Spring 2015
Military Science
and Leadership
Big Spring Commission Class
Upcoming Events
31 Aug – 4 Sep
8 Sep
9-10 Oct
16-17 Oct
Fall Welcome
Classes Begin
Rivalry Run
Fall LDX
24 Oct
WMU Homecoming
11 Nov
Veterans Day Blood Drive
and other activites
12 Nov
Veterans Day Dinning-In
26-30 Nov
Thanksgiving Break
Commissioning
11 Dec
12 Dec
Graduation
13 Feb 16
Military Ball
Spring Commissioning
Twenty New Lieutenants
Commissioning in the United States Army is an achievement that comes from
years of focus, hard work, and determination. The WMU Army ROTC Program is
proud to announce the commissioning of 20 Second Lieutenants. During their
time at WMU they have displayed the ability to lead soldiers, work efficient and
effectively as a team, and coordinate training. All of their abilities, including
innovation and the ability to adapt, will be put to the test in the upcoming months
when they enter their Basic Officer Leadership Course for each of their
respective branches. These lieutenants will be serving in all three components of
the Army: the Regular Army, Reserve, and National Guard.
The new officers are listed on page 2. The WMU ROTC program looks forward to
sending these Lieutenants out into their respective branches and can say with
confidence that every one of them will perform their duties and responsibilities as
Army Officers with excellence.
Colonel Christoper Greaves
Guest Speaker
Wall of Fame Inductee
Ready to Serve

