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

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

Field 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.