Outbacks
The Chippewa Battalion hosts three annual Cadet Outbacks. The outbacks are focused on developing the MSIII cadets (usually academic juniors) and preparing them for the National Leadership Development Assessment Course (LDAC).
The Fall Outback is focused on developing the individual skills of the cadet and honing what they’ve learned in the classroom. Cadets participate in Land Navigation and STX Lanes. Cadets are assessed in their ability to employ the skills they’ve learned so far, as well as their methods of motivating and developing their fellow cadets.
The Spring Patrolling Outback is much more intensive on fostering the team mentality that will get them through the hardships they face over the course of the weekend, and will eventually face at LDAC. The grueling patrols and personal challenges that face the cadets teach them to rely on their classmates, and further cements the leadership and warrior philosophies taught in class.
The MSIII Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) Outback also takes place in spring. This day-long outback takes cadets to a pop-up military rifle range where they group, zero, and qualify with the M-16 Rifle. The aim of this outback is to provide confidence in the individual cadet’s marksmanship abilities. Providing basic familiarity with marksmanship techniques of the Army, and then applying them, ensures the cadets success with BRM at LDAC.
