Goldbar Leader April 2006

8/3/2019 Goldbar Leader April 2006

1/8

Volume 23, No. 2 AprWestern Region Cadet Command Fort Lewis, Washington

TRAIN TO LEAD! WE COMMISSION!

By Jeremy OBryan

Western Region Public Affairs

FORT LEWIS, Wash. Four noncommissioned

officers from across Western Region competed here

in an NCO of the Year Competition March 7-9. The

Soldiers endured many hours of skill evaluation and

testing to reveal the best of the best from among the

hundreds of Warriors in the Region.

The dust has cleared, and the top selectee, 14th

Brigade Soldier Sgt. 1st Class Erick Macher, a military

science instructor at the University of California-

Davis, will represent Western Region at the CadetCommand and subsequent NCOY competitions.

Noncommissioned officers bring experience,

wisdom, and a warrior perspective to the job of

training Americas young people to become Army

officers, said Command Sergeant Major Victor

Mercado, Western Region command sergeant

major.

Recognizing the contributions individual Soldiers

make by finding the best, Mercado explained, shows

that the highest standards will be rewarded.

When Soldiers like Sergeant 1st Class Macher

maintain and enforce high standards, cadets and

other Soldiers follow, Mercado said.

Noncommissioned officers in ROTC battalions

who all have served and fought under Army officers not only bring valuable insight to the training

environment, but also help show cadets what the

officer-enlisted relationship should look like. They

help cadets understand the very Soldiers they may

Photo by Jerem

Sergeant 1st Class Erick Macher shows his ID tags at Fort Lewis March 7 as part of the U.S. Army Cade

mands Western Region NCO of the Year Competition. Macher, military science instructor at the UniveCalifornia Davis, finished ahead of three other NCOs to claim NCO of the Year for Western Region and

sent the region at subsequent NCO of the Year competitions.

Region chooses NCO as best of bes

one day lead into battle.

Also selected to compete in this competition were

Sergeants 1st Class Shad Lewis, 10th Brigade, from

Southern Illinois University, who finished 2nd in the

points standings; Glenn Darr, 13th Brigade, fromPacific Lutheran University; and David Todd, 8th

Brigade, from Tulane University.

These NCOs were selected to attend this

competition by their brigade commanders and

sergeants major because of their exceptional duty

performance and motivation to compete, Mercado

said. They are all winners in my book.

The competition consisted of a weigh-in, Army

physical fitness test, weapons qualification,

night land navigation, a written essay, a writt

and appearance in front of a board of senior

who grilled the contestants. In the mix of th

event organizers placed a mystery task: resto an improvised explosive device.

The events and tasks presented to us w

same kinds of tasks every warrior should kn

to do, said Macher, a 13-year veteran. T

is to stay practiced and situationally aware

successful responses come naturally.

The Cadet Command NCOY board will be

Western Region Apr. 4-7.

Photo by Jeremy OBryan

Sergeants 1st Class Erick Macher, David Todd and

Glenn Darr finish up at the small arms range during

the Regions NCO of the Year competition in March.

Macher, who will now compete at Cadet Command

level, was selected from among four NCOs: Todd, Darrand Sgt. 1st Class Shad Lewis. The Cadet Command

competition will be held at Fort Lewis April 4-7.


2/8

By Col. Steven Corbett

Commander, Western Region

This spring, Cadet Command will turn 20 years old. How

can that be, one may ask, if ROTC was formally established

way back in 1916? The Reserve Officers Training Corps hasbeen restructured and reorganized along with the rest of our

Army several times in our history, but it was not until May 2,

1986, that we were formally organized as a separate command

under the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.

Our first Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Robert Wagner,

was in fact my predecessor several times removed as the

ROTC Region Commander here

at Fort Lewis. It was Wagners

drive, determination and sheer

force of will that established Cadet

Command, and his efforts behind

the scenes remain with us today.

The Western Region itself has

undergone many changes. ROTC

Regions were established under

brigadier generals in 1973 in order

to ensure standardization and

command and control over the ROTC programs in geographic

areas of responsibility. Our Western Region, formerly the 4th

ROTC Region, has been based at Fort Lewis for over thirty

years, and we have had our own share of change. When I was

an Assistant Professor of Military Science as a captain, there

were 64 senior ROTC Programs in the 4th Region. When

the 3rd ROTC Region was inactivated in 1992, we assumed

responsibility for the ROTC Programs in Texas, Kansas,

Oklahoma and Arkansas.

With the Cadet Command reorganization of 2003, our area

of responsibility now stretches from the Panhandle of Florida

to Guam and American Samoa, with 140 senior programs

and over 800 JROTC Detachments.

This extension of responsibility has been coupled with adramatic shrinkage in the size of the Region Headquarters.

The Region has been commanded by a colonel since

1994, and the number of people who work in the Region

Headquarters is less than half the number that it was when

we only had 64 schools in the Region. Some of these folks

have been working here for nearly two decades. As the Cadet

Command headquarters for Warrior Forge, that means that

we have civilian employees who have gone without the

opportunity for a summer vacation for 14, 17 and up to 18

years in a row. These are truly the iron men and women who

make the Region run and Warrior Forge to occur. To them,

our on-campus cadre, and to our cadets, I wish a Happy

Birthday.

