Contributing Authors:
Nate Delesline III, Emily
Vande Loo, Tara Scanlon, Michael Zero, Felix
Chujoy, Evan Bruccoleri, Alyssa Roessel, Ball
State Student Media,
Sarah
Triplett, and
Kathleen Francis
In this Issue:
Summer Awards List
Fall FTX
Ranger Challenge
Army10 Miler Team
Broadway High
School Fallen Heroes
Game
Airborne/AASLT
School
LDAC 2011
Duke Battalion Newsletter
Volume II, Issue I
Summer/Fall 2011
Flying into Fall FTX—Page 4
This year JMU ROTC had the
opportunity to fly out to their
Fall FTX at Frazier‟s Farm in a
CH-47 Chinook. For many, it
was a first time encounter and
an exhilarating ride, marking a
highlight in their Cadet experience.
Fall FTX took place on Halloween weekend, Oct. 28-30.
Cadets faced a weekend of cold
weather, where they would
conduct training such as land
navigation and first aid. The
chance to fly in at speeds up to
120 mph was an excellent way
to start off the weekend.
Read the full story on Page 4...
LTC Pettit and Cadet Nick Formica pose in
front of the Chinook after being transported
to Frazier‟s Farm for Fall FTX on Oct. 28,
2011.
CULP—Cadets in
Costa Rica
Leaders Training
Course
School Supplies for
Afghanistan
Scabbard and Blade:
Cross Keys Clean Up
Nursing Cadets visit
Air Care Medevac
JMU Alumni Recognition
Class of 2012
Branching List
Chief Editor: Mike Matheny
PAO + Photographer: Nick
Formica
Broadway High School Fallen Heroes Game—Page 8
For the second year in a row,
JMU ROTC has participated in
the local Broadway High
School‟s “Fallen Heroes” Football Game. In their last game of
the season, the team dedicates
the game to all the fallen veterans of the military, and especially gives a salute to all local
veterans of the community.
JMU Cadets show their support
by coming out with their color
guard group, and by having the
entire Battalion form a
uniformed human tunnel for the
team to charge through before
the national anthem. The game
is a very patriotic and meaningful
event to the community, and JMU
ROTC is proud to be a part of it.
JMU Battalion and Color Guard at Broadway High
School for the “Fallen Heroes” Game, a salute to
America‟s veterans.
Volume II, Issue I
Summer Awards and Accolades 2011
Page 2
The following Cadets completed
LDAC 2011 with an Overall Rating
of Satisfactory:
Lydia Austin: earned the Physical Fitness
Badge
James Bienlien
Patricia Bulger
Julia Burkins: earned the Physical Fitness
Badge
Amanda Clements: Dean‟s List Spring
2011
Adam Davis
Chelsea Dionne
Nicholas Formica
Kathleen Francis
Colin Gagnon: qualified RECONDO and
was selected for the Honor Platoon
Melissa Genter: Dean‟s List Spring 2011
Candice Heins: completed the Cadet
Cultural Immersion Program in Slovakia
Terrence Hoover
Courtney Kim
Andrew Klein: President‟s List Spring 2011.
Selected for the Honor Platoon, and achieved
a Peer Rating of 125
Aaron Kolleda: Dean‟s List Spring 2011
Cara Lawn: Dean‟s List Spring 2011
Michael Matheny: Dean‟s List Spring 2011
Curtis Smith: Dean‟s List Spring 2011
Carol Stiffler
John Turner
CPT Riesenberger was awarded the Army Commendation Medal during the
Ceremony
The following Cadets completed
The Following Cadets completed
LDAC 2011 with an Overall Rating LDAC 2011 with an Overall Rating
of Excellent:
of Satisfactory, and attended some
form of Cadet Professional DevelMatthew Ryan & Shannon Taylor: End opment Training:
of LDAC commissionees.
Miriam Daoud: Was selected for the
Honor Platoon at LDAC, and attended the
Nurse Summer Training Program in Hawaii.
She also made the Dean‟s List for academic
Gerald Bradner: Rated #4 of 47 Cadets in achievement during Spring Semester 2011.
his platoon, performed in the top 10% of his
Stephen Fessenden qualified RECONDO
regiment and achieved a peer rating of 134
points at LDAC. He attended Cadet Troop at LDAC, earned the Physical Fitness badge,
and attended Cadet Troop Leader Training
Leader Training at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
made the Dean‟s List for academic achieve- at Ft. Benning, GA.
ment during the 2011 Spring Semester.
Andrew Obcemea earned the Physical
Taylor Ferguson: Rated #2 of 45 Cadets Fitness badge at LDAC, attended the Nurse
in his platoon, was in top 2% of his regiment, Summer Training Program at Fort Carson,
Colorado.
achieved a peer rating of 144 points, qualified RECONDO, and scored 300 points on
the APFT. Successfully completed Airborne Stephen Ross attended Cadet Troop
Leader Training at Hunter Army Airfield.
training at Fort Benning, and made the
Dean‟s List for academic achievement during
Kristal Harps completed LDAC in 2010,
Spring Semester 2011.
attended the Nurse Summer Training ProMatthew Owen: Achieved a peer rating of gram in Hawaii, and completed Air Assault
School.
142 points at LDAC, was in the top 5 CaJelesa Anthony: Overall Rating of
Excellent
dets in his platoon, qualified RECONDO
and earned the Physical Fitness badge. Successfully completed Airborne Training at
Fort Benning, Georgia.
Andrew Rohlfing: Achieved a peer rating
of 131 points.
Volume II, Issue I
Summer Awards and Accolades 2011
Page 3
Continued from previous page…
In Addition, the following
Cadets all made the
Dean’s List for Spring
2011:
Nick Emmons
Daniel Kator
Duke BN Overall LDAC
Stats:
Military Science Department
Cadet Accomplishments at the
Leadership Development Assessment Course (LDAC) 2011
Zachary Knowles
Matthew Pisano
Nicholas Riscassi
MS4‟s (from right to left): Jelesa Anthony,
Gerald Bradner, and Taylor Ferguson
Tara Scanlon
David Snellings
Michael Winters
Kristal Harps: attend the Nurse Summer Training Program in Hawaii and
completed Air Assault Training at West
Point.
