Archive for the ‘Feature’ Category
Cadets take on the Ten-Miler
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.
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.
Leader’s Training Course videos on YouTube
Staff Report
FORT KNOX, Ky. — Seven new videos from the 2008 Leader’s Training Course have been posted on YouTube on Cadet Command PAO’s channel. The videos feature Cadets from last year navigating training sites at rappelling, squad tactics, stream crossing, Where Eagles Dare (the high ropes course), grenades training, Call of the Wild (water ops) and basic rifle marksmanship.
The videos are live-action documentary style footage ranging from about 40 seconds to two minutes, designed to give the viewer an idea of what to expect going through some of the training at LTC. The videos can be viewed at Cadet Command’s YouTube channel
Staff ReportUO professor is new ‘Mrs. Oregon’
MAJ Joelle Goodwin is Oregon's new "Mrs."
by Furman “Neil” Neeley
U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs
EUGENE, Ore. – You may call her ma’am, Maj. Goodwin or just Joelle, but as of January 25th, Maj. Joelle Goodwin carries a new title: Mrs. Oregon America 2009. The Broadway Rose Theater in Tigard was the setting as married women from across Oregon came together to compete for the title of Mrs. Oregon. Goodwin became the first African-American to win the title.
Goodwin is an associate professor of military science at the University of Oregon where she serves the U. of Oregon Army ROTC program as executive officer. She’s a former active-duty Soldier who came to the program through a retiree recall immediately after her retirement in October of last year.
“People sometimes look at me funny with I tell them that I enjoy entering beauty pageants,” Goodwin said. “Being that tough Army officer and that beauty queen who likes to get dolled up and wear an evening gown, can go together and complement each other. I think that doing both of those things makes me a better person.”
Goodwin says that America is very proud of their military and that pride and respect carries over to the pageants that she competes in. “I get nothing but kudos for being a member of the armed forces when my pageant sisters learn than I am in the Army.”