2 April 2006Goldbar Leader

Col. Steven R. Corbett

Commander

Western Region, U.S Army Cadet Command

This Army-funded newspaper is an authorized publication for the members of the U.S. Army and the Reserve Offi cers Training Corps

Contents of the Goldbar Leaderand Warrior Leadernewspapers are not necessarily the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Gover

or the Department of the Army. The editorial content of this publication is the property of the U.S. Army Cadet Command Western Re

Public Affairs Offi ce, and is printed under exclusive w ritten contract in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1. Printed circulation is a

9,000. Submission of stories and photos by Western Region headquarters, ROTC, and JR OTC organizations is encouraged. The editor

serves the right to edit all submitted material based on space limitations and command policy. Submissions, letters, and inquiries shou

addressed to: HQ Western Region, U.S. Army Cadet Command, ATTN: ATOW-ZP (PAO), Box 339500, Fort Lewis, WA, 98433-9500. Addit

contact via phone, fax, and e-mail is acceptable. Voice: (253) 967-7473; Fax: (253) 967-9581; E-mail: [email protected].

Public Affairs Offi cer Bob Rosenburgh

Editor, Deputy PAO Jeremy OBryan

Volume 23, No. 2 April 2006W es te r n Re gi on C ad et C om ma nd F or t Le w is , Wa sh in gt on

By Sergeant Major Shawn Goins

13th Brigade

Since the first day you entered the Army

you probably always had someone to go to

when you didnt know how to do something.

You asked your first squad leader what to do

when you made your first PCS move. You

asked your peers what paperwork you were

supposed to fill out the Monday after you got

married. You listened in when other Soldiers

talked about their experiences at different

schools or duty assignments.

But what happens when your

peers or supervisors havent

done what you are about to do

retire? This is the first time

there isnt a fellow Soldier

available you can call on and

ask questions. In the remote

locations of ROTC battalions it

may be even more difficult tofind someone that has recently

retired or at least remembers

what they did when they retired.

The Army has set up some great programs

and someone with the right information is

just an email away, but an email only goes

so far. As I hit the 45 day mark until I start

my permissive TDY and transition leave, I

would like to share some odds and ends with

you:

Did you know the government will move

your belonging for up to 4 years after you

retire? You have to have a good reason (the

service member is finishing school, medical

reasons, etc.) and you must request it inwriting each year.

You can take your permissive TDY in

one 20-day span or take it four-day intervals,

i.e. Monday thru Thursday, work day Friday

and then again Monday thru Thursda

Friday, and so on. With this option it c

up to five weeks to use your allowed

of Permissive TDY. Either way yo

have a separate DA Form 31 for each

Just keep in mind that this is neither

nor an entitlement, and must be fully j

by the soldier. The initial Permissiv

can be up to 10 days, and up to 10 ad

days may be requested, totaling a ma

of 20 days.

No matter how you slice it, V

Group Life Insurance is

competitive to the civil

insurance market.

Depending on your s

SBP may not be right fo

have young children, so

it is a no-brainer. I g

government $120 per m

when I die my wife or c

get 55 percent of my paySo here is the math. I pa

per month for five years

of $7,200. I die, my wife draws about

dollars a month so my wife just ma

the $7,200 dollars in less than seven m

In my opinion it is worth the piece of

If you plan on continuing your ed

you should enroll in the $600 bu- up p

for the GI Bill. It buys an additional

month for 36 months a total of $5,40

There is plenty of money in the

Retirement budget. Use it and go to a p

talk face- to-face with the different a

involved with retirement, it will clear

of questions.I would not change anything I eve

the Army; the last 20 years will alway

highlight of my life. But there is life a

Army, and I intend to enjoy it.

Cadet Command turns 20

Whats going on in your battalion? Get the word out!

The Goldbar Leader goes out to more than 150 colleges and

universities and 800 high schools.

Do the math. Thats nearly 1,000 ROTC programs nearly

20,000 potential readers with whom to share your units

accomplishments ...

Call us today at (253) 967-7

or send e-mail to

[email protected]

SGM Goins shares retirement tip


3/8

By Command Sergeant Major Victor Mercado

Command Sergeant Major, Western Region

What a great time I had attending the Western

Region Drill Competition

at Texas A&M. Big

kudos to Sgt. Maj.Stephen Lamb and his

crew for organizing this

awesome event. Many

of the JROTC instructors

that attended the event

said the competition has

gotten better through the

years.

Col. Steven Corbett, Western Region

Commander, and I observed many of the

competitions and talked to many teams.

We were impressed with the way these junior

cadets handle the pressure. Win or lose, they felt a

sense of pride and a sense of goal accomplishment.

In every team I saw discipline, dedication,

commitment, respect to one another, and teamwork.This is a reflection of the outstanding leadership

and dedication of their JROTC instructors. Some of

instructors paid their own way to the competition.