3. #20/38 4th BDE university
ROTC programs for Cadet
LDAC pass rate.
5. # 8/38 4th BDE university
ROTC programs for number of Cadets achieving an
overall Excellent rating at
LDAC.
Evan Bruccoleri: completed a Cultural
Language and Understanding Program
internship in Costa Rica.
Austin Henderson: completed the
Nurse Summer Training Program at Fort
Carson, Colorado.
2. #19/38 4th BDE university
ROTC programs for number of
Cadets passing initial APFT.
4. #10/38 4th BDE university ROTC programs for
number of Cadets passing
initial land navigation testing.
Additional Cadet Professional
Development Training Awards:
Kaitlin Fanning: completed the Leaders Training Course at Fort Knox, KY.
1. #14/38 4th BDE university
ROTC programs for number of
Cadets with highest APFT average.
26 AUG 11 Freshmen Contracting Ceremony on the Quad
6. #17/38 4th BDE university
ROTC programs for number of
Cadets achieving Top 5 rating in
their platoons.
7. # 9/38 4th BDE university
ROTC programs for number of Cadets earning Recondo.
Mercedes Maisel: completed Airborne
Training at Fort Benning, GA.
Alyssa Roessel: completed a Cultural
Language and Understanding Program
internship in Costa Rica, and made the
Dean‟s List for Spring Semester 2011.
8. #10/38 4th BDE university ROTC programs for
number of Cadets with
highest peer evaluation ratings.
Michael Zero: completed Airborne
Training at Fort Benning, GA. Made the
Dean‟s List for Spring, 2011
28 OCT 11 Contracting Ceremony in
front of the CH-47 at Fall FTX
Volume II, Issue I
Fall FTX
Page 4
Duke ROTC Battalion Gets a Ride
Article reprinted from Harrisonburg Daily News Record
Article Written by: Nate Delesline III
BRIDGEWATER — Despite facing a long weekend of intense outdoor
training in the cold, Army Staff Sgt. Job Smith managed to get a few
laughs out of 130 James Madison University ROTC cadets gathered at
Bridgewater Air Park.. Bundled against the cold, Smith, a helicopter
flight engineer based at Fort Eustis, warned the group that their helmets might be the best receptacle if they experienced any airsickness
during the flight.
“Let‟s see how many puke today,” Smith said at the conclusion of a 10minute safety briefing, earning a laugh from the group. The cadets and
about a dozen soldiers were at the airport for the ROTC battalion‟s
annual field training exercise. The weekend-long program is meant to
put the skills the cadets have learned to the test. Cadet Command Sgt.
Maj. Gerald Bradner, a senior at JMU, is the top ranking cadet in the
JMU corps, serving as a liaison between the cadets and the instructors.
Bradner helped organize and plan this weekend‟s exercise, which included land navigation and some basic combat training. The most difficult thing for most of the younger cadets, he said, is to set aside their
feelings and concentrate on the mission.
Cadets inside the Chinook en route to Frazier‟s Farm.
The Chinook is the Army‟s largest helicopter. Designed primarily as a
people-mover, the twin-engine, twin-rotor chopper is nearly 100 feet
long and can hold about 30 people. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert
Henry, the lead pilot, was joined by co-pilot Jeff Luther at the controls.
Both are members of Bravo Co., 5-159th General Aviation Support
Battalion at Fort Eustis in Newport News.
“They have to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” Bradner They acknowledged that Friday‟s mission, although important was defisaid. “You basically have to suck it up and do your job despite less-than nitely less stressful — and colder — than their recent tour in Iraq.
Both men have been flying for about six years.
-ideal conditions.”
But flying in helicopters isn‟t anything new to Bradner, a Lynchburg
native. He served in Iraq in the enlisted ranks before deciding to enroll
at JMU to study and continue his military career by becoming an officer. But for cadet Rachel Francis, a freshman studying international
affairs, Friday‟s trip in the Chinook helicopter was a new experience.
“I‟m so excited,” Francis said. “I want to take pictures.”
Although slightly less excited about spending most of the weekend
outdoors, she said it was worth it to hone her military skills.
“Aviation is my second choice other than military intelligence, and I
think this experience is so important,” she said. “I‟ve just been trying
to have an open mind and learn as much as possible.”
“Helicopters operate better in cold temperatures,” Henry said. “Now,
when you get super cold, you know, negative 15 degrees Celsius, it is a
problem. But normally the cooler temperatures equal denser air, so
the aircraft operates better.”
With an average cruising speed of about 120 mph, the pilots said the
trip from Fort Eustis to Bridgewater took 90 minutes, about half the
time that it would take by car.
Contact Nate Delesline III at 574-6275
<mailto:ndelesline@dnronline.com> ndelesline@dnronline.com
Lt. Col. Robert Pettit, a JMU professor and head of the university‟s
military science department, said training exercises such as this weekend‟s is essential for cadets, who one day may find themselves deployed as active soldiers in combat.
“This is the first time a lot of cadets have even seen a helicopter,”
Pettit said, who added that many of them will go on to serve in roles
where they‟ll rely on military aviation to accomplish their missions.
Heavy Lifting
Around 1 p.m. the liftoff of the massive aircraft brought many employees of Dynamic Aviation, Bridgewater Air Park‟s primary tenant, out of
their offices with cellphone cameras in hand.
Cadets disembarking the helicopter after landing.
