The teams training wasnt over yet, as the victory meant they would
go on to compete in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition in New
York at West Point. The challenge is a 27-mile long course and includes a
number of military obstacle events like grenade launching and rowboat
exercises. On April 12-13, Team Diesel competed against ROTC teams from
across the country that placed first in the various regional
competitions, as well as some international teams.
Although the team did not win, they should be proud of their
performance, said Thomas Rieck, senior military science instructor and
the teams coach.
Claudia herself, shes an alpha type personality which we
encourage all our cadets to be as future leaders in the military but
shes definitely an A type among A types, Rieck said. Fostering
fellowship and everything, and the camaraderie is half the battle and
keeping morale up. I think she walked the balance very well.
Bacon said Sandhurst was the most difficult thing she has ever done.
She described it as taxing on both the body and the mind. But she was
determined to finish and learned so much about herself in the process.
I learned how far I can push myself, she said. I thought that I
knew what pain was, but I actually didnt know how far I could take it. I
got to a point where I thought I would be struggling, but I realized if
you keep your head in the game, you keep your head down and you keep
going, you really can keep going.
In that moment, Bacon said she also realized the true meaning of leadership.
Ever since my first year on the team, I constantly heard, 'If you arent doing it for yourself, do it for the guy or girl sucking just as much next to you,'
Bacon said. Anytime Im hurting, I dont look at quitting or slowing
down as an option. You keep going because you care about your team, and
you care about the blood, sweat and tears everyone of them have put
into the team.
Bacon ranked second among the 50 team captains for her leadership.
Aside from ROTC, Bacon also fell in love with CrossFit while at the
University. She became a certified trainer and taught a few evening
classes throughout the week at the Carpenter Sports Building. Bacon said
she also enjoys cooking and trying new things. During the spring
semester, she went skydiving and axe throwing for the first time.
Reflecting on her time at UD, Bacon said the ROTC program and her
experience as a leader of the special team of cadets was the stepping
stone to find the career of her dreams. She encourages all students to
make the most of their college experience.
College is one of the best places to meet people, Bacon said. I
think meeting people can teach you a lot about yourself and about life
in general. You never ever know who youll meet, so I think getting
involved and just being outgoing and friendly and taking advantage of
opportunities is definitely the most valuable thing I learned.
Team Diesel 2018-19 Members
The 2019 team that competed in the 4th Brigade Ranger Challenge and
the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition included: Claudia Bacon,
Patrick Thomas, Matthew Daniels, Nick Layton, Lucas Partlow, Alex
Laundree, Connor Shields, Luke Granbois, Matthew Chybicki, Lauren Gomez,
Dylan Connors, Jake Campbell, Celena DeLara and Paul Giesing. For
2019-20, Partlow and Lundree will serve as co-captains for the team.
Article by Carlett Spike; photos by Kathy F. Atkinson and courtesy of Claudia Bacon
Published July 1, 2019