North Georgia tops military colleges in competition

North Georgia College and State University’s Justin Middleton performs a function check on a Squad Automatic Weapon at the weapons station of the 1st Brigade Bold Leader Challenge at Fort Knox, Ky. At the station, Cadets were given four disassembled weapons they had to identify, assemble, perform function checks on and report any faults.

By Forrest Berkshire
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

Fort Knox, Ky. — North Georgia College and State University claimed the top prize Saturday in the inaugural U.S. Army Cadet Command 1st Brigade Bold Leader Challenge.

The competition pitted 10 teams from Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs at six senior military schools in a marathon 15-mile military skills competition that tested physical endurance and teamwork.

The competition began Friday with two marksmanship events at the post’s rifle ranges.

Austin Peay Cadet receives distinguished award

Cadet Shamai Larsen is congratulated by Col. Mark Mitchell, commander of the Fifth Special Forces Group.

Field Report

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – All the camera flashes seemed to catch Shamai Larsen off guard. The Austin Peay State University Army ROTC Cadet stared at the floor as Col. Mark Mitchell, commander of the Fifth Special Forces Group, pinned the Legion of Valor Association’s Bronze Cross of Achievement on her uniform.

“I am truly honored to be here to get the chance to see Cadet Larsen,” he said.

On Oct. 1, she became the first APSU student to ever receive the Bronze Cross of Achievement Award.

“This award, presented only to eight Cadets nationwide out of 4,500 in the class of 2010, is given for overall excellence in Army ROTC, spanning academics, ROTC performance and extra curricular activities,” said Lt. Col. Greg Lane, executive officer of the school’s ROTC battalion.

Wesley J. Althaus top Junior ROTC Cadet

Wesley J. Althaus

Field Report

Wesley J. Althaus, a Junior ROTC Cadet at Red Bank High School in Chattanooga, Tenn., was named the 2009 Col. Frederick B. Bowling JROTC Cadet of the Year.

Althaus will receive a $3,000 scholarship with this award.

“Wes sets the example for his peers to emulate,” said Lt. Col (retired) Hugh Enicks, the senior army instructor with the school.  “He easily handles numerous responsibilities both as a student and as an athlete.”

This year marks Althaus’ fourth year in has been in JROTC.

He is a member of the JROTC rifle team, on the school’s cross country team and a member of Boy Scout Troop 116, where he recently completed his Eagle Scout requirements.

Wes was selected to attend numerous programs last summer as he transitioned into his senior year of high school.

Cadets take on the Ten-Miler

By Steve Arel

U.S. Army Cadet Command

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pain pulsed through Caleb DeVries’ legs halfway through the Army Ten-Miler. But he had no plans to stop running.

Not now. Not on the downhill side of the biggest run of his collegiate career. And not with his fellow University of Kentucky Cadets depending on him to complete the race.

Jogging along scenic Independence Avenue past the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, DeVries’ focus was broken by the cheers from crowds lining the route, offering words of encouragement to those going by. Suddenly, the freshman forgot about his legs and picked up the pace.

Tent makes Ten-Miler a ‘Hooah’ event

Scores of people on hand for the Army Ten-Miler huddle in front of the U.S. Army Cadet Command Hooah Tent. An oversized, air-filled second lieutenant greeted visitors.

By Steve Arel
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amid the frenzy of people snagging ROTC-branded material, Cadet Command staffers scrambled inside their white tent to keep pace with demand. Almost as quickly as they could set out T-shirts, water bottles and other trinkets, they were gone.“It’s hard work, but fun,” Keith Mills, Cadet Command’s division chief of events and outreach, said during a break Sunday.

Positioned in the thick of a small tent city next to the Pentagon serving as an attraction at October’s 25th annual Army Ten-Miler, Cadet Command was among more than 50 organizations and installations from around the world showcasing their mission and connecting with scores of people. Those hosting what was known as a Hooah Tent gave out everything from shirts to keepsake bags to key chains to food.

Ironman on campus

By Cadet Michael Neu
University of Texas – San Antonio

Joseph Barber, an Army Cadet at the University of Texas – San Antonio, has always taken health and fitness seriously. Studying exercise science, Barber continually searches for new ways to increase not only his personal fitness level, but his education and experience in the world of health and fitness.