Volume II, Issue I
Ranger Challenge 23-25 Oct. 2011
Page 5
Tough Competition: ROTC Ranger Group Competes in
Ranger Challenge
Emily Vande Loo
Sit ups, push ups, calisthenics, and running at 0530
three times a week certainly keeps JMU‟s ROTC cadets in tip
top shape. Just imagine wearing an assault pack (a rugged backpack designed to carry equipment up to 50 lbs.) during an additional morning dedicated to running 5 miles in 1½ mile increments with physical exercises and skills tests in between bursts
of running. The 15 members of the Duke Battalion‟s Ranger
Group began this training routine and other formal preparation
in August before other students arrived on campus. Most,
however, trained by themselves over the summer. This dedicated team survived a rigorous selection process that took
place the previous spring to earn the honor of participating as a
member of the Group this fall.
The Ranger Challenge is considered the varsity sport
of the ROTC community. Participants are selected for their
tactical knowledge, leadership qualities, and athletic abilities.
Ranger Group members represent some of the best of JMU‟s
ROTC program. The skills and abilities they possess are essential. CPT Ware, one of the ROTC Cadre members assigned to
help train the Ranger Group, explains, “These young cadets are
not only training for a demanding competition, but also for the
reality that most of them will lead soldiers in combat to fight
the enemies of our nation in the worst circumstances.”
The annual Ranger Challenge, held each October, is a
two-day multifaceted event. On the first day, cadets completed
a modified Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Immediately
following the APFT, the team took two of three written knowledge and skills based tests. On the second day, nine cadets in
the Ranger Group competed in each aspect of the Challenge,
while two alternates were allowed to participate in some, but
not all of the events. The team powered through a seven
event, eight-mile course that tested cadets‟ land navigation
skills, teamwork, and their physical determination. A final written test based on a scenario in an event during the eight-mile
course serves as the final hurdle to overcome.
JMU Ranger Group racing across a lake in a Zodiac Raft
during Ranger Challenge.
Though traveling quickly over a creek by dangling from
a rope strung between two trees seems like an individual event,
the team worked together to create the bridge and move a
simulated casualty across safely. The Commander‟s challenge
event, an event that changes yearly and is held to strict secrecy,
was to paddle 300 meters and then carry a 220 lb. Zodiac raft
for a total of 200 meters uphill as a team. This event and other
events like weapons assembly and disassembly emphasize team
cohesion. In the weapons assembly event, one cadet at a time
was blindfolded and guided by the voices of his teammates towards the location of an M16 rifle that when reached would
signal the time to take off the blindfold, assemble and disassemble the weapon, and then replace the blindfold to run back to
the voices of other teammates. The final event on the eightmile course, the Reaction course event, which also changes
yearly, required cadets to push a 6,000 lb. Hummvee, an armored vehicle similar to the commercial Hummer, for 400 meters among other final physical challenges.
Continued on next page...
This year’s Ranger Challenge Team Included:
cFerguson—Squad Leader
cFessenden
cOwen
cGagnon
cBruccoleri
cZero
cHenderson
cKnowles
The team earned the fastest raw time
cWilson
of all teams. However, they placed an
impressive 4th out of 40 teams this
cCaron
year due to a 1 hour and 15 minute
cLucas
time penalty.
Volume II, Issue I
Army Ten Miler Team
Page 6
“And I ran…”
Tara Scanlon
The James Madison University Army ROTC program annually participates in the Army Ten Miler race, held in Washington D.C. Approximately 30,000 soldiers, retired personnel, family members, and
ROTC Cadets run the race each year in support for Army soldiers and
their families. The JMU Duke Battalion trains a team of dedicated runners to compete while showing their pride for our country and the
soldiers who make sacrifices for the red, white, and blue.
Our Ten Miler Team began training in August for the October 9th race. While conducting physical training and running between
20 and 25 miles over 4 days a week, the team builds up their endurance and dedication for an event that means so much to veterans and
soldiers. The event is much more than tying up your sneakers and
hitting the road running. The support from one runner to another,
along the 10-mile course, is unlike anything must Americans have ever
experienced. The Army Ten Miler is a strong motivator to ROTC
Cadets for the purpose of developing our leadership skills and serving
our country.
This year’s team and finishing times:
Amanda Clements- 1:28:06
Katie Francis- 1:33:36
Kellie Gregorio- 1:25:53
Candice Heins- 1:42:24
Krista Langan- 1:20:34
Mercedes Maisel- 1:27:04
Matt Pisano- 1:17:40
Alyssa Roessel- 1:24:06
Stephen Ross- 1:33:17
Tara Scanlon- 1:21:26
Curtis Smith- 1:44:17
Ranger Challenge: Continued from previous page….
Trust and fellowship outside of the competition were crucial for the
success of the team during the Ranger Challenge. Cadet Major Taylor
Ferguson, the Ranger Commander of the Duke Battalion and the
Squad Leader for the competition, noted that the Cadets know each
other‟s personal motivations and that the team acts as a family outside
of ROTC. Instead of yelling at a teammate to try harder, Ferguson
explains that his teammates encourage one another to push through in
a meaningful, personal way. Many of the team members live together
off campus and the entire team eats family dinner together on Fridays.
This camaraderie supports Ferguson‟s mentality that “you can‟t quit on
your brother” in competition or in life outside of ROTC.
The Duke Battalion‟s Ranger Group earned 4th place out of 40 teams
with a time of five hours and thirty-seven minutes. The team, however, had the fastest raw time overall. The squad earned one 30 minute and one 45 minute penalty for a total time penalty of 1 hour and
15 minutes added to their raw time. With the time penalties, the
team missed 1st place by a mere 27 minutes. The Group, clearly ex-
The JMU 10 Miler Team taking a group photo in support of
JMU ROTC with MG Mark McDonald-CG, US Army Cadet
Command-at the race in Washington, DC.
This year‟s team met at 0700 in front of the Pentagon in preparation to
begin the race. The 10 mile run goes through the streets of Washington D.C. and around the Capital Building. Civilians line the course
with signs, cheering on the runners
throughout the entire 10-mile course.
