New Rappel/Climbing Tower Added to LTC
The newest addition to MMI’s Leadership Training Complex (LTC) is ready for operation. This new rappel tower measures in at 44 feet high, 12 feet taller than our current tower. Each face of the new tower offers different options; a smooth face for normal rappels, an open face with a ramp to help those who aren’t quite so courageous to go all the way to the top, a face with doors and windows to go into and out of simulating an urban environment, along with the rock climbing face which boasts three different “lanes” of varying complexity. If that weren’t enough, it has a cantilevered top deck and a Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System (FRIES) device, both of which simulate rappelling or fast roping out of a helicopter. If that weren’t enough, it also has a roof to keep the rain off! As with the obstacle and leader reaction courses (seen below the tower), this tower is built to Department of Defense standards which benefits our ECP and SAP cadets who will be seeing similar challenges in their future military careers. Additionally, our 1st responder program cadets will also be able to practice some of their unique skill sets with this tower. However, this represents a quantum leap in our ability to provide all of our cadets, military track and LEP, with a challenging, enriching and rewarding experience while they are becoming “Marion Made”!