In my opinion, unselfish acts like these are what

make a JROTC program successful.

Over 50 teams attended the competition in the

Armed and Unarmed Divisions. Division events

included inspection, regulation, color guard,

exhibition, and academic exam.

April 2006 Goldbar Leader

In my 25-plus years in the military, I hav

witnessed Drill and Ceremony conducted in

professional manner, and never by high sch

from across the cultural spectrum. The

organizers did an excellent job in keeping eve

on schedule and the Drill Sergeants really

atmosphere and tone from start to finish.

The last event of the competitions was th

ceremony. Lt. Gen. John Van Alstyne, Col.

and I awarded trophies and coins to the 1st

5th Place in all the events. We were very

about how the grading took place and t

JROTC instructors let the cadets compete

any pressure.

Col. Corbett and I are confident Westernis going to outperform the other services

Nationals at Dayton. This weekend was real

to me that we are doing an outstanding job

our youth.

To really appreciate what these kids demo

to us, you have to be there to feel and wit

If next year you have the opportunity and th

come out a support this event, and most impo

support the kids.

Region drill competition impressMore than 50 JROTC teams

turn out at Texas A&M

to strut their drill

By Lt. Col. Jeff Cunningham

New Mexico Military Institute

ROSWELL, N.M. The New Mexico Military

Institute is one of only five Military Junior Colleges in

the United States offering the Early Commissioning

Program, in which a cadet may be commissioned as

a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve at the

end of four semesters, instead of the more traditional

four years at another university.

About 130 cadets participate in the two-year ECP

here. Some of these cadets have already served on

combat tours in Iraq or Afghanistan. Upon earning

their baccalaureate degree, these lieutenants may

serve on active duty, Reserve duty or in the National

Guard.

Although a cadet may be commissioned as alieutenant, they may not serve on active duty until

they obtain their baccalaureate degree. Newly

commissioned lieutenants are expected to join a

Reserve or National Guard unit, where they drill

monthly and sharpen their military and leadership

skills. These ECP lieutenants are monitored in their

progress by the unit commander and the Professor

of Military Science at the college or university they

transfer to from NMMI.

The most senior ROTC cadets who completed their

advanced training this past summer and entered their

final year of instruction, performed better than cadets

in the past several years with a 96 percent graduation

rate and twice the number of cadets achieving the

highest rating of Excellent. New cadets enteringthe program and beginning at the Institute this past

fall had the highest graduation rate from training at

the Leaders Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky., on

record for the school. These beginning cadets also

earned more than twice the number of high cadet

awards as the four other Military Junior Colleges

combined.

The ROTC program also receives outstanding

support from the New Mexico Army National

Guard through training opportunities, equipment,

and transportation from the local Roswell battalion,

other units statewide, and through the state chain of

command. The 200th Air Defense Artillery Battalion,

New Mexico National Guard, has deployed soldiers

on Homeland Defense missions in the MilitaryDistrict of Washington and to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some military

colleges offer early

commissioning

Need News?Surf to www.army.mil


4/8

jerky and baby wipes are great

a Soldier happy, said Perry J

Marketing Director for the Ro

Blood Center, but donating b

the single best thing that fam

friends can do to keep a Soldie

Jefferies added that drives is onbest over the past four years.

also the first successful drive in

an Army ROTC department w

state of Texas. The teamwork

SHSU Bearkat Battalion and t

VFW Post was exceptional.

assisted the Robertson Blood

by unloading and loading equ

escorting donors during the dr

donating blood. More than 40

the 106 donated were from

Battalion cadets and cadre.

Dallas cadet crowned que

DALLAS Cadet Bridgette

was crowned queen Feb. 25 ou

candidates at the David W. Car

Schools Annual 21st JROTC B

Military Ball. Bennett a

Ronald McNair

Elementary and

D.A. Hulcy

Middle Schools

in Dallas. She

is currently the

candidate for

S a l u t a t o r i a n

of the 2006

g r a d u a t i n gclass of almost 400 students

of Bridgettes achievements

Battalion Commander of th

JROTC Battalion, cast mem

Dallas Independent School D

television show School Zone

Project Turn Around intern, N

Honor Society member, Who


REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. Cadet An-drew Adcock, University of Alabama,

receives the Bronze Star on behalf of his

grandfather, Sergeant Harold Adcock,

from Maj. Gen. James Pillsbury, Com-

mander of Redstone Arsenal. Andrewsgrandfather, was awarded the Bronze

Star posthumously, for his exceptional

bravery while serving in the Norden Sol-

omon Campaign, Pacific Theater Opera-

tions, World War II, 1944-1945. Sergeant

Adcock was not only part of the Ala-bama National Guard, but served with

the 31st Infantry Division throughout

World War II. He was also the recipient

of the Purple Heart, the Combat Infan-

trymans Badge, and the Pacific TheaterVictory Liberation medal.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas CadeValdivieso, a Roadrunner Batta

ology major at San Antonio Co

given the oath of enlistment byMichael Podojil, Professor of

Science at University of Texa

Antonio. Valdivieso has been a

the first-ever scholarship that p

funding for one year at San ACollege and two years at the UT

See Newsbriefs,

Around the Region

NewsbriefsStanford cadet makes

Sports IllustratedA-List

STANFORD, Calif. Army ROTC

Cadet and college Rugby stand-out

Olivia Anglade was named to Sports

Illustrateds A-List, athletes described

by the magazine as the coolest, the

hottest, the most-of-the-moment, the

cream of the crop. Anglade is an

engineering major set to graduate and

commission in June, after which she

will begin her masters in engineering

at Stanford. She began playing Rugby

as a freshman and was the named her

teams most valuable player her junior

year in their championship gameagainst Penn State.