“The event is much
James Madison University and the
more than tying up
Duke Battalion were represented by a
your sneakers and
group of outstanding Cadets this year.
Mathew Pisano was JMU Army Ten
hitting the road
Miler Team‟s fastest runner. The top
running. The support
five runners also include, John Turner,
from one runner to
Krista Langan, Tara Scanlon, and
Alyssa Roessel. The team encourages
another along the 10and challenges all JMU Cadets to join
mile course is unlike
the team next year and show their
anything most
pride and commitment to the United
Americans have ever
States Army.
experienced.”
ceptional, is proud of their accomplishments and many members look
forward to the opportunity to participate next year.
In front (From Left to Right) Cadets Bruccoleri, Lucas,
and Gagnon at Ranger Challenge
Volume II, Issue I
Broadway High School Fallen Heroes Game
Page 7
JMU Army ROTC is a proud supporter of the Broadway High
School Fallen Heroes Game
In what is becoming a bit
of a tradition for the Duke
BN, the entire Battalion
came out to support the
local “Fallen Heroes”
Game for the second year
in a row. In a night full of
powerful symbolism and
patriotism, the Cadets
marched onto the field
and stood at parade rest
while Broadway‟s team
charged through to salute
fallen veterans. It was the
team‟s last game of an all
winning season.
The Broadway High School football team, the „Gobblers” charge
through the ranks of the Duke BN before the start of the game.
BHS finished a perfect 10-0 regular season, won 2 playoff games,
but lost to Christiansburg in the state semi-finals, finishing 12-1.
The Color Guard team was joined on the field by the
band for the playing of the national anthem and presenting of the colors.
Memorial to local fallen veteran and Harrisonburg native, Brian M. “Bucky” Anderson
Volume II, Issue I
Summer Training—Airborne School
“All OK Jump Master!!!!!!”
By Michael Zero
Every airborne student has a similar experience. The ecstasy
of falling from the sky contrasts with the pain of sitting in a harness
shed for hours on end while your head itches, knowing that touching
your helmet can get you disqualified. Waiting in a chow line for an
hour only to dine on sludge covered in melted cheese is balanced by
the fact that every moment you‟re there, you‟re making friends that
you will never forget.
The first of three weeks at Airborne School is called
“Ground Week”: Morale is dripping from every pore in our bodies.
No doubt this was amplified by our being treated to watching Alpha
company jump in over the trees a few miles away. Early in ground
week, things are not exciting. We practiced safety measure after
safety measure until precautions became reflexes- no doubt a necessary step toward making sure students don‟t turn into jelly. Later in
Page 8
no talking, no sleeping, no scratching your nose, and absolutely no
brain activity. Robbed of all stimuli other than our own discomforts,
we students wallowed in our own soupy uniforms until the C-130s
touched down. Finally, it was time to fly Buzz Lightyear style. When
that plane took off, everyone went silent. Somewhere in the back of
everyone‟s‟ minds, we were all scared. And rightfully so; there are
1,250 feet, 3Gs, and 350 miles per hour ready to drive nails into your
coffin. “GET READY!” Before I knew it, we were hooked to our static
lines, shuffling to the door. This is it; born to kill. Keep your cool.
“GREEN LIGHT- GO!” we heard from the sergeants. With that, it
was time to throw ourselves out into the breeze. It‟s not easy to describe what it‟s like to attempt suicide by jumping off a building, but I‟d
imagine it‟s a lot like jumping out of an airplane. All I could think when
I hit the ground was, “Well damn… look at that.”
Life in the barracks was definitely different for me as a Cadet.
Too many people treat Cadets like we‟re children. There were exceptions, of course, but the majority of privates had a lot of negative
things to say. Unless you went to basic training, you were “Fake
Army.” I appreciate the work the privates put in to get to where they
are, but I would appreciate it more if they gave us the same respect. I
ultimately learned that the best response to negative criticism was any
derivative of, “You guys are all better than us. I think us college boys
should just go back to school and get some more glitter and cotton
candy for our ponies.” They appreciate the sarcasm.
Things I‟ll never forget were the friends I made and places I
got to see. After just a short graduation, my friends and I went into
town. We spent all afternoon in Bodman Park taking shots of Gatorade by the old stone fountain, playing cards, and smoking cigars until
our planes came in. We didn‟t jump from these ones. Just another
day in the Army.
JMU Cadets to Earn their wings in summer 2011:
Michael Zero
Matthew Owen
the week, things picked up when we started to jump from the thirtyfour foot towers. I vividly remember my first jump from the tower:
“SOUND OFF WITH YOUR ROSTER NUMBER, CADET!” “Charlie
739, Sergeant Airborne!” “SOUND… OFF!” “CHARLIE 739 SERGEANT AIRBORNE!” With that, I took a shoulder to the back and
jumped. You only experience one or two seconds of free-fall until the
cable reaches its full extension and pulls you along the zip line, but
when looking at the ground coming closer and closer, two seconds is
all it takes to start thinking bad thoughts: broken rope, broken legs or
broken face? Fortunately, none of those things happened; after that
initial shock, it was smooth sailing.
“Tower Week” came next, which ultimately was very similar
to Ground Week. The training‟s pace increased from Kia to Farrari,
but there was still a lot of waiting around while having no idea what it
is you‟re waiting for. Truly, the most painful part of tower week was
that the towers were located right across the street from the barracks,
which means we all got to look at the nice, air-conditioned rooms all
day while we attained skin cancer from a ruthless sun.
Finally, the third week was what we were all waiting for:
“Jump Week.” Wake up when most 16 year-olds back home were
going to sleep, run to the airstrip in the humidity, and then wait. And
wait. And wait in the harness shed for your plane to come in. There is
Taylor Ferguson
Mercedes Maisel
Evan Bruccoleri
Kristal Harps (Air Assault)
Austin Henderson (Air Assault)
Volume II, Issue I
LDAC—Summer 2011
“LDAC: Not your Average Summer Camp”
By Felix Chujoy
Page 9
learned to realize, sometimes you have too many constraints to have
the luxury to analyze and search for the right decision. The best move
is then to simply make a decision. Even mistakes can lead to effective
outcomes while you are trying.
