Fall Family weekend is a training event that takes place early in the school year shortly after classes begin at Gonzaga. Staged out of Camp Seven Mile along the Spokane River, this event allows freshman cadets their first chance to experience squad unit tactics with their peers as well as give the junior-year cadets their firstchance at aleadership position in a simulatedfield environment.

What is most important isduring this weekend the families and friends of the cadetsarehighly encouraged to attend as well. What this does accomplish is the family's ability to see their cadet go through the motions of training that builds teamwork and develops the leadership skills critical the success of an officer in the military and in life.

While a squad-sized unit is assigned a task or battle-drill, their family members are able to watch the planning and leadership process as well as the actual execution of a mission against a simulated Opposing Force (OPFOR). While this is happening, one of very skilled and knowledgeable cadre members will guide the family members through each phase of the operation so they have clear understanding of what their cadet is doing.

Halfway through the training day, everyone breaks for lunch allowing the family members meet with the cadet's military science instructors as well as the cadet's fellow peers who they will be training with.