Los Lunas HS shares

annual Christmas cheer

LOS LUNAS, N.M. Presents,

tinsel, Christmas trees, and family

gatherings are things most children

look forward to each December.

Some children dont have the luxury

of the ideal family-oriented holiday.

Every year JROTC cadets here throw

a Christmas party for the children of

inmates at the local minimum security

center. This year, Cadet Christopher

Fleischer headed the party. Accordingto Cadet Kari Anderson, the party

served its intended purpose. I learned

how much of an impact one day can

make on a childs life, Anderson

said. The goal of the party is to give

the children an opportunity to enjoy

a cheerful Christmastime. Fleischer

and a team of helpers organized and

provided a variety of games, food and

entertainment for children of varying

ages. Cadets spent time playing with

the children from board games to

basketball. It was fun to be able to

reach out and bring joy to a little childs

life, said Cadet Nicole Archuleta.

Legion of Valor Bronze Cross

awarded to Omaha cadet

OMAHA. Neb. Cadet Brent Kraay,

Omaha North HS, was presented the

Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for

Achievement. Kraay is one of 13 students

nationwide to receive the award, which

is based on leadership ability, academic

achievement, JROTC participation, and

community and school activities.

Alabama JROTC cadets aim high

VINCENT, Ala. Twenty Vincent

HS senior soared high over the green

hills of Alabama Feb. 24 to participate

in aerial refueling of six Alabama

National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcons

stationed at Dannly Field. The cadets

flew with the 117th Aerial Refueling

Wing out of Birmingham Air National

Guard Base. After a short orientation

briefing, cadets boarded a KC-135R

and flew directly over Vincent and

Harpersville, Ala., to a rendezvous withthe F-16s. Within 30 minutes of take-

off, six F-16s appeared off the wingtips

of the refueler. Cadets were allowed to

view the refueling mission from the

boom operators pod at the rear of the

large four engine tanker plane. During

the planes take-off and landing, cadets

were allowed to sit directly behind the

pilots and experience the sights and

sounds of the cockpit.

Nurse previews Army career

for Michigan students

KALAMAZOO, Mich. Capt.

Jodelle Schroeder, Army Nurse Corps,spoke by invitation recently to Student

Nurse Association members at Western

Michigan University. The SNA is a

student-run organization that works to

develop WMU nursing students. The

associations president, Cadet Melonie

Peebles, a nursing cadet in ROTC,

arranged for Schroeder to speak to

her fellow nursing students, hoping

the experience would generate some

interest in the Army. I wanted to have

Captain Schroeder speak to the SNA

in order to educate them about Army

nursing as a profession to offer the

students information about being an

Army nurse. Peebles said numerous

students expressed an increased interest

and respect for Army Nursing.

Hawkeye cadets sustain

tradition to celebrate success

IOWA CITY, Iowa The University

of Iowa Mighty Hawkeye Battalion

hosted more than 230 guests for a

Military Ball Feb. 18 to celebrate the

vision of the future success of the

cadets. The event also brought together

alumni, parents and distinguished

guests. Two prestigious awards were

handed out that evening to two MSIVs for their relentless pursuit of

excellence. Cadet Jared Josephsen

received the Gen. George C. Marshall

Award and Cadet Francis De Rosa

received the Hanson Award in honor

of distinguished alum, the late Lt. Col.

Lynn Hanson. The Lyle Hanson family

presented the $1,000 award in memory

of their brother.

Cadets and vets team up to

draw blood for a good cause

HUNTSVILLE, Texas The Sam

Houston State University Army ROTCBearkat Battalion and the and The Melvin

White VFW Post 5871 hosted a blood

drive Feb. 21-22 to support Soldiers

serving in Iraq. The nine Robertson

Blood Center personnel from Darnell

Army Community Hospital drove

from Fort Hood, Texas, and collected

106 units of blood that were shipped

to Iraq to arrive within 5-10 days from

the time of donation. Cookies, beef

Benne


5/8


ALLEN PARK, Mich. A local language

institute provided training support for

the University Of Michigan recently

during a training exercise to help cadreteach cultural sensitivity and problem

solving skills. The training included cul-

tural sensitivity training in Iraqi Arabic

customs and live scenarios where

Iraqi-American role-players from the

institute acted out real-life situationsand provided an opportunity for future

U.S. Army offi cers to solve problems

that they might encounter in Iraq. The

World Trade Center Detroit/Windsor

Translation Services and Languages In-stitute provides these services to help

the U.S. Army reshape its future offi cerpreparedness for overseas missions

and in dealing with foreign cultures.