Our Warrior Forge (LDAC) experience was split into two
We all heard something about it. It‟s hot, it‟s cold, it‟s fun, it
types
of
training,
individual and group. Individually, we had the APFT,
sucks, you better watch out! Regardless of what you thought of it
however, we can all agree that LDAC, as well as its preparation events, the land navigation course, rappelling, and obstacle courses, many of
them involving the common height phobia. When evaluated for leaderwas one of the most important and nerve-racking periods as a Cadet.
ship within a group, we had STX, Patrolling, and some socially bonding
activities like FLRC that helped us improve our efficiency working as
Personally, I found the preparation and training for LDAC to group and required us to physically push ourselves.
be the most challenging part. Not only are you at the height of your
Cadet training, but the expectations from your instructors and the
military department increase exponentially. To make things worse, the
anticipation and lack of complete understanding of what waits for you
tends to let your imagination heighten the intensity of the simplest
tasks.
Before leaving for LDAC, I imagined the cadre to be meaner
than drill sergeants and the environment to be worse than basic training. I figured the experience would be miserable. I was surprised when
I found myself enjoying the training and glad to be going through the
experience. I gradually learnt to trust my instincts and gained the
confidence I needed to use my common sense, something I rarely did
when I found myself in an Army environment.
My favourite obstacle course was the Water Obstacle
Course, which I found to be the most memorable and included both,
individual and group challenges. It made the day fly by. Individually we
had the “crawl and drop” and the “zip line.” As a group, we had the
poncho raft and Zodiac Assault course. Initially, most of us were confident and thought we would not have any issues with any of them.
Many of us were proved wrong. On the crawl and drop, we went up a
ladder to walk on a wooden plank, step on a small block of wood in
the middle of the plank, crawl through a rope and fall legs down, arms
crossed. As we actually went through the obstacle, most of us realized
that we were unaware of how terrifying this obstacle really is. We also
neglected the fact that the plank would be shaking as other Cadets
came up the ladder to complete the course. Some of us fell down
while crossing the plank and getting on the small wooden block. I saw a
girl fall down four times before she actually made it through! Even
though I didn‟t personally fall off the course, I underestimated the
height from which we had to drop and decided to look down as I wondered why I hadn‟t come into contact with water yet. A painful splash
of water in the face awaited me at the bottom.
Overall, LDAC surpassed my expectations. The mistakes,
achievements, and experiences I went through gave me a greater sense
of confidence. I learned to trust my common sense and to apply my
own personal experiences and ingenuity to my everyday missions. I
realized why some things are done the way they are done in the military and about the importance of paying attention to details, such as
time management and mission essential equipment. Most importantly
however, I learned that in order to perform well as an officer, you
have to take training events seriously and genuinely care about the
Felix Chujoy (Far Left) and his Squad posing at the
end of LDAC 2011
LDAC evaluated our competence on first aid, land navigation, physical fitness, field movements and tactics, but most importantly, it evaluated our ability as leaders. While our leadership performance was subjective, all of our missions had environments that
required mental and physical agility. Hence, the only way to assure our
success was to remain confident throughout our different leadership
positions and to effectively communicate our intent to those we
worked among. Whether we decided to take a conventional approach
based on the
factual information we were taught in school or a creative, unusual
one, the end-result was based on our self-confidence as leaders. As I
The infamous “step up” and “log walk rope drop”
obstacle during the Water Confidence Course
Volume II, Issue I
CULP- Cadets in COSTA RICA
Page 10
This year, two Cadets, Evan Bruccoleri and Alyssa Roessel attended the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency Program in Costa Rica. Here are their perspectives:
“Costa Rica: Operation Continuing Promise”
By Evan Bruccoleri
CULP is a Cadet Command funded opportunity for Cadets
to get a cultural experience in a foreign country. It stands for: Cultural
Understanding and Language Proficiency. I was selected to join a trip
to Costa Rica. My mission was to first culturally immerse as a group of
11 Cadets and 1 OIC in Costa Rica for 10 days to learn about the
country, and second to give translating support to the USNS Comfort
with their mission to Central and South America Continuing Promise
for 14 days. We visited seven different cities on our immersion tour
of Costa Rica including their famous volcanoes and national parks. We
learned much about Costa Rica‟s economy and way of life. When it
came time for our translating duties, we stayed in one of Costa Rica‟s
main port towns on the Pacific, Puntarenas. The USNS Comfort was
stationed here and it was their eighth country they were visiting in the
America‟s.
Continued on next page...
Cadet Evan Bruccoleri (left) was involved with helping doctors
translate during medical procedures in Costa Rica.
the children and practice our Spanish. For the rest of the day we
would go on excursions that CCS provided. Such things were dance
classes, Spanish classes, trips to other cities, and site-seeing. The
weekends were free, so our group went to the beach, white water
November 18, 2010 was the day before applications were
rafting, and zip lining. It was such a blast to be able to do these actividue for the CULP program. I remember thinking to myself, “Eh why
ties!
not, doesn‟t hurt to try!” When you apply, you can pick a region
Having the opportunity to live in a different culture and do
where you would like to go. I chose to go somewhere in South Amerincredible
activities made it such an unbelievable experience. Our
ica. About a month later, me and one other Cadet at James Madison
group of Cadets soon became like a family, because we did everything
University received an email that stated we got a slot into the prowith each other for the month that we spent together. I wasn't very
gram. I was so shocked! I didn‟t really think I would get one because
there are so many applicants. But it happened, and I am so glad that it excited to leave Costa Rica. The last two days were spent at Fort
did. This month long trip was such a great adventure. This experience Knox again to do post-deployment paperwork. Unfortunately, the trip
had to end, even though I did not want to leave my CULP group. We
definitely added to my life and is one that I will never forget.