Cadet Joseph Barber

Fitness was merely a hobby prior to his Green-to-Gold Active Duty Option selection to attend UTSA but now it has since become his way of life.

Since 2004, Barber has sought to become an ultra endurance athlete. First it was the local 5K fun run. Then a 10K. Before he knew it, he was running marathons. Now, he trains and races year round.

Whether it’s a marathon, ultra-marathon trail run, or a triathlon, Barber can be found on a starting line at least once a month, looking for yet another way to test himself. Each year is a new challenge, and this year the challenge was the Ironman Triathlon. The Ironman Triathlon is the most intense triathlon, consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run, all of which must be completed within 17 hours in order to be called an “Ironman.”

While the typical college student may spend his weekend at parties or munching down on pizza in front of an Xbox, Barber can be found training for upcoming races, volunteering with the Big Brother Society, raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, tutoring, or acting as executive officer of his ROTC battalion — all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

“The philosophy that I live by is to always, on a daily basis, attempt to improve myself in all aspects of life, whether that be physical, mental, academics, professional, spiritual, and even romantically,” Barber said. “You will only get out of life what you put into it. In the end, if you don’t like the results, you have no one to blame but yourself.”

Barber’s physical quests continue.

This year, Barber has completed 2 marathons, two 30-mile ultra-marathon trail runs, and 5 triathlons, the longest being Ironman Coeur d’Alene, in northern Idaho. The remainder of this academic year Barber’s race schedule is just as full. In the coming months he will compete in Ironman Cozumel and run his first-ever 50 mile ultra-marathon.

Will he stop at 50 miles?

“I guess we’ll find out after the 50-miler,” Barber said. “Although I heard there’s a fun 100-miler held every May in Canada.”

Tennessee Tech cadet supporting troops

Staff Report

Cadet Kaylee Radzyminski

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – An 18 year-old Army cadet from Tennessee Technical University founded an organization that provides entertainment to troops.

Cadet Kaylee Marie Radzyminski’s Tunes 4 Troops Campaign has received recognition numerous times.

Radzyminski says it’s important to support U.S. troops and created the Tunes 4 Troops Campaign as a way of saying thanks to the men and women serving our country.  The campaign sends donated CDs, DVDs and audio books to American troops serving in combat zones.  Since 2005, Kaylee Marie and her volunteers have sent 600,000 donated discs abroad.

“I wanted to show that kids are ambitious, and have a strong sense of pride,” Radzyminski said. “I started Tunes 4 the Troops to let the service members around the world know who they are serving and fighting for. I have a future to look forward to because of sacrifices made for me and all other Americans.”

“I know I am just one girl, but I have a voice, and I will use it to say thank you to all who are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.”

Radzyminski was awarded a 4-year scholarship to Tennessee Tech and began school this Fall. Learn more about her campaign at http://www.tunes4thetroops.com.

Leader’s Training Course wraps up

Cadets salute the colors during a graduation ceremony at the 2009 Leader's Training Course.

By Forrest Berkshire

Sunday’s graduation of Co. B 1/46th Inf. marked the end of the 2009 Leader’s Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky.

Seven companies comprising 1,810 college students — the largest turnout in more than a decade — attended the annual course designed to introduce them to Army life and to qualify them to receive a scholarship through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Of those, 1,718 graduated.

For many Cadets, the four weeks they spent living in barracks under the tutelage of drill sergeants and senior officers were their first exposure to Army life. Many of them lost weight, gained an appreciation for the life of a Soldier and found new leadership abilities they hadn’t known they possessed.

Junior ROTC scholars compete in national competition

Junior ROTC cadets from Saint Thomas Academy in San Francisco compete in the 2009 Junior ROTC Academic Bowl. Photo by Paul Kotakis

By Paul Kotakis

Cadet Command public affairs officer

In a competition involving Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps teams from around the globe, the Cadets of Saint Thomas Academy in St. Paul, Minn., took top honors at the 2009 Junior ROTC Academic Bowl.