2LT Bryan D. Alger
Corps of Engineers
Reserve Duty

2LT Michael D. Churchill
Corps of Engineers
Active Duty

2LT Noah R. Baker
Military Intelligence
Active Duty

2LT Robert F. Floeter
Military Intelligence
Reserve Duty

2LT Dylan J. Benit
Aviation
Active Duty

2LT Daniel Kransberger
Corps of Engineers
Reserve Duty

2LT Joseph D. Benzinger
Military Intelligence
Active Duty

2LT Heather A. Lauck
Adjunct General
Reserve Duty

2LT Courtney A. Black
Medical Service Corps
Active Duty

2LT Connor K. Lyons
Ordnance Corps
Active Duty

2LT Gregory A. Miller
Military Police Corps
Active Duty

2LT Scott C. Smith
Corps of Engineers
Reserve Duty

2LT Zachary R. Morrison
Military Police
Reserve Duty

2LT Jeffrey A. Steele
Infantry
Active Duty

2LT Phillip D. Moses
Military Police
Reserve Duty

2LT Mariah T. Sutton
Army Nurse Corps
Active Duty

2LT Chantal B. Robinson
Corps of Engineers
Reserve Duty

2LT Jeb S. Wierenga
Quartermaster Corps
Active Duty

2LT Mason B. Smith
Infantry
Reserve Duty

2LT Michael J. Zantello
Infantry
Active Duty
End of Camp and Summer Commissionees
Headline
Six New Lieutenants to Commission Later
Not everyone commissioned on 1 May
2015. Other cadets still have classes to
complete or a camp to attend or have
later graduation dates. Their date of
commissionings are pushed out until
later in the year.
On May 22, 2015, at Calvin College
Chapel in Grand Rapids MI the
following two cadets commissioned.
 2LT Monica Limbach
Signal Corps
Active Duty
On June 27, 2015, the following cadet
will commission at Bronco Battalion
 2LT Tyler B. Dodge
Reserve Duty
On August 31, 2015, the following cadet
will commission at Bronco Battalion.
 2LT Frank M. Dostie
Reserve Duty
The following Cadets will commission at
Fort Knox, KY after completing the Cadet
Leaders Course.
 2LT Blankenship
Corps of Engineers
Reserve Duty
 2LT Rainone
Reserve Duty
 2LT Brigman Rees
Reserve Duty
2
2015 Military Ball
By Cadet Mariah Sutton
Guest Speaker Dr.
Alen Lewandowski
shares his insight on at
the military ball.
Everyone cuts loose
afterwards.
unt elit. Etiam purus
Another Record Breaker
This past ball marked the Bronco
Battalion’s 64th annual military ball.
Cadets and their families and friends
come from all around the country to
partake in the ceremony. For senior
cadets this is the final Bronco battalion
military ball as a cadet. They will soon
be commissioning and graduating. The
previous three military ball celebrations
have only been events where this
marks the final celebration before
commissioning when they pin on those
gold bars and enter into the
professional world as an Army Officer.
Many of the senior cadets brought their
families to partake and celebrate with
them this year. The total head count
was a record breaking 374 people.
Cadets brought their families through a
receiving line of major parties. LTC
Hains and his wife Caroline along with
the guest speaker greeted hundreds of
people at the black tie affair. After the
receiving line guests were invited to find
their seats and socialize before the
ceremony began.
The beginning of the ceremony started
with the posting of the colors that the
cadet lead color guard performed
beautifully. After the colors were posted
the Kalamazoo Mall City Harmonizers
began their rendition of the National
Anthem and the Service Medley. When
that was finished Father Bob Creagan
provided the invocation and the night
had then begun.
Traditions Continue
As tradition at the Bronco Battalion
military ball, there is always a fallen
comrade table set up near the stage.
The fallen comrade table is in memorial
for those who sacrificed their lives for
their country. The explanation of the
tribute to our fallen comrades was
provided by CDT Lyons.
The cadet creed was then recited by all
of the cadets present followed
immediately by the charging of glasses
for the toasting ceremony. At each table
the youngest cadet was given the
opportunity to fill everyone’s
complimentary Western Michigan
University scotch glasses with sparkling
cider and then as a group the entire
party toasted as a sign of appreciation.
Dinner was served after the introduction
by LTC Hains and everyone enjoyed
their meals. The guest speaker, Dr.
Alan Lewandowski gave a very
interesting speech to the entire
ballroom and the ceremony was
followed by a short slideshow video
that encompassed the successes of
the Bronco Battalion this past year. The
night then was very entertaining as
every headed to the dance floor and
danced all night. The military ball didn’t
fully end until about midnight. Everyone
had a wonderful time and there were
The Kalamazoo Mall City
Harmonizers sang the
National Anthem and
Service Medley
smiles and laughter throughout the
ballroom. The Bronco Battalion 2015
military ball was a success and we
hope to see you all next year!
3
Combat Water Survival Training
By Cadet Zachary Morrison
Charlie Company conducted Lab 5
(CWST) on 9 February 2015. This Lab