About 16 other Cadets across the country went on the same all became very close and the memories will last forever. Because I had
such a remarkable experience, I strongly urge every Cadet to apply to
trip with me, along with two LTC's from other schools. We spent a
the CULP program. You get the chance to be immersed in another
week at Fort Knox in Kentucky to get to know each other and preculture and make life-long friends!
pare for deployment. During this week, we did paperwork, physical
training, and bonding activities. For the next 22 days,
we stayed in Cartago, Costa
Rica. We partnered up
with a volunteer service
called Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS). We stayed in
their facilities during the
trip. In the mornings, half of
our CULP group went to an
orphanage to volunteer,
while the other half went to
a school for children with
special needs. We did little
side jobs such as repainting
walk rails, playgrounds, and
trashcans. Some of us had
Outside of the place they stayed in Costa Rica, CULP ROTC Cadets along with
the chance to interact with
“An Unforgettable Experience”
By Alyssa Roessel
the other CCS volunteers
Volume II, Issue I
CULP—Cadets in Costa Rica (continued)
Page 11
Continued from previous page...
Cadet Bruccoleri (bottom right) and his group taking a
photo at Volcan Irazu, Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is a Spanish speaking country and we
were needed to help with various jobs. They included: patient
intake, translating for doctors for admitted patients in dentistry, pediatrics, general medicine, and optometry, helping in
the operating rooms for surgeries, and working in pre and
post surgery wards. The USNS Comfort also set up two
medical sites to admit patients throughout the day, the medical sites could perform small surgeries, dental and eye work
but major surgeries would be transferred to the ship. Accompanying us 11 Cadets on the translating support mission were
also about 50 Costa Rican Medical students who were fluent
in both Spanish and English, they helped us with the improvement of our Spanish and ended up making great friends with
them. In total, the USNS Comfort treated over 5,000 patients
and performed an average of around 100 surgeries each day
while on their stay in Costa Rica.
The major things I learned from this trip was a better cultural awareness for Latin America and their customs
and courtesies. My language capability in Spanish increased
dramatically, and I met many great people in our military as
well as in Costa Rica. As Cadets we were also given an
evaluation. Our OIC put us in charge for a couple days on the
trip and we had to coordinate everything for the day and plan
a course of action while maintaining accountability and staying
in command of the group. This opportunity gave us Cadets a
step ahead for our MS3 year and ultimately for when I commission as a second lieutenant. CULP is a great opportunity
for MS1 and MS2 Cadets to get a cultural and linguistic experience in a foreign country. Even if you do not have any language capabilities CULP offers multiple trips to foreign countries for beginner level ROTC Cadets. CULP also offers trips
to the Cadets who are fluent in a foreign language, so whatever your capability is you should still look into the program.
A main goal of CULP is to give Cadets a cultural experience in
a foreign country before they commission and are deployed.
This gives future officers the advantage of understanding foreign cultures and gives them a better military awareness when
on their first deployment as an officer.
Cadets visiting Costa Rica‟s Botanical Gardens on a
cultural immersion tour.
“This gives future Officers the
advantage of understanding foreign
cultures and gives them a better
military awareness when on their first
deployment as an Officer.”
Cadets had the opportunity to spend time visiting
Costa Rica‟s beaches of Manuel Antonio.
Volume II, Issue I
Leader’s Training Course FT. Knox, KY
Page 12
The following article was written by Ball State Student Media.
“JMU Student Pushes through Trials of LTC Training
Course”
Katie Fanning trudges to the health unit each morning just as dawn
begins to break, and wraps the severe blisters on her feet that never
quite get a chance to heal.
A junior from James Madison University, Fanning is preparing to become an Army officer by attending the Leadership Training Course at
Fort Knox, Ky.
The raw skin bandaged inside her combat boots is just one sign of the
intense training she's going through.
"Each day seems to get better,” she said. “I just remind myself why I'm
here and it'll be over eventually.”
Fanning said she‟s always wanted to be a detective or special agent,
but her focus changed when the Lord called her to serve in the Army.
“I‟m a Christian, she said. “And as Christians we‟re called to serve
other people and just love them, and so I want to serve our country to
be a good example.”
Cadet Katie Larrabee, pictured enjoying some
training, also attended LTC over the summer.
“RUDE AWAKENING”
The 28-day session at LTC crams in two years of training for students
who are juniors and seniors in college and are just now deciding to join
the Reserve Officers‟ Training Corps. If they choose to join, cadets will
leave the training course as a second lieutenant in the Army.
Activities, which include repelling, stream crossing, land navigation,
map reading and the ethos of the Army.
“Each day seems to get better,” she said. “I
just remind myself why I’m here and it’ll be
over eventually.”
Fanning stands about six feet tall with piercing blue eyes, freckles and
long brown hair pulled into a neat bun under her Army cap. She often
hangs back and observes during training.
"In formation, I sound off," she said. "But I'm not usually one to be
loud. Before I left, [my friends] were like, 'Are you going to be loud
when you get back?'"
Continued on Next Page...
Cadet Fanning, (center) participating in Water
Survival Training. Cadets go to LTC over the summer where they receive MS1 and MS2 years‟ curriculum condensed into one single training camp.
Upon completion of LTC, they return as MS3‟s,
and on track to commission as Army Officers.
JMU Cadets Katie Fanning and Katie
Larrabee, now MS 3’s, both attended and
successfully completed LTC (Leader’s Training
Course) over the summer at Ft. Knox, KY.
Cadet Katie Fanning (2nd from the right) stands at
attention at LTC in FT Knox, KY.
Volume II, Issue I
LTC/School Supplies for Afghanistan
Page 13
All credit for this article goes to Ball State Student Media.
