While most UNM students spent Monday putting their brains to the test, the University's Air Force ROTC detachment spent the day testing its strength and courage.
The detachment, called the Warhawks, put 26 of its 130 cadets through Kirtland Air Force Base's Confidence Course to build teamwork and test individual stamina and endurance.
"The Confidence Course is one of our biggest team building exercises," said Maj. David Vicker. "It's a good confidence builder and it forces the candidates to push themselves to the limit of their ability."
Vicker said participation in the course, which is voluntary, helps prepare the cadets for the mandatory Field Training course that every Air Force cadet must pass in order to graduate from ROTC.
Field Training is a rigorous four to six week program of physical conditioning and academics that assesses a cadet's potential of becoming an officer in the Air Force, Vicker said.
Maj. Michael Richmond, commander of cadets at UNM's Air Force ROTC, said cadets also participate in paint ball exercises, rifle marksmanship and compete with the University's other military ROTC branches to maintain interest in the program.
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"We put them through a fair amount of classroom education, so it's good to have the opportunity to get outside and get physical," Richmond said.
Richmond said the cadets are constantly reminded about the importance of physical fitness, especially in the military where an individual's capabilities can mean the difference between life and death.
"We're building the future leaders of our country here," Richmond said. "If these cadets can find the confidence to tackle these obstacles, they will have the confidence to take on any problem life throws at them."
The Confidence Course, an intimidating obstacle course deep inside Kirtland Air Force Base, includes a balance beam more than 10 feet in the air, numerous climbing walls and a large trench covered with barbed wire that cadets must navigate through.
The course left cadets with bruised knees, scratched arms and more than their share of splinters, said Monique Bramlette, the ROTC branch's cadet captain.
"Events like this are very important, especially for people training to be leaders," Bramlette said. "The average University student is going about their daily routine right now, while these students are out here voluntarily testing the limits of their abilities and striving to improve."
Bramlette said having the various ROTC programs at UNM is important for the student body, many of whom are unsure about what they want to do with their future.
"The ROTC programs are some of the biggest scholarship providers at UNM, and they are designed for the student who is interested in joining the military but are intimidated." she said. "It allows them to ease into the lifestyle and see whether or not it really is for them."
Richmond said the ROTC programs are benefiting from being on campuses nationwide as well. He said the military is getting diverse, well-informed leaders from all walks of life through university and college-based programs.
"It's not a coincidence that the military is training the majority of its future leaders on university campuses," Richmond said. "College students are exposed to many different ideas and are taught to look at reality through many perspectives. They enter the military with a deeper knowledge, which in turn positively influences the decisions they will make that will affect the future of our country."