took place at the Venema Aquatic Center
within the Spoelhof Fieldhouse on Calvin
College’s campus. The Cadets arrived
very early and began to sanitize their
ACUs in the Rec Center locker rooms.
They formed up on the pool deck
soaking wet waiting for the Lab to start.
During first formation they took
accountability and received brief
instruction from the MSIVs. Upon
completion of first formation, the Cadets
striped down into swimwear and entered
the diving well for a ten minute swim.
Tired from the free-swim, the Cadets
hung on the edge of the pool for a quick
breather before heading back into open
water to conduct a five minute tread
water.
MSIVs were quick to hand of M16s
(“rubber ducks”) to the Cadet and four
M16s began circulating among the
Cadets and they struggled to keep their
heads above the water. Upon completion
of the tread water, the second half of
CWST began. Cadets split up into three
even sized groups and dispersed among
the three test stations.
The “Ranger Swim” was the first test to
get underway. This consists of a 25meter swim while holding an M16 rifle
above one’s head and out of the water.
Cadets were thrown backwards into the
pool and began their one length swim.
Simultaneously, Cadets were attempting
the “equipment drop.” This station
consists of Cadets wearing a LBV (Load
Bearing Vest) and holding a rifle in front
of their bodies. An MSIV threw them
backwards into the pool.
Cadets had to be disciplined enough to
exhale the air from their lungs, letting
themselves sink deeper into the water,
then let go of the rifle, unclip the LBV,
and drop all equipment before breaking
the surface. This station oftentimes took
more than one try, however, Cadets had
fun and all Cadets passed this station.
The third station of CWST was the 3meter-dive. Cadets waited in line and
some of them tried to hide their nerves.
When it was their turn, Cadets climbed
the ladder up to the high dive. They
grasped their weapon and an MSIV put a
soft cap over their head in order to cover
their eyes. With the rifle out in away from
Ghost Mountain Boys Staff Ride
For our Staff Ride this semester, our MSIV Cadets read The Ghost Mountain Boys by
James Campbell (2007), a gripping true story of the Michigan-based Army National
Guard’s 126th Infantry Battalion’s 130-mile, 42-day trek along the treacherous Kapa
Kapa Trail, traversing some of the most savage jungles on New Guinea and crossing
the cruel 10,000-foot Owen Stanley Mountain Range to attack the Japanese at the
village of Buna on the island’s northern coast.
Each Cadet selected a topic ranging from the strategic setting, pre-deployment
training, terrain, engineer operations to post-deployment operations and conducted an
analysis brief to their classmates.
On April 3rd, we visited the Grand Valley Armory on 44th Street in Grand Rapids to see
the some of the artifacts from the 126th Infantry who lineage is now held by the 126th
Cavalry headquarters at the Armory. We concluded the tour with a group discussion
on key leadership lessons learned from The Ghost Mountain Boys.
their bodies, Cadets blindly shuffled to the
edge of the high dive.
The next step was to jump off and sound
of loudly with the name of the branch they
want upon commissioning. Throughout
the entire lab, shouts of “Infantry” and
“Med Corps.” could be heard from
anywhere on the pool deck.
Once cadets completed all of the CWST
events, many of them went back to
complete the events again, just for fun.
Overall, Charlie Co. had a very
successful, educational, and fun CWST
Lab, which provided good training for a
good group of Cadets.
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4
Reading is FUNdamental
By Cadet TylerWorzek
Woods Lake Elementary School
I was given the opportunity to read to kindergarten and first grade students at Woods Lake Elementary School in Kalalmazoo MI on
Wednesday, February 25, 2015. Our first reading session was in the first grade classroom. The kids were given a choice of 5 different
books that I would read to them. They made the excellent choice of The Bippolo Seed by Dr. Seuss.
While reading I asked the children questions about the story in order to include them and keep their attention. One of these questions was,
“If you had a Bippolo seed what would you wish for?” After choosing a few students to share their wish to the class, I had everyone whisper
their wish—as quietly as they could—on the count of three to make sure no one would feel left out.
After calling on several children who wished for things only for themselves, one of the students’ answers came as quite a surprise to me. A
small girl told me that her wish was for her friend to be able to go to Sky Zone. It was a nice change and it warmed my heart to see such
compassion in someone so young. After finishing our stories, we (Cadet Matthew Mueller, Cadet Natalie Westrate, and myself) asked if
they had any questions concerning college or ROTC.
Non Traditional Roles
