Sailors from Naval Operational Support Center Toledo, senior Navy Reserve leadership and staff from Toledo Metroparks partnered to provide a training evolution challenging Navy personnel physically and mentally in a day-long military skills course at Oak Openings Metropark in Whitehouse, Ohio, July 14, 2019.

Over 90 sailors received training on basic military knowledge and tactical skills before dispersing in nine teams to race through a 12-station course that put their newly refreshed knowledge and skills to the test. Teams earned points at each station depending on how proficiently they completed tasks or answered knowledge-based questions.  

The first-time event was in response to Sailor requests to get outside of the operational support center and away from computer and classroom training and do something hands on and operational.

 Instructors were the Sailors themselves, including Gunner’s mate Seaman Madison Otterson, one of the NOSCs most junior Reserve members, who taught on general military knowledge.

“I want people to hear my words and realize the importance of basic military knowledge, especially the Navy core values” she said.  “Even though I went through boot camp recently, I think this presentation is a great refresher for everyone.” 

Judges for the competition included Reserve Force Master Chief Chris Kotz, his executive assistant Senior Chief Personnel Specialist Jai Perez, and command master chiefs of the east and west coast Reserve surface forces; Keith Metcalfe, Naval Surface Force Atlantic and Bill Sherman, Naval Surface Force Pacific.

“This is exactly the kind of out-of-the-box thinking that generates out-of-the-box readiness,” said Kotz. “The military skills challenge event NOSC Toledo designed was outstanding. It’s this kind of collaborative, outside-the-box thinking that will engage and inspire our Sailors to take ownership of their own readiness. It was a five-star event! Kudos to the NOSC leadership.”

Physically, the teams performed field skills such as injured personnel drags and litter carries, combat application of a tourniquet, self-defense or hand to hand combat skills, and physical fitness expertise.

Mentally, the teams displayed their knowledge of shipboard signaling communication strategies, basic life support, as well as military rank and tradition.

Military skills were incorporated into the course including close order marching drill, flag folding and ceremonial flag passing, and land navigation.

Park program staff from Oak Openings Metropark administered challenges of their own including a canoe obstacle course, archery contest, and a tree climbing challenge.

Construction Electrician 1st Class (SCW) Jim Cassidy wore two hats as part of the team who organized the event. He is a member of the Navy reserve and is a park services supervisor for the Metroparks. He was able to help facilitate the partnership.

Cassidy explained that there have been outdoor skills stations at the Metroparks that program staff have utilized with the public and recently there has been work to take those stations and establish an outdoor skills challenge course that would be offered to groups and corporations. Allowing the Navy to use the park and integrating the outdoor skill stations was a win-win. The stations added to the Sailors course and the Metropark was able to test its own outdoor skills challenge.

Hospitalman Apprentice Kirsten Lewisfondren said the event was not what she expected. “It was more physical,” she said. “I was expecting more of a Q & A format that would not as been as interactive,” she explained also adding the park’s tree climb event helped her try something outside her comfort zone. “I loved it,” she said. "I’m afraid of heights, but I forced myself to do the rope tree climb. I feel very accomplished.”

“We set out to have a fun day not at the NOSC,” said Cmdr. Brandon Worl, NOSC commanding officer. “We wanted teambuilding and to increase everyone’s knowledge of skills they once learned or perhaps had not acquired up to today. I believe we hit the mark on those things,” he said.

Cmdr. Alexis Klassen, assistant officer in charge of Expeditionary Medical Facility Great Lakes One, Detachment U, spear-headed the event and spent over 150 hours planning, coordinating with the metropark, reviewing power point presentations and executing the event. "The goal of the military skills challenge was to utilize the knowledge, talent, skill sets, and resources that we have available to us to provide the Sailors of NOSC Toledo the opportunity to develop a wide variety of skills,” she explained. “We set out with a clear vision of how we wanted to accomplish this and more than surpassed our expectations," Klassen added.

“I thought today was great and it increased morale,” said Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Kaden Pegler. “It was really fun!  People seemed to really have a good time and enjoyed the experience.”

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