An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Dec. 17, 2018

N.Y. National Guard Soldiers test problem-solving skills

By Sgt. Matthew Kratts 642nd Aviation Support Battalion

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Sixteen Officers and NCOs from the New York National Guard's 642nd Aviation Support Battalion spent their December drill weekend honing their teamwork and problem solving skills at the United States Military Academy's Leadership Reaction Course.

The goal, according to Lt. Col. Shawn Hatch, the battalion's commander, was to get to know his battalion staff and leadership while also practicing skills to lead high-performing teams.

"Coming in as the new BC (battalion commander), I wanted a way to get to know my commanders and staff, develop a team and camaraderie between all individuals, and have a venue to teach and reinforce some leadership skills," Hatch said.

The leadership reaction course, which is located behind the Thayer Hotel West Point, consists of five obstacles with a scenario, a designated leader and a time limit of 14 minutes to accomplish the mission.

The group was broken up into two teams of eight, which were comprised of 642nd company commanders, first sergeants and battalion staff members.

Hatch, in civilian life a representative for a local ministry at West Point, and his wife, Marie Lou Hatch (a West Point alumnus) coordinated and oversaw the exercise.

Each obstacle required the team to get from point A to point B but differed on how to accomplish the mission.

Three of the obstacles required planks that were used to get the team across a raging river or to deliver ammo cans to a depleted platoon. Some of the planks were different sizes, which required the designated leader to plan and adjust as team members were climbing across.

"It definitely exceeded my expectations." said Master Sgt.Joel Beardsley, the 642nd battalion operations NCO.

Beardsley recognized that each obstacle was unique. "Just because you try and complete an obstacle one way, doesn't mean you try to solve it the same way on a similar obstacle," he said.

One of the harder obstacles involved climbing over a wall during a "jail break" in which the scenario required noise discipline. Hatch would even freeze the team in mid-air as a "guard" walked by and required only whispering to communicate the plan.

According to 1st Lt. Jessica Persoon, the battalion safety officer, the most challenging part was leading her peers.

"This is the first time being in a leadership position in front of some of my peers, so it's natural to fear looking incompetent," she said.

At the start of each obstacle the team would appoint a new leader to develop a plan and execute.

Persoon said the course overall was fun and had some teachable moments.

"On the last obstacle the goal was to get everyone across and we ended up taking an ammo can with us when we weren't supposed to, so that was a good teaching point, make sure you actually understand the commander's intent…so take the time and pay attention to details," she explained

Once the 14 minutes were up at each exercise Hatch and his wife would conduct an after action review (AAR).

"The whole exercise's success was demonstrated by the discussion and learning that occurred during and after the AAR's," Hatch said.

Hatch said the best moments were watching the light bulb come on when the team worked through the obstacle.

"I could see the teams develop in the short time we were on the obstacles. It is a great feeling to see the ‘light come on' when a leadership theory becomes practical and applicable through the exercise," he said.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...