ohlen and Air Force Prep School head coach Tim Alger are also coaches. Tim Fader, assistant coach at Wheaton College and Derek Sikora, assistant director of state services from USA Wrestling, round out the coaching group. In addition, wrestlers from the Academy, Wisconsin White Water and Wheaton are camp counselors.
"The sport of wrestling inherently teaches the core values of stamina, courage, and a warrior ethos, those values are also key core values in the Air Force Special Operation Career Field. The Academy being one of the world's greatest leadership laboratories just makes sense that we would also share the Air Force core values of excellence, integrity and service," Barber said.
The daily training and structure of the camp was the frame work to instill and teach the core values, but it is the location and staff that have made this week special and unique. The Air Force Special Operation Command supported by Lt. Gen (Ret) Donny Wurster, who connected the Academy to Col. (Ret) Kurt Buller, who formed an outstanding team of special operators. CMSgt (ret) Mike Lamonica, MSgt (ret) Joe O'Keefe, Maj. Dylan Newman, Capt. George Gavulic, and Senior Airman Jorge Hernandez provided leadership and personal examples of the outstanding Americans that Air Force produces. The melding of the special operators with the world class clinicians, coaches, and councilors crated an outstanding and unique camp experience for the campers.
"It's been a real privilege to connect world class special tactics airmen with Coach Barber's elite coaches to expose the wrestlers to the character traits required to win on the wrestling mat, dominate in combat, and succeed in life," Buller said. "Wrestlers traditionally do well in special operations because of the mental toughness and agility they've already demonstrated on the wrestling mat. Clearly we hope some of these wrestlers will choose to join the Air Force, and possibly special operations, to serve their nation in the years ahead, but even for those that choose a different route, I'm confident the experiences and challenges they tackle this week will help to prepare them for whatever career they choose."
Camper's days begin before 7 a.m. each day with special operations physical fitness, from maxing pushups, sit ups and pull-ups to a run in Stanley Canyon, pool training and buddy carry back. In addition, Col. Buller presents different aspects of leadership at various venues on campus to include the academic teaching areas. Campers' days end after 8 p.m. each day.
The schedule for the rest of the camp follows below:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
0645-0745 (Spec Ops PT - Pool Training)
Lead: Col Kurt Buller
Location: Wrestling Room - Transition to the pool **0700 Pool Time**
0815-0900 (Breakfast - Mitchell Hall)
0950-1000 (Weigh In - Team Room)
Skin Check - Wrestling Room
Logistics: Weigh In, Skin Check, Attendance - Wrestling Group
1000-1130 (Technique Session)
Lead: TERRY STEINER
Location: Wrestling Room
Training: Technique - TBD - FS 101, Leg Ride Counters
1215-1300 (Lunch - Clune Arena)
1300-1430 (Tour of Olympic Training Center)
Lead: Derek Sikora USA Wrestling
1530-1700 (Live Wrestling Session)
Lead: Tim Fader
Location: Wrestling Room
1730-1830 (Dinner- Mitchell Hall)
1930-2030 (Leadership Lab #3)
Lead: Kurt Buller
Location: Fairchild Hall - L2
Training: Resiliency
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
0610-0710 (Spec Ops PT - Run Out 20 Minutes Buddy Carry Back)
Lead: Bart Horton
0730-0900 (Breakfast - Mitchell Hall (counselors escort wrestlers to and from)
0950-1000 (Weigh In - Team Room (2 scales)
Skin Check - Wrestling Room
1000-1145 (Technique Session)
Lead: COLE VON OHLEN
Location: Wrestling Room
Training: Technique - : Turns from top position, leg counters from bottom position
1215-1300 (Lunch - Clune Arena)
1500-1700 (Live Wrestling Session)
Lead: Sam Barber
Location: Wrestling Room
1730-1830 (Dinner- Mitchell Hall)
1930-2030 (Leadership Lab #4)
Lead: Kurt Buller
Location: Fairchild Hall - L2
Training: USAFA Admissions/Special Tactics Accessions
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
0610-0710 (Spec Ops PT - Monster Mash)
Lead: COL KURT BULLER
Location: Meet at PT Point (Outside SE Corner of Cadet Gym)
0730-0900 (Breakfast - Mitchell Hall (counselors escort wrestlers to and from)
0950-1000 (Weigh In - Team Room (2 scales)
Skin Check - Wrestling Room
1000-1200 (Wounded Warrior Session)
Lead: AFA COACHING STAFF/COL KURT BULLER
Location: Wrestling Room
1200-1230 (Graduation)
Lead: AFA COACHING STAFF/COL KURT BULLER
Location: Wrestling Room
