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Museum Designers "Enlist" in Infantry
Columbus, Georgia – December 13, 2004: When
the National Infantry Foundation hired Chris Chadbourne and Associates
to design the new National Infantry Museum's exhibits, Chris admitted
to having lots of passion but limited knowledge about life as an
Infantryman. Foundation chairman and former Fort Benning Commanding
General MG (R) Jerry White knew how to fix that: enlist the designers
in "boot camp."
So, a team of seven writers, designers and producers
packed their duffel bags and left their comfortable Boston homes
for a true immersion experience. Three days packed with a sampling
of Initial Entry Infantry, Airborne and Ranger no-holds-barred training.
On Day One of their Fort Benning adventure, they
were rousted from bed at 5:40 a.m. by their escort for the next
two-and-a-half days, SSG Arthur Fontenaux, Fort Benning's Drill
Sergeant of the Year. They visited the 30th A.G. Reception Battalion
where a soldier first meets his drill sergeant, conducted basic
rifle marksmanship on Malone 4 Range, observed the unique challenges
of military first aid training, and scaled and rappelled the 30-foot
Eagle Tower. And that was all before noon.
"We can read every book that's been written
about the Infantry," Chadbourne said. "But we'll never
really understand it until we've lived it."
And that's why Chadbourne descended Eagle Tower
and jumped from the 34-foot Mock Door Tower despite a terrible fear
of heights. "I've never even been on a ferris wheel or a roller
coaster," he said. "But when these guys signed up, no
one gave them a choice to jump or not."
The training continued the next day with a pre-dawn
pass through the Ranger's Malvesti Obstacle Course and a run through
the Millet Bayonet Assault Course. Later, the team told BG (P) Ben
Freakley that while these hands-on opportunities were "thrilling,"
they discovered first hand that their true value was in teaching
confidence and esprit de corps.
The designers told BG Freakley that the most inspirational
part of their visit came as they met up with F Company, 2d Battalion,
19th Infantry to walk the last mile or so of a nighttime foot march.
The destination: Honor Hill, where the young soldiers would receive
their first badge of honor, the Infantry's Crossed Rifles. The deserted
road was lit only by stars, and the soldiers were quiet with fatigue.
As one platoon waited for another to catch up, one private was overhead
telling another, "Hey, we're about to get our Crossed Rifles.
Man, this is what it's all about."
A few minutes later, the troops had reached Honor
Hill. Chris Chadbourne's team stood just outside the circle and
pondered the significance of the solemn ceremony. Just 14 hours
into their Infantry experience, the team had learned some life-changing
lessons.
"Thirteen weeks ago, these young men were
just kids. They've worker harder than they ever have, and have achieved
goals they never thought possible. And they know that what they're
training for is combat. Many of them will go to Iraq fresh out of
boot camp. And they are ready, both physically and mentally. I am
so impressed," Chadbourne said.
The team was equally impressed with the instructors
and officers they met during their visit. "I have a new appreciation
for the role Fort Benning plays in our nation's security. I want
the rest of the country to appreciate it, too. We're going to have
to give the museum's Fort Benning gallery some extra special attention."
The exhibit designers returned to Boston with ideas
for polishing their plans for the new museum. The Foundation expects
to release some of their drawings in January.
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