These role-playing scenarios included

simulated meetings between the U.S.Army Offi cer candidates and religious

and tribal leaders. The scenarios were

conducted in Arabic, with interpreters

from the WTCDW providing language

translation and interpretation for thebenefit of a realistic scenario.

From Newsbriefs, Page 4

NATCHITOCHES, La. A new unit from

Northwestern State Universitys ROTC

joined the 26-mile race across the des-ert of White Sands, N.M., March 26, com-

memorating the Bataan Death March.

Crossing the finish line above are Ca-

dets William Messick, Jason Andreoni,

Nathan Tillotson, Justin Moss and Jona-

than Arnold. In the background is Capt.Greg Hickerson, a full-time NSU students

who also participated in the march. Ac-

cording to Cadet Justin Moss, offi cer in

charge of the teams, the cadets trained

for almost two months to prepare forthe 26-mile course, which tackles some

rough terrain. We have been training

about six days a week 8 to 12 hours

per week for the event, said Moss.

Our workouts consist of six-mile roadmarches with a 35-pound rucksack for

the heavy team, and nine miles without

a pack for the light team.

MU Alpha Theta Calculus Club, and

a member at Rightway Missionary

Baptist Church, Congressional

nomination by Congresswoman Eddie

Bernice Johnson to attend West Point

Military Academy. Bennett said she

plans to have a career in Engineering.

8th Brigade announces

drill winners

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. The

8th Brigade Alabama State Army

JROTC Drill, Color Guard and

Academic Championships were

held here Jan. 21. Lanett HS was the

overall champion, taking first place

in Color Guard (Facsimile), Drill

Team (Demilitarized), Drill Team

(Facsimile), and Drill Team (Unarmed)

and Academic Challenge. Carver HS of

Birmingham was the State Champion

Color Guard (Demilitarized) and

Woodlawn HS of Birmingham wonthe State Championship (Unarmed

Color Guards).

MI offi cer returns to

Arizona under ORAP

TUSCON, Ariz. Second Lt.

James Ventre, a University of Arizona

graduate, returned to his former

battalion in January under a program

that puts new officers back on campus

for 10 days to share their experiences

with cadets without being charged

leave. The Officer Returning Alumni

Program is designed to help future

officers understand what its like to

experience the commissioning process

and subsequent training. After two

days I had briefed the senior cadets

and participated with them in morningPT, Ventre said. I also helped

the Recruiting Operations Officer

by talking to students interested in

ROTC. Ventre, formerly an enlisted

infantry Soldier for six years, was a

Green-to-Gold cadet who graduated

with a bachelors degree in business

management.

UA cadets earn

German proficiency badge

TUSCON, Ariz. University of

Arizona cadets recently competed for

the German Armed Forces Proficiency

Badge. The event takes place here

annually in March. The GAFPB is

awarded to cadets who demonstrate

superior cardiovascular, mental

and physical endurance; technical

knowledge; and marksmanship. The

competition consists of several different

events, and the cadets are awarded a

gold, silver, or bronze medal to wear

on their uniforms upon completion

of the competition. The events

include track and field, swimming,

9mm pistol marksmanship, a test to

measure knowledge of first aid, and a

18.7-mile ruck march. All contracted

Army cadets are required to competein all events, but earning the badge is

difficult. I didnt do too well on the

track and field events, said Cadet Dan

Ricketts, because I have bad form and

coordination, but the ruck march is

100 percent mental. Ricketts finished

first in the 18.7 mile march this year

in 3 hours and 40 minutes, followed

closely by the first place female, Holly

Koehmstedt. Once a cadet earns the

German Armed Forces Proficiency

Badge, it is recognized by the Army

as a certified foreign badge. The badge

is allowed to be worn on all dress

uniforms, even after cadets becomecommissioned officers in the Army.

Cadets help with

emergency evacuations

OREGON CITY, Ore. Heavy

rains have contributed to flooding

and mudslides that have plagued the

Oregon City area, but JROTC cadets

helped ensure some residents remained

safe after their apartment building

was required to be evacuated. More

than 55 cadets in all moved residents

and distributed flyers reporting up-

to-date details of the danger. Several

residents were relocated and otherswere transported to an American Red

Cross facility.

Mountain Rangers team up with

McDonalds to welcome troops

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.

Members of the Mountain Ranger

Battalion at the University of Colorado

Colorado Springs joined forces with

Hungry Heroes, a local organization

of civilian volunteers and McDonald

franchise owners, to welcome home

troops from Iraq. The cadets and

volunteers Feb. 17 and 19 met members

of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regimentat the Colorado Springs Jet Center with

cheers and free food.

