Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1373276
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MAY 19-25, 2021 UCW 13 COVER when I heard about this, I jumped because I wanted to understand more about what my hus- band was doing. By doing this, I can connect on a different level having seen for myself what he talks about. I really never thought I would have the opportunity to do this." Jamie's husband has been in the Army 8 years, and is now in the SFQC. "is is the first time I've gotten to see Camp Mackall and having the op- portunity to experience new thing and meet new people sounded great to me. It is also pretty neat to learn how make a weapon from thing you pick up off the ground." While most of the attendees were not success- ful with the atlatl, Jewels, a former soldier, and athlete, hit the target dead center multiple times. "I'm really interested in what he has been do- ing, and while I am prior military it's cool to see the SOF side of the house. is is a good group of women, and we are having a lot of fun together." e bonding of spouses is one of the goals of Family Programs. Carolyn Roberson, the Senior Advisor to Family Programs, is the spouse of Maj. Gen. Patrick Roberson, the SWCS Commander. Having lived the Army life, Carolyn explained that the bonds between military spouses are impor- tant, particularly when soldiers are deployed or away at training. She noted that having a support system of people who know what you are going through is key to navigating Army life. Having helped plan the event, she was excited to see the bonds that were formed by the spouses and their willingness to try new things and tackle obstacles. Prior to leaving the SERE area, the attendees had a chance to taste the offerings of the "Road Kill Café." e day's menu was comprised of bea- ver, otter, goat, deer and raccoon that was cooked by the cadre. e majority of the spouses at least took a bite or two of the offerings, with one woman noting that it "wasn't that bad." Elia is a native of Colombia, but her husband is a Special Forces Medic, who previously served in 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), but is now an instructor at the Special Warfare Medical Group, which trains ARSOF medics. "When we were in Colombia, I didn't get to see or know much about what he did and didn't have the opportunity to see it," she said. "So I wanted to come out and see and learn." e excitement grew as the six teams ap- proached Nasty Nick. While some of the attend- ees were hesitant as they approached the obstacle course, Aisha grew more excited. "Specifically, I wanted to see these obstacles." She not only saw them, she also got a chance to climb them, cross them and vault across them (the vault wasn't very successful); however, the teams came together to lift, push and pull one another across – which is symbolic of the way spouses support one another while their soldiers are deployed: ey come together as "one team." A spouse navigates an apparatus on the "Nasty Nick" obstacle course at Camp Mackall. Spouses of soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center and School assemble at Camp Mackall to begin a day at the Spouse Q-Course, where they will get a taste of what their soldiers experience in training. An Army spouse practices shooting a bow — an impor- tant skill for hunting and defense. A spouse samples the "Road Kill Cafe," a lesson in find- ing protein to eat if caught behind enemy lines. Spouses get up close and personal with a reptilian training aide as part of the Spouse Q-Course. JANICE BURTON, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomigweek- ly.com 910-484-6200. (All photos for Cover Story by K. Kassens, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.)