After finishing and moving on to the next room the teacher thanked Cadet Westrate and myself, telling us how important it was for some of
the girls to see us. They need to see females in nontraditional roles and know that they can become anything they want.
In the kindergarten classroom, Cadet Mueller and Cadet Westrate finished their books and we were scheduled to leave. The teacher and
the students however, requested that I stay and have the chance to also read. Before leaving, Cadets Mueller and Westrate asked the
class if they had any questions for them to which the class fell silent.
After leaving, the students picked the story of Horton and the Kwuggerbug by Dr. Seuss. Once the story was over, the students again were
presented the chance to ask questions concerning college, ROTC, or the Army.
Out of the Mouth of Babes
The very first question asked was from a young boy, “Do you eat ham sandwiches?” To which a
young girl responded before I was able to, “Of course not, she probably has to eat grass and
stuff. She’s in the Army!” The teacher and I had a good laugh before explaining to the kids what
people in the Army actually eat and that I was in the ROTC program and how it all worked.
Overall, it was wonderful experience and quite enlightening to hear the
different questions and comments that were said by the soon to be future
generations. I would be delighted to
do it again.
[...she probably has
to eat grass and stuff.
She’s in the Army!]
5
Wall of Fame Induction
Colonel Christopher Garver began his career in the ROTC
Program at Western numerous leadership positions. He also
served four years in the WMU Rangers. He was the only WMU
cadet in his year group to earn the highest possible rating during
ROTC Advanced Camp at Ft Lewis, WA. During his final year, he
served as a Simultaneous Membership Program cadet and
Second Lieutenant in C Co., 2nd BN, 126th INF Regt. of the
Michigan Army National Guard in Wyoming, MI. He was
commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1988 as a Distinguished
Military Graduate. He left the National Guard when he entered
active duty in January 1989.
After completing the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Ft Benning,
GA, he was assigned to 4th ID at Ft Carson, CO. He served as a
platoon leader, mortar platoon leader, assistant operations officer,
and company executive officer in 2nd BN, 12th INF, 1st BDE, 4th ID.
After graduating from the Infantry Officer Advanced Course as the
Distinguished managing supervisor with Fleishman-Hilliard
International Communications in New York City in the Army’s
Training with Industry Program. Following that assignment, he was
selected to stand up the 10th Public Affairs. Operations Center
(PAOC), the Army’s only active duty public affairs operations
center at Ft McPherson, GA, and deployed with the 10 th PAOC to
Baghdad in support of OIF. While assigned to the Multi-National
Force–Iraq (MNF-I) Communications Div., he served as the
Combined Press Information Center Director, where he managed
the media operations for MNF-I, the American
After command, he attended the Public Affairs Officer (PAO)
Course in preparation for his next assignment as the Public Affairs
Observer/Controller for the Joint Readiness Training Center
(JRTC), Ft Polk, LA. At JRTC. Following this assignment, he
served as a brigade assistant operations officer of 5 th BDE, 87th
Div. (Training Support) and the battalion executive officer of 1 st BN,
345th Regt (Engineer)(Training Support) at Ft Jackson, SC. He
then served as the Public Affairs Operations Officer for Ft
Leavenworth, KS. He deployed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the
PAO and the Deputy Operations Officer for Army Forces Central
Command – Saudi Arabia, which served as a provisional air
defense brigade during the initial ground operations of Operation
Iraqi Freedom (OIF). He then returned to Ft Leavenworth and
served as the Public Affairs Observer/Trainer for the Battle
Command Training Program (BCTP), where he trained Public
Affairs sections and provided personal training.
Forces Network broadcast hub, and the Iraqi Media Engagement
Team. He also served as the daily spokesperson for MNF-I.
After returning, he moved the 10th PAOC to Ft Bragg, NC. He
served at Ft Meade, MD, as the chief of the Initiatives Group of the
Army Public Affairs Center (APAC), the doctrinal center of Army
Colonel Christopher Garver
inducted by peers on 1 May 2015
Public Affairs. After six months at APAC, he served as the military
deputy of the Media Relations Div. of Army Public Affairs at the
Pentagon for Army Headquarters. He served in that position for 2½
years before returning to APAC as Director. He was responsible for
developing and publishing the Army Public Affairs 2020 Roadmap,
laying out a strategic vision for Army Public Affairs into 2020.
Garver recently returned from Afghanistan where he served as the
Chief of Public Affairs for the International Security Assistance