Continued from Previous Page…
“FAMILY VALUES”
The first few days were a rude introduction, with drill sergeants finding Sue Fanning, Katie‟s mother, said she knew if Katie was committed to
any reason to yell at the cadets.
taking a class, then she was serious about serving in the Army.
"I was asking myself what the heck I was doing here," Fanning said.
"They would get mad at me for smiling, even though I didn't realize I
was smiling.”
She ran up the stairs on the first day toting a 60-pound duffle bag, with
drill sergeants yelling behind her. She was scolded for packing too
much — even though it was just what was on the list.
Cadets wake up around 4 a.m. and don't go to sleep until about 11 at
night.
"The first three days, I was like, 'I have no clue if I can actually do this.'
I'm realizing that we have to get through the rough stuff and learn discipline.”
Major Craig Gibson, who teaches ROTC courses at JMU, said Fanning
didn't miss a single 6 a.m. fitness session last spring, earning her the
scores she needed to go on to LTC.
“Katie never does anything halfway,” Sue said. “It‟s all or nothing with
her.”
Fanning‟s father died when was 9 years old, forcing her mother back to
work. Sue is now an executive officer at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, where she oversees a supply and training center for
other embassies and consulates.
“Katie became the „mom‟ of the family and was always there for her
siblings — helping with homework, fixing an occasional meal …” Sue
said in an email. “She has always been there for us, and we all look up
to her.”
Fanning spent a month in Germany with her family before she went to
LTC.
“We took it easy for the most part,” Sue said, “although she did go
with me on long dog walks so that she could break her boots in. She
was very excited about taking this step to becoming an officer.”
He said she‟s quiet, but he doesn‟t see that as a weakness.
Before leaving her family and friends for a month, Katie drew inspira“It doesn't indicate a lack of leadership potential. But that's one of the tion from the the Book of Joshua in her final sign off.
things we worked with her on — building confidence and being able to
“Peace out real world,” she wrote on Facebook. “Be strong, vigorous
speak, and having confidence when she is giving directions."
and very courageous. Be not afraid. Neither be dismayed for the Lord
your God is with you wherever you go.”
JMU Contributes to “Academics for Afghanistan”
Kathleen Francis
Currently seven months into a year long deployment at FOB Masum Ghar, CW
Steel, a strong and trustworthy figure-head among the Kandahar people, has created a
school supply program in order to help restore education within the city. Kandahar is the
second largest city in Afghanistan, with a population of 250,000, making it a target for
poverty and other social problems like illiteracy. CW Steel‟s goal is to help provide the
populous with school supplies such as paper, pencils, rulers, and backpacks in order to
help aid the children of Kandahar in obtaining the necessary supplies to be successful in
school. Supplies such as folders and notebooks are hard to come by in the city and obtaining school supplies from the US Government or Afghanistan Government is a complex and confusing process. He created a donation program that he is implementing
through different sources state-side to get these essential items. “Academics for Afghanistan” is the name of the local donation program that I have headed up at JMU. Through
the Duke Battalion alone, we have sent notebooks, loose leaf paper, rulers, protractors,
pencil sharpeners, pens, pencils, folders, and all other sorts of supplies. A partnership
with the JMU Marching Royal Dukes marching band is currently in the planning stages
which would include a volunteer opportunity for the ROTC Scabbard and Blade service
group. The program is set to continue through the fall semester. With the help from peo- Chief Warrant Officer William
ple here, we can only hope that our support of programs like these will help the soldiers
Steel, founder of the School Supoverseas complete their mission. A parting quote from CW Steel brings the message of
plies for Afghanistan Program.
the program to light: “The sooner we help these people stand on their feet, the sooner
we can come home.”
Volume II, Issue I
Scabbard and Blade Group/Nursing Cadets
Page 14
Scabbard and Blade Annual Service Project
at Cross Keys Battlefield
Sarah Triplett
Over the last few years, Scabbard and Blade
Honor Society has been participating in the restoration of Cross Keys Battlefield, just seven miles from
JMU. Cadets interested in becoming a member of
Scabbard and Blade must participate in a service
project in order to be inducted, and over the past
couple of years, Cadets have done a variety of projects at the battlefield, including clearing brush, dig(Above) Scabbard and Blade group before leaving
ging up trees, and even creating a parking lot. This
year, Scabbard and Blade inductees helped to create
for Cross Keys Battle Field in the Shenandoah Valley.
a walking path from the parking area, which Cadets
helped to build last semester, to the site of what
will soon become stops for a walking tour along Artillery Ridge. In addition to helping to create the
path, the Cadets were given a short history lesson
on the battle of Cross Keys from
(Left) Scabbard Mr. Bill Bedall, who has been leading
the efforts to restore the battlefield
and Blade Cadets working to for several years. It was an opportucreate a walking nity for the Cadets to not only
path on Artillery serve their community, but to learn
Ridge at the
about some of the rich local military
battlefield.
history of the Shenandoah Valley.
JMU Nursing Cadets visit Air
Care Medevac:
JMU ROTC Nursing Cadets Tricia Bulger, Heather Bill, and Courtney Kim
(6, 7, 9th from the left) visit a Medevac
helicopter at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport on October 24, 2011.
While visiting, they were able to learn
about the career of a flight nurse and
Medevac Helicopters.
Volume II, Issue I
Page 15
Volume II, Issue I
JMU Alumni Recognition
Page 16
Major General Raymond Mason, a JMU alumni from class of 1978, has
been promoted to Lieutenant General as the new G-4 of the Army.
Article Reprinted from: www.army.mil/g-4
Written by: Devon Hylander
“HQDA G-4 welcomes a new chief”
PENTAGON (November 3, 2011) -- Today, MG (P) Raymond V. Mason takes the
helm as the new Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, G-4 (Logistics). There was no
official ceremony to mark this transition, just a passing of the 'Army Property Book'
so to speak.
