The Challenge of the Guardian is inspired by the Guardian Ethos. Each of the 6 challenges for the event is based on a line from the Guardian Ethos. At the beginning of each challenge, the Guidon Bearer in charge of that challenge will say a few words on how the line applies to our daily lives as cadets and future officers. The first two lines of the Guardian Ethos are addressed during the welcoming/kickoff brief held on this Sunday night. The last two lines are addressed during the Challenge of the Guardian Ceremony held on this upcoming Friday.
Though the Challenge of the Guardian is going to be carried out this week as an event, the challenge is much more than that; the true Challenge of the Guardian is to live the Guardian Ethos in our daily lives.
The Class of 2012 will be split into 6 groups and each group will rotate through the challenges. The groups are named for the 6 training ships that have been associated with training Coast Guard Cadets: DOBBIN, CHASE, ITASCA, DANMARK, HAMILTON, EAGLE.
The challenges will be held Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning from 0635-0715 and Monday and Tuesday evening from 1900-1940.
There is a Challenge of the Guardian Ceremony to be held at 1600 Friday, 17APR09, that will mark the completion of the event.
Observers are welcome at any time, though it is requested that observers stay in the designated observance area as to not interfere with the challenges. There will be at least one cadet present to answer questions in each observance area.
The Class of 2010's President will be presenting the Class of 2012's with a challenge coin during the ceremony on Friday. After the completion of the ceremony, each 2/c will give his/her 4/c the challenge coin. Below are pictures of the Challenge of the Guardian Challenge Coin. One side has the Guardian Ethos, the other ties in the Long Blue Line and our Core Values.
Here is one of the challenges as an example:
This challenge echoes the 4th line of the Guardian Ethos: "I will defend them."
This challenge was inspired by the actions of the EAGLE during the War of 1812. The EAGLE was being attacked by a British brig and sloop. When the EAGLE ran ashore on Long Island, the cutter's crew dragged her guns to a high bluff and fought the British ships from there. During the battle the EAGLE's flag was shot down 3 times, and each time a crewmember replaced it. The EAGLE was eventually captured, but her crew showed to the end what it means to defend the citizens.
The story of the EAGLE was retold to the 4/c at the beginning of the challenge. To honor the crew of the EAGLE's dedication to defense, the 4/c transported their own "cannons." This challenge is held on 5th deck Rowland Hall (indoor track), and the "cannons" were weighted sleds that they had to push/pull around the track. In addition to the sleds they had some shot-put weights (cannon balls) and large blue jumper pits that they also had to carry. Every single 4/c is involved. Many people have to work together to carry the blue pits (they are not very heavy, just very large) and the shot-put weights and push/pull the sleds. And they have to stay together as a group.
--------
We have asked for some cadet guest bloggers to share their experience and observations from the challenge as well as looking for some photos. We hope to post those in the next week.