Force Joint Command in Kabul. He led the public affairs effort for
the IJC and across six Regional Commands.
COL Garver holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from
WMU, a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts from Louisiana State
University, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy
from the National War College, the Army Command and General
Staff College, and the Defense Information School, Ft McNair,
Washington DC. His awards include the Bronze Star (1 OLC), the
Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal
(4 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), the Army
Achievement Medal (3 OLC), the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the
Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
COL Christopher Garver is the Chief of Public Affairs for the US
Army’s III Corps at Ft Hood, TX. He synchronizes the public affairs
effort for the corps headquarters, four US Army divisions, and eight
separate brigades. He also provides public affairs support to the
Commanding General of III Corps and Ft Hood as a member of his
personal staff.
His award and complete bio are hanging on the Wall of Fame at
Battalion.
6
Hope Young Alumni Award
Over the past fifteen years, 10,000 alumni have graduated from Hope College, among
them was our own Major (MAJ) Jeremy Latchaw. Students at Hope are educated to think
about important issues with clarity and wisdom as they bridge boundaries that divide
communities. The award recognizes outstanding achievements and tells the stories of
some of these alumni.
Hope students can learn from those that have gone before them through the Young
Alumni Workshops hosted by the Alumni Association and the Career Development.
MAJ Latchaw presented his workshop on April 8th at the Martha Miller Center of Hope
College in Holland, Michigan. His workshop was titled "Finding Purpose in Any Job".
An annual dinner celebrating Hope's young alumni was held on April 9 th at the Haworth Inn
and Conference Center in Holland, MI. Students were given the opportunity to meet the Young Alumni
Award recipients and hear their stories of life after.
MAJ Latchaw is a US Army officer and strategic consultant who is deeply committed to community service. He majored in business
administration and religion at Hope. As a student included participating in Army ROTC through Western Michigan University, and serving
as a volunteer with Hope College TRiO Upward Bound and Resident Assistant. Following graduation from Hope, he was commissioned as
a Second Lieutenant in the US Army, stationed initially in Texas. During his active service he deployed to Iraq where he earned the Bronze
Star. Later he served in Kuwait during 07-08 while in the US Army Reserve. He continues to serve in the Reserve and is an Associate
Professor of Military Science and Leadership in the Army ROTC program at Western Michigan University.
He served with the Boy Scouts of America in Kansas as a District Executive from 05-07 and as a Senior District Representative from 08-09.
In 09, he joined the management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, where he continues to serve as a consultant. In 09 he wrote the
book ”American Patriotism through the Eyes of an Eagle”, which won a Christian Choice Book Award.
Latchaw and his wife, Molly, relocated to Holland in 2013. They operate two Orange Leaf frozen yogurt franchises in the area, donating
20% of their profits to charity. His additional involvement in West Michigan has include serving as Vice President of Training for Cultivating
Holland and as the ROTC Awards Chair for the Michigan Sons of the American Revolution. His continued engagement with Hope has
ranged from hosting Hope-Calvin rivalry satellite parties to serving on his 10-year reunion committee to volunteering with the Center for
Faithful Leadership, Career Resource Network and Admissions program.
Leadership Reaction Course
By Cadet Michael Bearup
The Leadership Reaction Course (LRC) is
designed to establish and foster teamwork
between squad members as well as
develop our cadets into leaders. This is
done through the placing the cadets in
leadership positions that require mental
and physical strength in order to complete
the assigned task.
Our cadets were assigned lanes randomly
and from there an MSIII was tasked with
the position of squad leader. After being
briefed the mission and all safety
requirements from the lane evaluator, the
squad leader had three minutes in which
to brief his squad and develop a course of
action.
When three minutes had passed, the
squad could move into position and begin
executing the lane. Each lane had an
allowed time of
fourteen minutes to
complete the lane
from which they would
go directly into an After
Action Review with the
evaluator.
When the After Action Review
was complete the squad moved
to a new lane and a new squad
leader was picked to complete the
