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C-17 pilot challenges Airmen to show their resiliency

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Climbing two small flights of stairs or to the top of Mount Everest it matters not, because it is the power of resiliency that takes you there.

Resiliency is what Maj. Rob Marshall, a pilot with the 97th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, hopes Airmen will discover in the 50 Summits Challenge.

"The 50 Summits Challenge is a project focused on helping Airmen proudly fly the Air Force flag from the highest point in each of our 50 states," said Marshall. "This challenge is about getting outside, having fun, and expanding personal boundaries.  It's also a unique way to explore the elements of resiliency so important to the well-being of our military members: physical, mental, social and spiritual.

Marshall, a V-22 pilot turned C-17 pilot, created and led a challenge to take Airmen to the highest point on each continent, called the USAF 7 Summits Challenge. Between 2005 and 2013, Marshall accomplished that challenge; now he needed a new project. 

"One of my Seven Summits Challenge team mates threw out the idea of reaching the highest point in each of the 50 states," said Marshall. "Our goal will be to get the Air Force flag to the summit of the highest point in each of the 50 states.  In doing so, we will work to promote resiliency, camaraderie, and esprit d' corps among Airmen."

For a man who reached the summit of Mount Everest, as well as the summit of mountains on each of the seven continents, he feels his most difficult climb was up two, small flights of stairs.

"The hardest climb I've ever had was climbing up two flights of stairs to a mental health office. I was going through Osprey school and I found myself really depressed and I didn't know why," said Marshall, returned to McChord Field this month after C-17 qualification training. "The counselor's prescription was to go out and climb the big mountain outside the base at Kirtland (AFB, New Mexico).  I didn't want to do it, but I went and hiked.  When I started sweating and got my heart rate up, that blew that fog away and within a week I was back to normal."

According to Marshall, that's when he knew climbing mountains, or any outdoor activity, supported emotional and mental resiliency.

"My number one goal is to get more Airmen outside.  Because we know from the Seven Summits Challenge, and my personal experience with dealing plane crashes and the loss of other Airmen, the only way to could get through that stuff is through the outdoors," he said.

He also sees the challenge as a tribute to their military training in risk mitigation, mission planning, and teamwork.

"We used the Mount Everest climb to show you can do dangerous things safely.  When we were done with the seven summits, I thought this is just too good to just let it dry up and just go into the history books. So that's when somebody threw out the idea of leading hikes to the highest point in each state," said Marshall. "I started looking into it and what better way to get all Airmen, no matter what their skill level or financial situation, involved. There is a hike or a high point that they can do."

Marshall just left 13 years of active duty in July 2014. 

"When I heard there was an opportunity to join the Reserve back here in Washington where I was born and raised, I jumped at the opportunity.  Mount Rainier is my beacon and I finally found my way back," he said.

So far in the 50 Summits Challenge, groups have taken the Air Force flag to the highest point in 11 states.  Many states remain unclaimed and are just waiting for someone to organize climbs.  Marshall plans on leading a climb up Mount Rainier this year.  It will mark the third state in 2015 with a hike in the planning stages. 

The state with the highest summit is Alaska with Mount McKinley at 20,320 feet.  Florida has the lowest high point at 345 feet.  Washington's Mount Rainier ranks fourth in height at 14,411 feet.

"We can take maybe 10 people on this trip.  The mountains can heal a lot of things, so I always try to include a few wounded warriors on these trips.  I also like to include Chaplains because I believe they are an underutilized resource for resiliency," he said.

To participate in the 50 Summits Challenge, a volunteer is needed to lead a team.  Details on the 50 Summits Challenge can be found at www.usaf50summits.com.

People can sign up through the website and an email goes directly to Marshall. 

"Once we find a team leader, I pass along the names of everyone who has emailed for that team. I interview (volunteer team leaders) to make sure they have the experience or skill to lead a team and all the safety dots are connected," said Marshall.

The website lists all the states' highest points, which ones have been completed, as well as states where trips are in the planning stage and states still waiting for a team.

"The USAF 50 Summits Challenge is just one of many opportunities for Airmen to get outside and boost their physical, mental, and spiritual skills.  Websites like the Air Force's Wingman Tool Kit have a great collection of organizations looking to support Airmen in their personal growth," said Marshall.  "Whether it's strength training instruction, Outward Bound adventures, or a group like Team River Runner that want to teach servicemembers to kayak, I've found some awesome programs on the Tool Kit for improving life skills.

"We had over 70 people in Colorado on a climb (of Mount Elbert). You don't need to leave America to find awesome outdoor adventure.  Every state has a really cool adventure waiting," said Marshall.