UAF cadet named

Soldier of the Year

FAIRBANKS, Alaska Cadet

Stephanie Weimer, an MS I biology

student at the University of Alaska

Fairbanks, is also a private first class

selected as the Alaska National

Soldier of the Year. A medical sp

with the 207th Infantry Group

Richardson in Anchorage, Weim

also the only female selected

Nanook Battalions Ranger Ch

team.

Alabama JROTC lend reali

to emergency trainingWILSON, Ark. The O

Emergency Management of Mis

County, Ark., conducted a si

disaster to exercise emergency r

procedures in the Northeast A

region on March 17. Under th

of Rivercrest High School J

twenty-eight Rivercrest student

as victims for emergency resp

including police, fire, medical

and hazardous materials r

teams. The simulated disaster

train derailment involving ha

chemicals which occurred in

small time. Students were psymptoms ranging from

injuries to chemical burns. The

performances received accolad

both local and state officials f

support and enthusiasm. S

participating in the exercise we

Andrew, Jessica Blackman,

Bolden, Natalie Cissell, Sa

Clay, Meagan Conley, Emily

Samantha Facon, Draethan

Zach Frans, Christina Gaston,

Gillmore, Sarah Gryner, Paige

Brandon Lucius, Brandi

Brittany Martin, Joanna Montg

Candy Nichols, Jason PeytonRalph, Jonathan Reid, K

Robinson, Elizabeth, Meghan

Sylvia Ware, Jasmine Willia

Rhonda Wilson.

Cadets commissioned at

All-American Bowl

SAN ANTONIO, Texas

ROTC was part of the pr

festivities Jan. 7 at this yea

American Bowl, a nationally t

all-star game in which the be

school senior football player

across the country play. Bac

an array of cadets, two 12th cadets from University of Texa

Antonio were sworn in by Gen.

Cody, Vice Chief of Staff of th

Second Lts. Christopher

and Shannon Christian gradu

December. Nearly 800 Junior

cadets received special invita

attend the game and more th

senior Cadets and cadre atten

game to show support for ROT


6/8


By Cadet Alec Kinczewski

Tulane University

NEW ORLEANS Hurricane

Katrina, a storm packing 100-mile

per hour-plus winds and a wall of

water more than 30-feet high, hit New

Orleans Aug. 29, causing tremendous

damage and forcing millions of people

to evacuate and find safety.

The Orleans Battalion, along with

Tulane University and other partnership

schools were hard hit. The cadets

enrolled in schools across the nation

to continue their education and ROTC

experience. They found themselves in

locations from Boston to Berkeley, at37 different schools. Once the semester

was over, all but three returned to

New Orleans in January. Those who

returned found a city very different

from when they left, but were ready

to continue their education to become

warrior leaders.

The Commander of Cadet

Command, Maj. Gen. W. Montague

Winfield, visited the battalion March 23

along with 8th Brigade Commander,

Col. Eli Ballard, and Command Sgt.

Maj. Major Washington to review

the state of the battalion and hand out

accolades. Winfield said the cadets

are all heroes for returning to New

Orleans.

Just before the storm hit last

summer, the city was evacuated. Cadet

Katherine Ireland, an MS III nursing

student at Holy Cross, relocated with

her family to Natchitoches, La., and

attended Northwestern State University

of Louisiana. When she returned to

New Orleans, Ireland found several

feet of water had entered her home and

burst the pipes. She is currently livingwith friends due to the difficulty finding

habitable apartments.

Cadet Jean Aponte, MS III, was

with his Louisiana National Guard unit

and stayed in New Orleans during the

hurricane and participated in recovery

efforts. He was at the Superdome, where

victims of the storm were sheltered.

It was unlivable, Aponte said. It

was also a learning experience, and

overall I came out of the hurricane very

fortunate in comparison to others.

The cadre didnt escape unscathed

either. Every cadre members home

received some degree of damage, withseveral losing everything. Sergeant

1st Class David Todd evacuated to

Natchitoches during Katrina, which

severely damaged his home in New

Orleans. The home he was renting in

Natchitoches was hit by a tree during

Hurricane Rita.

Despite the losses, the battalion is

continuing with its business. Tulane

University, as well as the other

universities in New Orleans, reopened

in January. Much was lost in the wrath

of Katrina and Rita, and for many, the

struggle to rebuild is only beginning.

Orleans Battalion cadets are taking

part in numerous community service

programs, ranging from gutting homes

to teaching at local schools, to help in

the rebuilding effort.

While Tulane ROTC and the rest

of New Orleans took a major hit

during Hurricane Katrina, the Orleans

Battalion still maintains the second

highest commissioning rate in the 8th

Brigade.

Cadet Jean Aponte

Tulane University

Its difficult to put on paper the

experience of being in New Orleans

throughout Hurricane Katrina.

The questions Im asked most are

How was it in the Superdome?

and Was it as bad as the media

was making it out to be?

For the first few days the

Superdome was like an island,

in the sense that we really didnt

know what was going on outside.

The first day after the storm I

remember going outside and beingtaken aback by the sight of all the

water surrounding me and seeing

SUVs submerged completely under

water as far as I could see.