new task. The lanes that were picked
were more difficult and were chosen in
order to give the squad more of
challenge than other lanes would have
provided. The squad would rotate until
each MSIII had conducted a lane and from
there the squad stepped off the range to
conduct platoon time.
After completing the training the
cadets should have acquired a better
understanding as to how to lead a squad
through a task or obstacle. This range
demonstrates how to be an effective
leader and to use and lead your squad to
the best of your abilities.
7
Wounded Warrior Run
On Saturday, 18 April 18, our Cadets
hosted the 6th Annual Wounded Warrior
5K Run on Campus, raising over $10,000
to help the Wounded Warrior Project. The
Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit
organization that regularly hosts
fundraisers to raise awareness for injured
veterans and to provide resources to
support them in any way they can.
The starting point for the 5K was at the
WMU ROTC Bronco Battalion
Headquarters located at the top of the hill
on the Eastern end of campus. The route
weaved through the center of campus and
back to battalion to make the route a bit
challenging toward the end. Close
to 500 people who signed up for
the race and either ran, walked, or
carried a ruck sack through the hilly
terrain. They remained motivated with
smiles throughout the course.
We were honored to have US
Congressman Fred Upton and University
President John Dunn make time in their
busy schedules to participate in the
event. Congress Upton also provided the
opening remarks before the start of the
race.
Sponsors this year included Terra
Contracting Services, JBM Technology,
On Target Guns and Ammunition, Tim
Hortons, Harvester Restaurant, the Kenz
family, Buffalo Wild Wings, Gazelle Sports
and the Family of CPT Daniel Gipper,
USAF. This run could not happen with our
our sporters.
Thanks to SFC Van Huffel, our Army
National Guard Recruiter for providing
their blow-up obstacle course. Kids aged 5
through 50 enjoyed trying it at the end of
the race. And thanks to SFC Ivey, our
Army Reserve Recruiter, for providing us
with extra manpower from his brothers-inarms at the Recruiting Station onStadium
Drive. A special thanks goes to Cadets
David Reed and Michael Bearup for taking
the lead in planning and organizing the
event
Land Navigation
By: CDT Connor K. Lyons
The final phase of training for the 2015 Spring LDX was Land
Navigation. This training was conducted early in the morning on
Sunday, 29 March, located at the Land Navigation Training Area
5. The purpose of this training was to allow the cadets to apply
their knowledge of land navigation fundamentals to a land
navigation training area, while also improving team building skills.
Prior to the start of the training, the cadets conducted a road
march from the barracks to the land navigation site. Once the
cadets reached the Land Navigation Training Area 5 assembly
area, each platoon was given a brief on the course, where a
terrain model was created to give an overview of the entire area.
After receiving their brief and training packets, each platoon broke
into predetermined groups of three, which consisted of a MSI,
MSII and MSIII cadet. Each group had fifteen minutes to plot their
points and create a route they believed would be the most
efficient way
to move
through the
course.
Once the
fifteen
minutes ended,
each group set off, having only two hours
to find as many of their given points as possible.
The land navigation training area was a self-correcting course,
which was an aid to any groups who became disoriented. During
the training, the MSI and MSII cadets in each group acted as
team leaders, which allowed these cadets to develop their
leadership skills. This training event ended with an overall mission
success, which capped off an incredible weekend of training for
the Western Michigan University Army ROTC Bronco Battalion.
8
Ethics and Key Leadership Engagement
By Cadet Zachary Morrison
Recently the Bronco Battalion conducted its semiannual, leader development exercise at Fort Custer
Training Center in Augusta MI. During this exercise the seniors planned, resourced, and conducted all
training events.
Among all of the excellent training that was conducted was an ethical dilemma/ key leader engagement
scenario. The main purpose of this training was to place the cadets into a situation where they have to
make correct decisions in a fast paced and stressful scenario. At the same time there were ethical
dilemmas incorporated into each scenario where an event might seem morally wrong but in this society
it is culturally accepted. The cadets were forced to make a decision to act or to let it happen.
The training used the key leader engagement scenarios as a catalyst to let these ethical dilemmas
occur. During each scenario a squad of cadets were tasked
to enter a village and build a relationship with a foreign
