Cadet-athletes get unique leadership experience at 2019 Gettysburg Leadership Summit
6/12/2019 2:45:00 PM | General
Air Force Academy cadet-athletes received valuable leadership training during the Fourth Annual Gettysburg Leadership Summit.
Modeled after a similar program at Army West Point, the leadership summit uses a battlefield tour to emphasize leadership, teamwork, and warrior ethos. Using the Battle of Gettysburg as an historical military context, the trip illustrates the importance of resiliency and toughness and encourages cadets to reflect on how historical lessons relate to their own leadership challenges. The battlefield tour itself took place on May 30 to June 1.
The focus of the trip was to illustrate the importance of making good, timely, moral decisions in the face of adversity, to foster effective and courageous peer leadership through communication and respect and to build more comprehensive goal-oriented teams. For both cadets and staff members in attendance, the theme and ultimate goal to produce leaders of character for the Air Force and nation, was reiterated through illustration of the sacrifices made by so many during this famous battle and all the conflicts since.
The Academy was represented by 12 faculty members, staff and coaches, in addition to 40 cadet-athletes representing all 27 sports, plus boxing and cheer.
"It was an amazing and humbling experience being on the same grounds where so many Americans gave their lives," senior hockey captain Matt Pulver said. "Going through some of the different battle scenarios and learning the leadership tactics that were used in battle, helped further my development as a captain of the hockey team for the upcoming season. This trip was definitely a success and I will use the knowledge I gained to lead and inspire the guys so we can get to the places we want to be as a team next season."
"This was a great experience and I learned a lot about the importance of the small details when it comes to leading people," Air Force senior men's basketball player Ryan Swan said.
Modeled after a similar program at Army West Point, the leadership summit uses a battlefield tour to emphasize leadership, teamwork, and warrior ethos. Using the Battle of Gettysburg as an historical military context, the trip illustrates the importance of resiliency and toughness and encourages cadets to reflect on how historical lessons relate to their own leadership challenges. The battlefield tour itself took place on May 30 to June 1.
The focus of the trip was to illustrate the importance of making good, timely, moral decisions in the face of adversity, to foster effective and courageous peer leadership through communication and respect and to build more comprehensive goal-oriented teams. For both cadets and staff members in attendance, the theme and ultimate goal to produce leaders of character for the Air Force and nation, was reiterated through illustration of the sacrifices made by so many during this famous battle and all the conflicts since.
The Academy was represented by 12 faculty members, staff and coaches, in addition to 40 cadet-athletes representing all 27 sports, plus boxing and cheer.
"It was an amazing and humbling experience being on the same grounds where so many Americans gave their lives," senior hockey captain Matt Pulver said. "Going through some of the different battle scenarios and learning the leadership tactics that were used in battle, helped further my development as a captain of the hockey team for the upcoming season. This trip was definitely a success and I will use the knowledge I gained to lead and inspire the guys so we can get to the places we want to be as a team next season."
"This was a great experience and I learned a lot about the importance of the small details when it comes to leading people," Air Force senior men's basketball player Ryan Swan said.
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