"I'm honored to be part of this team again," said Mason, "and both Patti and I are
happy to be back in the DC area."
Mason is not entirely new to the G-4 or the Pentagon. He served two tours with
the G-4 during his Army career -- one as the G-4's Speechwriter and a second as
the Special Assistant to the G-4 for Logistics Transformation. In addition, for the
past three months he has been serving as the Assistant Deputy, G-4, for Operations. Mason also spent time in the Pentagon as the Deputy Director for the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, J4.
Before moving to his new assignment at the Pentagon, Mason served as the G-4 for Lieutenant General Raymond V. Mason
U.S. Forces Command, responsible for the readiness of more than 80 percent of the Army's operational forces.
A Distinguished Military Graduate from James Madison University, Mason was instrumental in establishing the Reserve Officer
Training Corps (ROTC) program at JMU in 1976 and was later commissioned as a second lieutenant from that same program in
1978. This began his over 30-year career with tours in places such as Germany, Fort Bragg, Australia, Korea, and Hawaii.
Mason takes after his father, who also had a long career in the Army serving in both World War II and Vietnam. Mason and his
wife, Patti, have two children, Nick and Sarah, who live in Denver and Arlington, Va., respectively.
MG (P) Mason will be promoted to Lieutenant General on Friday, November 4.
Brigadier General Randal Dragon, JMU graduate from class of 1980, was the guest speaker for the
May, 2011 Commissioning
Brig. Gen. Randal Dragon, deputy commanding general for the
1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas and a 1980 JMU
graduate, was the guest speaker for May, 2011 commissioning
ceremony. General Dragon took time out to talk with some of
the battalion‟s 22 Cadets before they were commissioned.
Volume II, Issue I
JMU Alumni Recognition
Page 17
Calling all JMU Army ROTC Alumni!
We want your commissioning and class photos! We are
collecting photos from all JMU Army ROTC Classes from
1978-2009, in order to build and expand upon an Alumni
Class Recognition Wall in the Military Science Department. Please send commissioning class photos to the
JMU MSCI Department!
Coming Soon!
An addition will be made to the Alumni link on
the Duke BN website, Jmu.edu/rotc, where
alumni will be featured each month, alumni can
update their point of contact information, keep in
touch, and make donations to the JMU Army
ROTC Foundation Account.
JMU Cannon Needs Repairs!
No memory of a JMU home football game
would be complete without the thundering
sound of the JMU Cannon Crew firing off after
every touchdown. The Cannon Crew has been
a part of every JMU home game for the last ten
years, and fires after the national anthem, at half
time, at the end of the game, and after every
JMU score.
The cannon was first test fired at JMU on October 11, 2001.
However, the cannon made its first actual appearance at the
opening game of JMU‟s 2002 football season.
However, the cannon, a replica of a Revolutionary War cannon called a Verbruggen, is now in
need of refurbishing.
The cannon wheels, carriage and overall paint need serious repairs and refurbishment. Burkholder Buggy
is repairing the carriage and wheels while Joe Kaminski is stripping, priming and painting the cannon to reflect its correct historical lineage. Total cost of repairs is estimated at $1,200.00. Any donations or help
alumni could provide would be greatly appreciated!
Spring 2012 Duke BN Events
Cadet BN Change of Command
January 9, 2012
GUTS Competition
TBD
Contact Info:
Dining Out
February 24, 2012
Website:
Jmu.edu/rotc
(540) 568-6264
Spring BN FTX
March 23-25, 2012
Spring JFTX
April 12-15, 2012
Awards Ceremony
April 27, 2012
May Commissioning
May 5, 2012
PMS: LTC Robert E.
Pettit, III
pettitre@jmu.edu
SMI: MSG Jeremy
Wilcox (JAN 2012)
wilcoxjm@jmu.edu
Newsletter Editor:
Mike Matheny
mathenmr@jmu.edu
Duke BN PAO:
Nick Formica
formicnd@jmu.edu
Congratulations to Class of 2012 Branch Assignments and Projected Graduation:
Lydia Austin
Nicholas Baker
James Bienlien
John Bowden
Gerald Bradner
Julia Burkins
Felix Chujoy
Amanda Clements
Miriam Daoud
Adam Davis
Chelsea Dionne
Nick Emmons
Taylor Ferguson
Stephen Fessenden
Nicholas Formica
Kathleen Francis
Melissa Genter
Kristal Harps
Candice Heins
Terrence Hoover
Andrew Klein
Aaron Kolleda
Cara Lawn
Erik Lawrence
Spencer Lloyd
Michael Matheny
Andrew Obcemea
Matthew Owen
Andrew Rohlfing
Curtis Smith
Carol Stiffler
Aaron Story
John Turner
Active Duty
ARNG
ARNG
USAR
Active Duty
Active Duty
USAR
Active Duty
Active Duty
USAR
ARNG
ARNG
Active Duty
Active Duty
USAR
USAR
USAR
Active Duty
USAR
Active Duty
Active Duty
Active Duty
Active Duty
TBD
Active Duty
Active Duty
Active Duty
Active Duty
ARNG
Active Duty
ARNG
Active Duty
ARNG
*Branch change pending
**Branch Detail
AG
May 2012
TBD
End of LDAC/Aug 2012
TBD
May 2012
OD
May 2012
MI
May 2012
SC
May 2012
AG
Aug 2012
MS
May 2012
AN
May 2012
TC
May 2012
TBD
May 2012
TBD
May 2012
IN
May 2012
TC*
May 2012
TC
Aug 2012
TBD
May 2012
AG
May 2012
AN
May 2012
EN
Aug 2012
AR
May 2012
SC/IN** Aug 2012
AR
May 2012
MP
May 2012
TBD
End of LDAC/Aug 2012
MP
May 2012
AG
May 2012
AN
May 2012
OD
May 2012
AV
Aug 2012
MI/IN** May 2012
AG
May 2012
OD
May 2012
TBD
May 2012