The competition, created exclusively for Junior ROTC Cadets by the College Options Foundation, provides the nearly 300,000 students in the Army Junior ROTC program the opportunity to showcase their academic prowess.

More than 2,100 teams participated in the initial phase of the competition, which was conducted online. Top placing teams advanced to Level II – which also was conducted online with a web/voice interactive component. The final phase of the competition, involving 72 teams, took place at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., June 26-30.

Leader’s Training Course is underway!

The Leader’s Training Course is the premier leadership program of its kind in the United States. An intense four-week introduction to Army life and leadership training of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, the aim of the course is to motivate and qualify Cadets for entry into the Senior ROTC program.

LTC, as it’s known, is designed for college students, typically between their sophomore and junior years. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates can take part in ROTC at their college as a third-year student in the four-year program.

While attending LTC at Fort Knox, Ky., Cadets gain an experience that runs the gamut of Army life and the responsibilities of being an officer. The course instills confidence and decision-making abilities to become a leader, in the Army and in life.

Follow the action online:

• http://leaderstrainingcourse.com/
• http://armyrotc.smugmug.com/leaderstrainingcourse/
• http://twitter.com/leaderstrainingcourse/
  

Eastern Region deactivates; brigade structure complete

Charlie Rodgers, back, and Joe Mike LaRue of Rodgers Sign Service in Elizabethtown remove the Eastern Region name from the sign of Seventh Brigade, which fell under the region. The brigade, which has been expanded and remains at Fort Knox, now is part of U.S. Army Cadet Command’s eight-brigade structure.

by Steve Arel
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

Eastern Region might be gone from Fort Knox, but its deactivation last week signaled the beginning of an increased Reserve Officers’ Training Corps presence on post.

The region’s demise is part of a transformation by U.S. Army Cadet Command, culminating between fall 2010 and fall 2011 when the command relocates its headquarters and scores of positions to Fort Knox from Fort Monroe, Va. The move will compliment two brigades remaining at Fort Knox that had been under Eastern Region’s umbrella.

Obama commissions 16 Army cadets

Staff Report

TEMPE, Ariz. — President Barack Obama commissioned 16 Army and 24 Air Force Cadets from five Arizona universities during the May 13 commencement ceremonies at Arizona State University. The Cadets took their oath in front of an estimated gathering of 71,000 people, which included more than 9,000 graduates with their families and friends. Also in attendance were members of the Arizona Board of Regents, including Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.

It was the first time this commander in chief administered the oath and first salute at a commissioning ceremony, and one of the few times in history that a sitting president has done so. Prior to the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act, federal law required a commissioned military officer to administer the oath. The 2007 law opened the door for the president, vice president and secretary of defense to administer the commissioning oath. President Obama also signed the Cadetsí DA-71s himself.

Of those Cadets being commissioned, 29 were from ASU, four from Grand Canyon University, three from Northern Arizona University, two from the University of Arizona and two from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

The young men and women grew up all over the world from Tempe, Ariz., to Seoul, Korea. They majored in justice studies, communication, history, political science, public safety and nursing.

Matthew Brown, an Army ROTC cadet who earned his bachelorís degree in justice studies, was excited about Obama coming to commencement.

ìItís a pretty big honor and it doesnít happen to a lot of people,î says Brown, who was born in Korea when his father, now retired from the Army, was stationed there.

Brown didnít immediately apply to the officersí training program when he enrolled at ASU. However, someone suggested he give it a try and now that heís completed the program, he likes the idea that when he graduates he will have accomplished more than just a college degree. He will enter active duty in Military Intelligence and be assigned to Ft. Riley, Kansas.

The best part of the ROTC program, according to Brown, was the friends he made along the way. ìWe had to go through really hard things together,î he said.

The worst part? ìGetting up at 5 a.m.î

Michelle Dehorney, a native of Yuma, Ariz., who earned her degree in public safety, agreed that lifelong friendships are a benefit of being in ROTC. She was also thrilled to be sworn in by the nationís commander in chief.

ìHis speech really motivated me,î she said. ìI felt inspired by the idea that even though Iíve accomplished a lot, my ìbody of workî is not done.î Dehorney is excited to begin her career in the Adjutant General field. The idea of adding to oneís ìbody of workî was a central theme in Obamaís commencement address.

