OKLAHOMA CITY – Countless servicemembers have trained at Camp Gruber Training Center throughout the years, but on Nov. 1, CGTC hosted a unique group of future leaders - cadets from the Thunderbird Challenge Program.

“Thunderbird Challenge Program is a leadership program for the sons and daughters of Oklahoma,” said Traci Johnson, commandant of cadets at TCP. “The program’s goal is to improve [cadet’s] leadership skills and build discipline, and today we’re working on building discipline, facing our fears and working as a group to get over obstacles just like you have to in life. You have to learn to overcome obstacles and fears.”

The Thunderbird Challenge Program is a 22-week tuition-free military program for Oklahoma students in need of school credit recovery. The program uses the structure and discipline of the military to support cadets while they attend high school classes, GED classes as well as learn job skills and life coping skills.

According to Johnson, the goal of the Thunderbird Challenge Program is to provide cadets the foundation for future success.

“Thunderbird starts with the fundamentals to create leaders. We teach marching, working together, making your bunks and being good citizens of Oklahoma,” Johnson said. “We’re very proud to show our cadets that by the time they leave here, they are very disciplined and understand they can overcome [obstacles] and are ready to move forward in their lives.

While at Camp Gruber Training Center, Thunderbird cadets took on the same obstacle course that Soldiers taking part in Air Assault School, best warrior competitions and pre-mobilization training face.

The cadets also faced off with one another in pugil stick bouts supervised by TCP cadre, and some cadets had the opportunity to rappel from CGTC’s 40-foot rappel tower.

Marissa Treat, a cadet from Coweta, Oklahoma, said TCP’s day at CGTC reflects the goals of the program as a whole when it comes to teaching cadets to face challenges.

“We’re learning our strengths and weaknesses, and having a lot of fun,” Treat said. “I’ve learned that I’m absolutely terrified of heights, but I’ve also learned being able to get over [the tall obstacles] and seeing you’re done is a motivator.”

Treat said she enjoyed pushing herself at both the obstacle course and at TCP.

[Thunderbird] is a life changer,” Treat said. “Coming from a rough path, like some of us kids have, Thunderbird teaches us discipline, life skills and how to just move on and not look back at what you’ve been through. You learn to push forward toward a positive future.”

Johnson credits the Thunderbird Challenge Program’s dedicated staff for the cadet’s successes on the obstacle course, in the classroom and throughout the program.

“I think it’s important for cadets to understand we’re here because we care,” Johnson said. “That’s our focus and because we care, we want to see them succeed.”