The best word to describe

the atmosphere inside the dome

was tense. The conditions were

unlivable, the smell of 20,000

people using the same bathrooms

with no running water is

indescribable. The people were

restless and no one, aside from the

highest ranking officials, had any

idea of what was going to happen.

You slept when you had a

moment and never for more

three hours.

It seemed that for the

few nights every time w

down at the end of the day

were awakened moments lat

respond to a situation, inclu

the night that one of our Sol

was shot in the leg with his

weapon by one of the evac

The night that sticks out most i

mind is when we were awak

and told to pack our gear an

prepared to leave immed

because the generator was gto be submerged under water

all the lights inside and outsi

the dome were going to go o

It was a learning experience

overall I came out of the hurri

very fortunate in compariso

many others.

I have to say I never once s

reporter walking the corrido

the Superdome, only a camera

on one occasion. Id honestly

to say the media didnt real

justice to the experience insid

Superdome.

How bad was it really?Soldier-cadet operates on the ground in Ne

Orleans; gets first-hand view of Superdom

Orleans Battalion regroups, begins again

Maj. Gen. W. Montague Winfield, Commander, Cadet Command, hands out coins

to the cadets who have returned to the Orleans Battalion in New Orleans.


7/8


By Col. Steve Corbett

Commander, Western Region

The secret of success at Warrior Forge 2006 is

the exact same as it was when I attended Camp

Adventure (what an awful, un-hooah name ...)

As I was getting ready to go to Camp, way

back in 1979, Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Sutter, my MS

III instructor, called us all into his office and handed

each of us a sealed manila envelope. He told us not

to open it until we got to Fort Lewis, and to share

the information with no one else. But inside the

envelope, he slyly winked, was the Top Secret Key

to Success at Camp. What was it, we wondered.

Eight digit grids to the land nav points? Instructions

for small, hand-held nuclear devices to use on the

OpFor? Schematics of the FLRC? Upon arriving at

Fort Lewis, and ripping open the envelope in the

privacy of a porta-john, I found a Peanuts cartoon,

with a picture of Charlie Browns nemesis, Lucy.

Lucy had one of those voice clouds coming out of

her mouth, and she was saying, If you cant be right,be wrong with confidence and authority.

That was it, the Top Secret Key to Success. Sutter

was, and remains, absolutely right. Both then and

now. We dont expect cadets to know everything. We

dont expect them to be John Wayne, Audie Murphy

and Lara Croft all rolled into one. We expect them to

try as hard as they can, assess situations, formulate

and articulate their plan, and lead their fellow cadets

as best they can.

Bring a phone card and tell everyone you

know your address. Letters help the time go

faster.

Grab some extra trash bags when you can.

They work great as rain gear and you will be

popular since you will have a grabage bag

for all the trash. Without one you have to

carry it around with you in your rucksack.

Always take fruit from the cafeteria. It

works great for snacks at night or in thefield. Believe me you will get hungry for

something anything other than MREs.

Always tell family and friends to send

food that you can share with your platoon

members, who will love you for it

Rachael Walters, Notre Dame

Have a mosquito net for your face,

and make sure you bring bug spray. Also,

make sure you always have your cold gear

available. I sent mine back at the halfway

point between Squad STX and Patrolling

and regretted it because the next couple of

nights and mornings were freezing cold.

Sean Pearl, Notre Dame

Bring 100 mph Tape: Most people in

your squad will not have this very important

tool, which will make the fact that you have

Warrior Forge 2006 draws nea(these cadets are notrunning to be first in line

How NOT to succeed at Warrior Forge:

1. Dont have the Dominos Guy deliver pizza to

your barracks during Peer Ratings. All that youll

get is pepperoni stained cadets that still rank you

dead last.

2. Dont be too inspired by SGM Fortunatos

Recondo Rocks that he has cadets put into their

pockets before they go down the Slide For Life his

original idea was cement-filled 55 gallon drums.

3. Dont stop to check your GPS at every corner of

the two-mile run course. We know its complicated,

and well eventually find those four cadets who are

still out there from 2002.

4. Do not use your cell phone to call in to the Land

Nav TOC to tell us youre lost.

5. Chanting You Cant Smoke a Rock at the Gas

Chamber only gets you multiple return trips inside.

5a. There really arent extra points for the

Longest Loogie Produced at the Gas Chamber.

6. Reporting in to Warrior Forge with golf clubs,

squash rackets and your mountain bike only gets

unpleasant attention.

7. The bear who lives on the Land Nav Course

is the rightful owner; dont argue with her about

eminent domain.8. You stick out when you put on a big foam rubber

nose with your camouflage at Patrol STX.

9. Remember that the porta-johns are only three

feet wide, which is why we make you wear four feet

of TA-50.

10. Remember when you come in on the Victory

March from Patrol STX if you use a jodie that

ends with, I wish I could do it all again you

might get to.

TIPS FROM THE TOP

E

X

P

E

R

T

A

D

V

I

C

E

it that much more important. You will need this for

labeling and TA-50 preparation.

