On one of the last summer days of the year, the sun was temporarily eclipsed for the swimmers at the Neufelder See near Wiener Neustadt: an eight-ton “Black Hawk” helicopter hovered five meters above the water surface. And let its human cargo disembark in the middle of the lake.
On board: eight ensigns from the Theresian Military Academy who had only begun their studies a week earlier and were immediately thrown in at the deep end. Because even though the altitude was certainly manageable, the new environmental influences still provided tension: the two loud helicopter engines right above the soldiers’ heads, the uncertainty of the outbound flight, the ‘downwash’ of the rotor, or the downward air currents that swirl the blades as they hover and glitter spray.
Learn to recognize personal boundaries
After the jump in full gear, they still had to reach the shore, change and start an 18-kilometer walk back to the barracks. But the focus was less on marching performance.
“We try to bring the future officers to their personal stress limits,” explains Colonel Horst Stocker, head of training for this section. Diving into the water in the dark, falling backwards from a three-meter board, or jumping out of hovering helicopters are very suitable for creating mild feelings of fear that have to be overcome. “We get to know our new flags better, and they get to know themselves better, and it also brings the group together,” Stocker told the “Krone”.
For the Milak students, it was not until 9 p.m. that day that they saw the gate of the barracks again. To do this, they jumped from a hovering military helicopter into a lake. Who can say that about themselves?
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