The commander of the Army ROTC unit at Arizona State University, Lt. Col. Kirk McIntosh, said heís proud of his Cadets.

ìIn a very uncertain and somewhat chaotic world, ROTC develops the types of leaders that America and the world needs,î McIntosh said. ìIt is absolutely the best leadership program in the world.î

ìWhile in college and attending ROTC classes, we teach our future lieutenants to think critically, to be physically and mentally fit and agile, to take care of others, to live by the Army values, and to lead others in the toughest of circumstances,î said McIntosh, who will retire later this year.

The Department of Military Science at ASU was founded in 1935 and is located within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This year there are 154 Cadets who are members of the Sun Devil Battalion.

The day after the commissioning, on May 14, Cadets from each of the ROTC units participated in pinning ceremonies with their families.

Below are the names and universities of the Army Cadets who were commissioned by President Obama on May 13:

Jordan Breau, ASU

Matthew Brown, ASU

Teri Cunningham, ASU

Andrew Headid, ASU

Dean Hill, ASU

Young Lee, ASU

Archangel Muscato, ASU

Annie Bernholtz, GCU

Michelle Dehorney, GCU

Aaron Shramek, GCU

Carlton Griffin, NAU

Kelly Alford, NAU

Holly Vance, Embry-Riddle

Brian Swift, Embry-Riddle

Yousef, Balooshi, UA

Enewi Liber, UA

President Barack Obama commissions ROTC Cadets May 13 at Arizona State University during the Spring commencement. Photo courtesy of Arizona State University

Staff Report

TEMPE, Ariz. — President Barack Obama commissioned 16 Army and 24 Air Force Cadets from five Arizona universities during the May 13 commencement ceremonies at Arizona State University. The Cadets took their oath in front of an estimated gathering of 71,000 people, which included more than 9,000 graduates with their families and friends. Also in attendance were members of the Arizona Board of Regents, including Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.

It was the first time this commander in chief administered the oath and first salute at a commissioning ceremony, and one of the few times in history that a sitting president has done so. Prior to the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act, federal law required a commissioned military officer to administer the oath. The 2007 law opened the door for the president, vice president and secretary of defense to administer the commissioning oath. President Obama also signed the Cadets’ DA-71s himself.

ROTC social media online

by Forrest Berkshire
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

Note: this article updates a previous news item in the News-Leader, the former Eastern Region newsletter.

The ROTC community is expanding into the World Wide Web.

It’s already there, in a fractured, helter-skelter form scattered across a hodgepodge of social media sites like Facebook and YouTube initiated by Cadets and cadre.

But with a new effort launched this month, Cadet Command now offers its own social media site called ROTCLink at www.rotclink.com.

“There is a lot they are doing,” said Glenn Landauer, account executive with MRM Worldwide, the firm contracted to develop the site. “The trend is people want to come together, and they’re doing it.”

The idea is to bring it all under one virtual roof on a site similar to platforms the Cadets are already familiar with, but tailored to their specific needs.

Samoan ROTC students receive contract awards

by Furman “Neil” Neeley
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – Two students in the American Samoa Community College Army ROTC program became the first in their school to be contracted out of a junior college.

Cadets Galo Tuiolosega and Mariamagnolia Afoa head to Hawaii to join the Army ROTC program at the University of Hawaii and pursue a bachelor’s degree — then enter the Army as a second lieutenant. Afoa also serves in the Army Reserves.

Oklahoma Cadet named to university Hall of Fame

by Furman “Neil” Neeley
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cadet Kryistal Sanders-Patrick, a senior at Northeastern State University and a member of the Army ROTC program here, has been selected for induction into the NSU Hall of Fame. Each year, the university recognizes top students, athletic teams or student organizations with the award.

The Hall of Fame award is a collaborative effort and is recognition of all four years at this institution,” said Maj. Mike Higgins, assistant professor of military science, at Northeastern State. “In order to be voted in, the individual has to have maintained a reputation for doing great things throughout all four years of attendance at the university.”