Lt. Col. Terry Tillis, center, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Olsen, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat team, 4th Infantry Division, speak to the U.S. Air Force Academy baseball team about leadership prior to a game at the academy May 6, 2016. “I expect honest ethical leadership from any leader when they get to my formation. You may make mistakes, and it’s learningfrom those mistakes that will make you a better leader. Take a hard look at your choices, gauge them against an ethical framework, and make the best decision,” said Tillis. (Photo by Maj. Kevin Boyd)
By Maj. Kevin Boyd
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Only eight games left in the regular season and players from the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons baseball team coached Soldiers from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, on throwing skills before its game against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, May 6, 2016.
Soldiers of the 1st SBCT under the Cadet-Athlete-Soldier Training and Leadership Exchange (CASTLE) program have partnered with the cadets to mentor them in leadership and baseball.
Before the game, Cpl. Caitlin Thomas, intelligence analyst, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div., donned the Falcon uniform and threw out the first pitch.
Lt. Col. Terry Tillis, commander, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, throws a pitch during a U.S. Air Force Academy practice after receiving some tips from freshman right-handed pitcher Tyler Mortenson. (Photo by Michael Kaplan)
At each game the cadet athletes have coached Soldiers on throwing a pitch and then name a Soldier as an honorary player and invite them to throw the ceremonial first pitch of the game.
Each week of the baseball season leaders at every level in the “Raider” Brigade have attended practices and spoken to cadets about leadership.
“This experience — to hear firsthand the stories of the leadership and knowledge is very meaningful,” said Gabriel Martinez, freshman catcher at the academy.
“Having Lt. Col. Terry Tillis ask me for pitching tips was quite an honor. I just graduated high school last year and he’s led men in battle, yet he takes the time to ask for my opinion and that means the world to me,” said freshman right-handed pitcher Tyler Mortenson.
After throwing several pitches with Mortensen, the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st SBCT, said, “It’s important not only for their future and our future in the military to provide this mentorship, and it allows me to affect the future while at the same time giving some time to stretch my arm a bit.”
This mentorship program has proven valuable to cadets and Soldiers alike.
“If you look at our roster, this team is almost all freshmen and sophomores,” said Mike Kazlausky, Air Force Falcons head baseball coach. “Out of 45 players there are only two seniors and nine juniors, so 34 of the players are fresh out of high school and this mentorship has been great for them and (the coaches) alike,”
Cadets who are staying in the Colorado Springs area during the summer will have the opportunity to embed with 1st SBCT units for field training opportunities, and the Soldier-cadet relationship will continue throughout their time at the academy.