population and speak with the village elder or leader about
any problems they may have and how to fix it. These villagers
had a different set of cultural and behavioral norms that were
different than we are used to in America.
The cadets had to use team work and critical thinking to come
up with solutions to solve all of the problems being thrown at
them in a fast paced scenario.
Virtual BattleSpace Program
By: CDT Monica Limbach
VBS3 is the third evolution of the military’s Virtual BattleSpace program. This program is owned by Bohemia Interactive, and seeks to
provide military personnel with the most life-like virtual reality available. VBS3 is infinitely programmable, and can be used by soldiers to
train anything from marksmanship, to patrols, to convoy operations. This allows soldiers the opportunity to train real-life scenarios in low
risk and inexpensive environments, regardless of overall training level or availability of resources.
The VBS3 system is operated on computers, with each soldier stationed at one laptop. Soldiers communicate with one another via
headset radios, and use the mouse, control keys, and special steering wheels to control themselves and their vehicles in the virtual
space.
Western Michigan University ROTC program used the VBS3 system in order to give cadets an opportunity to learn tactics and platoon
operations that they could not otherwise have practiced. Each ROTC platoon was given the opportunity to run a mission scenario
involving a mounted convoy.
The cadets were asked to respond to both direct and indirect fire, as well as respond to suspected IEDs and suspicious civilian
behavior. The cadets were asked to operate as a team, listening to and
assisting their platoon leader through each obstacle, as well as within
their own vehicles, where the machine gunner and the driver had to
communicate with the truck commander to efficiently operate their vehicle
and maintain positive security during the mission.
The cadets were exposed to a host of new operational methods and
scenarios, and were challenged to learn quickly and think even faster. By
giving cadets the chance to practice convoy operations in a virtual world,
cadets were able to develop skills that will prove useful throughout their
Army careers in a low-risk environment that facilitated learning and
development.
9
Cadets Apply the Fundamentals of Marksmanship
at Fort Custer
By Cadet Gregory A. Miller
For the Bronco Battalion, 5 am on March
28, 2015 rolled around quickly after a late
night of planning, briefing, and rehearsals.
Cadets awoke ready to train with a sense
of purpose to capitalize on the excellent
facilities and equipment available at the
Fort Custer Training Center.
The outdoor temperature at Fort Custer
remained between 10-20 degrees
Fahrenheit throughout the morning hours.
The first item on the training schedule was
a hot breakfast to get the day started. The
Cadets marched to the range complex
immediately after breakfast.
Immediately upon arriving to the range,
platoons situated their gear and ensured
everyone was in the correct uniform with
the appropriate safety equipment. They
received a safety brief including all
instructions pertaining to the range
procedures. There were enough weapons,
magazines, and firing points to get an
entire platoon of 30 personnel on the firing
line at the same time.
The Cadets of the Bronco Battalion did
not just show up to the range and fire
weapons. They spent weeks preparing for
the event. Starting in mid-February, they
devoted hours toward learning the
fundamentals of marksmanship, range
safety and procedures, and skills needed
to correctly make sight adjustments on
their individual weapons. In a true
example of leadership development,
Cadets planned, resourced, and executed
this training event with minimal oversight.
Each Cadet was given five five-round
magazines to make their best attempt to
group and zero their weapon. The method
of using five-round magazines instead of
three-round magazines mimics what is
done in the Army’s Initial Entry Training.
The result is that personnel who are less
familiar with rifle marksmanship are able
to more effectively determine the accuracy
of their shooting after each five-round
magazine is fired. After the Cadets fired
their grouping and zeroing rounds, they
were each given one 30-round magazine
with which to shoot in the alternate firing
positions of prone unsupported and
kneeling.
Many Cadets were successful in
accurately zeroing their weapons. This
allowed them to able to use precision
firing to place the majority of their rounds
in the center of the target in the alternate
firing positions. The firing range exercise
was used primarily for Cadets to become
familiar with the conduct a live fire range
and to apply the fundamentals of the
integrated act of firing.
10
PMS Corner
It seems hard to believe that I have served as the Professor of Military Science for three years now and feel