As important as the tape is the black permanent

marker. Again, most will not have one and to share it

will bring instant credibility.

Wire Hangers: These will come in very handy for

hanging up clothes and making space in your small

wall locker.

Laura Lane, Purdue

Be prepared for that last thing you think youll need

to be prepared for. Find the best thing to do under those

circumstances and do it, leaving the complaining out

of it.

If you are going to make a decision, ma

you have a good reason to make it and

it after youve made it. Any decision i

than no decision and not following throug

decision is the same as not making one. Y

more effective if you choose to have you

run up a hill screaming than if you have th

to do it, then change your mind half way t

TACs see that as a leadership weakness.

Mike Willard, Notr

I wish that I had brought snivel gear, a

liner, and more minutes on my calling car

your tent stakes and poles to use when se

your hooch. Keep the sides of the hooc

because if its not youll wake up in a pud

I did. And tie a firm knot to close the hol

your head normally goes.

Jason Hall, Seattle Un

Prepare both physically and mentally. B

to smoke the PT test for the physical an

the OPORD process for the mental. Be p

to build a team out of a group of strangers

D. Wayne Purucker, Notr


8/8


TRAIN TO LEAD! WE COMMISSION!

Texas teamworkSAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The female color guard of Robert G. Cole High Schools Cougar Battpresented the colors for the Texas Independence Day celebration held at The Alamo, San A

nio, Texas, on March 2. Left to right: Cadets Jennifer Gibson, Caitlin Gresenz, Calylla Gritz

Ginger Thompson.

Field Report

University of Alaska Fairbanks

BIG LAKE, Alaska The last

two miles seemed like 10, said an

exhausted Joshua Hull, a University

of Alaska Fairbanks cadet. He was

one of five Nanook Battalion members

who braved the cold to participate in

the Little Susitna 50k Feb 18.

The 31.1-mile race follows dog sled

trails across frozen swamps and lowridges from Big Lake to a turn-around

point along the Little Susitna River in

south-central Alaska. The race is an

off-shoot to the Iditasport, a multi-

sport cross country race which has

been a staple for serious winter athletes

for years.

Its a real gut-check, said Maj.

Nathan Burnham, race participant and

Recruiting and Enrollment Officer

for the battalion. None of us are real

marathoners, but the race helped us

each raise the bar in terms of body

strength and mental toughness. It was a

great chance for us to test ourselves.

I enjoyed training up for it,

said Cadet Eric Mtike, a cadet who

commissions as a lieutenant in May.

I learned about myself and my limits.

But, he said with a smile, the best

part was crossing the finish line. Thats

what I like best about running: thestopping part.

I have never done anything like

this before, said Capt. Peter Nesbitt,

Operations and Training Officer. But

I wanted to show the cadets we practice

the lifelong commitment to physical

fitness that we preach to them all the

time.

The goal of the group was t

the cross country race in aro

hours. They did it. Cadet Eri

finished first of the group with

of 5:20 and Cadet Ethan C

finished at 5:30, while the

Burnham and Nesbitt came in

and 6:20. respectively. Cadet

Hull experienced knee problem

training that flared up during t

Hull managed to finish, limpin

the finish line just before dark.This is exactly the sort of

like to see our cadets do, s

Col. Cameron Carlson, Profe

Military Science and Leadersh

want the Armys future leade

tough enough to deal with

conditions, and this race show

these guys are ready.

L to R: Maj. Nathan Burnham, Cadet

Ethan Caldwell, Capt. Peter Nesbitt, Ca-

det Erik Mtike and Cadet Joshua Hullgeared up for the Little Susitna 50k, a

race named after a popular river near

Anchorage, Alaska.

UAF cadets, cadre plow across frozen north to finish 50k footra

Field Report

University of North Dakota

MANKATO, N.D. A Fighting Sioux Battalion graduate

and commissionee is back at the University of North Dakota

serving as a Goldbar Recruiter.

Second Lt. Scott Dickmeyer graduated in December with a

commercial aviation degree and a minor in military science. He

was a Helicopter Flight Training Program Scholarship recipient in

2003. The new lieutenant, a native of Champlin, Minnesota, about

280 miles from Mankato, grew up excited about aviation, which

makes the UND

Helicopter Flight

Training Program a

perfect fit.

I came to the

University of North

Dakota becauseof the outstanding

reputation the

aviation school

has particularly

UNDs fixed wing

aviation program, Dickmeyer said. During my freshman year

I completed the fixed wing course, which is approximately 50

flying hours in a piper warrior. My life continued to get more

complicated when I become a father during my sophomore year.

Knowing that I wouldnt finish college without some kind

of financial assistance, I sought help and found a home at the

UND program, Dickmeyer said. In January 2003 I competed

for and received a Helicopter Scholarship worth $93,500. This

scholarship pays for 175-185 actual flight hours, which would

allow me to branch as an Army Aviator and earn FAA Private,

Commercial and Instrument ratings in helicopters.

Dickmeyer

UND helo program

gets back its own

Goldbar Leader April 2006

Documents

Transcript of Goldbar Leader April 2006