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.”

Wyoming’s Cowboy Battalion repeats top finish at Bataan

Cadets and cadre from the University of Wyoming's Cowboy Battalion trained for three months at 7,200 feet above sea level for the grueling Bataan Memorial Death March. (Courtesy Photo)

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

LARAMIE, Wyo. — For the second year in a row the Cowboy Battalion at the University of Wyoming finished atop the standings in the Bataan Memorial Death March, held annually in White Sands Missile Range, N.M., placing first in the ROTC Military Heavy Team Division, finishing in six hours and 13 min.

The 16 UW Cadets participated in one of the most difficult races in the United States, according to Lt. Col. Brenton Reinhardt, professor of military science at the university.

Mobile JROTC wins community service award

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

MOBILE, Ala. – The Hornet Battalion, an Army JROTC program at Baker High School here, recently won the Volunteer of Mobile Inc. Heart of Gold Award in recognition for their outstanding support of the local community.

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

4th Brigade transforms

Maj. Gen. Arthur Bartell presents a plaque to 4th Brigade Commander Col. Ronald Elrod

Staff report

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Maj. Gen. Arthur Bartell (left) , commanding general of U.S. Army Cadet Command, presented Col. Ronald Elrod, 4th Brigade commander, a plaque commemorating the expansion of the brigade mission and area of responsibility, at the annual training and production (TAP) briefing in Fayetteville, N.C., April 30.

The brigade controls 2,500 Cadets participating in 38 Army ROTC programs in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Delaware. It also oversees  Junior ROTC Cadets at 315 high schools across its region. The brigade headquarters recently grew from 12 to 27 employees as a result of the realignment and will expand additional duties once Eastern Region de-activates. Fourth Brigade now reports directly to Cadet Command, currently at Fort Monroe, Va., and scheduled to relocate to Fort Knox, Ky. in summer 2011.

Photo galleries for LTC, LDAC available this summer

Staff Report

FORT LEWIS, Wash. — Click here for a photo gallery from the 2008 Leader Development and Assessment Course. Are you coming to LDAC 2009?

Get the word out about our LTC and LDAC photo galleries at SmugMug, both of which will be regularly updated this summer!

Gopher Battalion partners with local Reserve and recruiting units

by Capt. John Zillhardt
University of Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS – Towering above the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus, an 18- by 42-foot billboard with an impressive image depicting combined Army air and Soldier power. It announces that Army Strong officers are in demand.

This month-long advertisement is the latest achievement born of a cooperative effort between the UMN Army ROTC program, the U.S. Army Reserve and the local U.S. Army Recruiting Command Recruiting Battalion.

In recent years the UMN’s Gopher Battalion has enjoyed tremendous growth and success. In 2004, the battalion had 67 enrolled cadets; in May 2008 there were 119, and now there are 133. It’s important to note that the battalion did not sacrifice quality for quantity. During this same period the program received numerous awards, including the 2008 Order of the Founder and Patriots Award and the 2008 MacArthur Unit Award as one of the top eight ROTC battalions in U.S. Army Cadet Command.

A key factor in the unit’s success has been its focus on growth and quality, said Maj.  Gary Mundfrom, the battalion’s enrollment and scholarship officer. To that end, recruitment of cadets with prior active-duty or reserve-component military experience has paid off, he added.

Vet, former NCO doubly honored at U of Memphis

Retired Col. Thomas Daniels Jr. rose to the rank of sergeant major before receiving a commission. And oh by the way, the colonel fought in three American wars. (Courtesy Photo)

Staff Report

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The University of Memphis Army ROTC’s Tiger Battalion held a Spring Ball in April, honoring both veterans and noncommissioned officers.

Retired Col. Thomas Daniels Jr. was there and was twice honored: as a veteran who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam — and because the retired O-6 was once an NCO who, not incidentally, rose to the rank of sergeant major before receiving a commission.

“We felt it was important to honor vets, and in keeping with the Army Chief of Staff’s Year of the NCO initiative, we honored NCOs as well,” said Tiger professor of military science Lt. Col. Greg Marinich. “Colonel Daniels’ history is off the charts, and it was amazing for our Cadets to honor him and others.”

The battalion also honored its own NCOs.

JROTC: Fast-acting Cadet saves life

Iyeida Bernal

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

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – A beloved southern California Army JROTC student is a hero, credited with saving the life of a drowning two-year-old boy on Easter Sunday. She was honored with a heroism award this week, signed by 8th Brigade commander Col. Paul Wood.

Iyeida Bernal, a Cadet at Arroyo Valley High School, was at an Easter picnic with her family at an Orange County lake when she saw a little boy on a dock feeding ducks. Suddenly, she said, the boy fell, disappearing into the water with a splash.

When the boy didn’t surface, Bernal realized that she was the only person to see the incident. Disregarding her own safety and her allergies to the grass and seaweed present in the lake, she quickly dove in to rescue the boy.

“I ran to the dock where he had fallen and I jumped in and began to look for him,” she said. “I didn’t see him at first because the water was so murky and brown and there was a lot of seaweed at the bottom of the lake covering the boy.

Bernal says that she didn’t think about her allergies to grass and seaweed. “All I cared about was finding him,” she said. “I remembered that he was wearing an orange shirt.”

Although her eyes were already beginning to swell shut because of her allergies, somehow Bernal managed to keep them open long enough to spot the boy’s orange shirt on the bottom amongst the seaweed.