very fortunate to be afforded the great opportunity to serve another year here. Without a doubt, we are truly
one of the very best ROTC programs in the country and during the Spring semester we continued with an
impressive performance.
As we conducted our Academic Program Review for WMU and our annual performance review for Cadet
Command, the numbers are staggering. We continue to exceed the national averages for performance as
evidenced by our high order of merit scores. We have achieved our commission mission for as long as many
can remember. Last year we commissioned 17 officers against a mission of 17 and their average GPA was
3.20, exceeding the national average for ROTC programs. Over 20% of the commissioning class earned the
honor of Distinguished Military Graduate. For the graduating senior class, 30% earned overall leadership excellence ratings at the
Leadership Development and Assessment Course last summer and although this metric is being eliminated for future years, it is
clearly an indicator of the extraordinarily high-level and high-quality of education and training in our program.
We have already commissioned 25 against a mission of 23 this year, with another few to go after the Cadet Leader Course and
summer courses. We expect to commission over 30 against a mission of 19 next year! We have already met our contract mission for
Mission Set 17 and it is becoming more and more competitive to earn a spot in the upper level courses and pursue a commission.
Our Cadets also planned and executed a phenomenal military ball in February with a new record-breaking attendance of 374 at the
Grand Ballroom at the Radisson downtown. Mark your calendars for February 13 th, 2016 for another amazing evening of fun!
Our focus continues to be on leader and leadership development and the events that really highlight this across all Cadet classes are
our Leadership Development Exercises. With the changes to summer training, our focus changed from squad level leadership and
tactics to platoon level training with more emphasis on ethical decision-making. Our Cadet Leaders planned, resourced and executed
an absolutely phenomenal Spring LDX by incorporating platoon level movements, a virtual battlefield simulation, and an ethical
decision-making scenario complete with an Afghan village and role players. We also skillfully integrated a rifle range and land
navigation training so our Cadets did not lose sight of some basic Army skills.
On Saturday, April 18th, we hosted the 6th Annual Wounded Warrior 5K Run raising over $10,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project.
Nearly 500 people participated in the event which included remarks from US Congressman Fred Upton and University President John
Dunn. Organized by our Cadet leaders, this event highlights continued success with community support.
Just prior to our commission ceremony we inducted our commission speaker, COL Christopher Garver, WMU Bronco Battalion Class
of 1988 into the Alumni Wall of Fame. COL Garver is the Chief of Public Affairs for the US Army’s III Corps at Ft Hood where he
synchronizing the public affairs effort for the corps headquarters, four US Army divisions, and eight separate brigades. He provided
some exceptional insights from the field to guide our newly commissioned officers.
Over 50 Cadets are traveling this summer to various training and development activities including Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET),
the Cadet Leaders Course (CLC, formerly LDAC), Cultural Understanding and Language Program (CULP), Cadet Troop Leader
Training (CTLT), military schools, and study abroad. In fact, CDT Alex Gibson was awarded the prestigious Boren Scholarship from
the National Security Education Program for study abroad in Jordan starting in August 2015 through June 2016. We have many
Cadets doing GREAT things!
As we closed out the semester we bid farewell to MAJ Hoose and MAJ Gaylor, who both retired and CPT Harrington who is headed to
the Captains Career Course this summer. We thank all of them for their contributions in developing future leaders for the US Army.
We are well underway with Freshman Orientation and with only 6 of 10 orientation sessions complete, we already have over 50
freshman signed up for class in the fall. Please mark your calendars for our Fall Welcome Week events including the New Cadet and
Parent BBQ Luncheon on Monday, August 31st and a Football Game Tailgate on Friday, September 4 th prior to the WMU-MSU game.
BRONCOS LEAD THE WAY!
11
Spring 2015
2016
Military Ball
Date: Saturday, 13 February 2016
Location: Radisson Plaza Hotel, 100 West Michigan Avenue,
Kalamazoo Michigan
Cost: $50 per person (parking and beverages not included)
Call the office or Cris for more information at 269-387-8120 or
email her at cris.obreiter@wmich.edu
Military Science and Leadership
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5249
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