On Friday, February 13th, 2026, the Collegiate Leadership Class of 2026 (CL’ 26) stepped into the world of Military and First Responders for a program day that proved to be both informative and highly engaging. Throughout the day, classmates gained a deeper appreciation for the individuals and organizations who work daily to protect and serve the Tampa Bay community.
The day kicked off with a welcome from Collegiate Leadership 2026 Chair Antoine Richards and Public Affairs Officer Adam Borgman. Officer Borgman set the tone for the day by sharing insight drawn from his experience. One statement that resonated strongly was “The more you know, the more you don’t know,” a reminder that leadership requires continuous learning and curiosity.
Following the introduction, the class received an overview of MacDill Air Force Base and its mission to “Fuel the Fight”. During breakfast, the class had the opportunity to engage directly with members of the military through a panel discussion. Hearing firsthand about military operations, leadership challenges, and the commitment required to serve offered valuable insight into the scale of coordination and sacrifice behind national defense efforts. One of the day’s key lessons was understanding how leadership within the military relies heavily on trust, preparation, and teamwork.
The class then traveled to the Tampa Emergency Operations Center, where emergency management professionals, Riley Tuff and Madelyn Minner demonstrated how they prepare for both everyday (blue skies) operations and crisis (grey skies) situations. While many mainly associate emergency management with hurricane season, the Center plays a crucial role year-round during large events and unexpected emergencies. Touring the facility highlighted how important preparation is long before a crisis occurs.
Our day shifted gears in the afternoon when we arrived at the Tampa Police Department Training Facility, where Day Chair Major Eric DeFelice and Sergeant Tony Skolarus introduced us to the reality of first responder training. What followed was one of the most immersive experiences of the program year.
Classmates rotated through hands on training activities that demonstrated the intensity of first responder work. Activities included virtual reality simulations, emergency vehicle demonstrations, firefighter response training, and tactical exercises used to prepare officers and firefighters for real world situations. Many participants, myself included, experienced operating fire extinguishers and fire hoses for the first time and suited up in firefighter gear to perform the action of opening a door that was locked shut using a combination of a Halligan Bar and an axe to pry it open, helping us to understand the physical demands responders face during emergencies.
One of the most memorable moments of the day was observing a live training scenario that simulated a police pursuit, kidnapping, and rescue operation. Watching the coordinated response highlighted the teamwork, preparation, and fast decision making required in high pressure situations.
This program day stood out as one of the most engaging experiences of the Collegiate Leadership journey so far. Beyond the excitement of the simulations, key takeaways were a deeper respect for the training and dedication required of military personnel and first responders and how leadership often means being prepared to act when others need it most. My classmates and I appreciate everyone who took the time to make this day impactful and entertaining for us, and especially thank our day chairs Chief Master Sgt. Heather Bragdon, Chief Ruth Cate, and Major Eric DeFelice, and our program coordinators for planning such an eventful, exciting day. Thank you for going the extra mile to contribute to the future of the Tambe Bay Area!
