Wildcat Roar. Northern Michigan University Army ROTC. Winter Semester 2013

Transcription

1 Winter Semester 2013 L-R: LTC Kyle Rambo (PMS), 2LT Elizabeth Eldridge, 2LT Charles Sullivan, CPT James Kolky (XO), 2LT Benjamin Rodenberg, 2LT Erwin Marciniak, COL James Gardiner (Guest Speaker), 2LT Paul Linsmeyer, President David Haynes (NMU), 2LT David Mallard, Dr. Paul Lang (Provost), 2LT Simon Zelinski, Dr. Harvey Wallace (Dean) and MSG James Hoffman (SMI) Northern Michigan University Army ROTC

2 Page 2 Commander s Notes Families and friends of the NMU Wildcat Battalion, Let me take a few moments to reflect on a few of our many accomplishments this semester. We started out with winter survival training which ended being a weekly requirement all the way through April. Despite the harsh weather, we continued to embrace the tough training conditions of the UP, which only made us stronger. We conducted countless patrols in snowshoes. Our color guard provided flawless performances nearly every week. We planned and executed an incredibly exciting, and challenging FTX at Camp Grayling. We pulled off an impressive and fun military ball. And finally our MSIIIs set the example and impressed the entire Task Force at the Combined Field Training Exercise at Fort McCoy. We proved that good leaders shine even when the sun doesn t. We took time to recognize some deserving Cadets for their great performances and efforts. Congratulations to all the award winners! Finally we culminated the year by commissioning eight great Americans who will serve this nation with distinction and integrity. I also want to take a moment to recognize our collective group of trainers this year. The MSIVs and cadre, with little guidance and direction from myself and only the occasional boot in the butt, came together as a team and ensured all training was tough, realistic and safe. Their efforts made sure all of our cadets were successful and fully prepared for follow-on training and military schools this summer. A note to all of our recent graduates and present Cadets: When you finally catch your breath from an extremely busy and successful school year, please take a moment to look ahead to tomorrow and your future. Many of you are well on their way to becoming outstanding Army officers. Whether you just completed your freshman year as a Cadet or just commissioned, I ask that you continue to strive to develop yourself as leaders. To continue to develop yourself as leaders, read, think, and study your profession at every opportunity. In order to prepare for the complex missions we see today. I can t emphasize enough, the importance of a self-study program for cadets and officers. During your self-study program I ask that you look at small unit leadership examples, especially where leaders were forced to understand complex situations involving close contact with enemy and civilian populations. I ve shared some of these with the MSIVs to force them to solve difficult tactical problems in time constrained environments. Destroying the enemy while protecting and supporting the population, has become a common task for all conflicts we are engaged in now and I expect in the future. This common task is incredibly complex. No one, not politician, intellectual or ordinary citizen can fully comprehend or appreciate the role and responsibilities of an Army officer in combat. So continue to study and prepare today, for the problems you will face tomorrow. To add to your complex task, or maybe to serve as a forcing function to becoming more innovative as a leader, we enter into a period of constrained budgets and resources. During the next few years you will have to seek out ways to be more efficient and save money without compromising standards to training in order to ensure your unit remains combat ready. You will be expected to train smarter with limited ammo, fuel, parts, vehicles, and Soldiers. Expect to place greater emphasis on maintenance and supply discipline since both save money. Be aware, however, maintenance and supply discipline take significant time and effort to perform to standard. I have complete faith that each of you will be able to thrive as leaders despite the budget constraints, since your generation has managed to adapt faster than any generation before it. Here s a few more observations I ve made about your generation. You understand your role in the world better and are more aware of world issues and their impact on this country. You also understand technology and absorb it much faster than my generation. And finally, you are more intelligent than any generation that has gone before you. Despite these enormous strengths your generation is lacking an important quality that I ask you to continue to work on. resiliency. I had never even used this word until a few years ago when the Army experienced a significant rise in suicides. A lack of resiliency can be partly contributed to the world you grew up in. For example when I was growing up, getting knocked in the mouth or getting in a fight was almost a weekly occurrence. We were forced to work out our own problems and challenges with no parents, teachers or lawyers required or requested. Now I don t Condon fighting or bullying, but I do know solving my own problems at an early age forced me to develop some important life skills I ve carried with me my entire life, especially the skill to recover from a bad situation. So to get ready for combat you have to get physical. You also have to be mentally tough enough to get back up after being knocked down, push through the pain, never quit, complete the mission, and get up the next day and do it again. Many of you have demonstrated you already possess some resiliency. You know who you are (320 club). I challenge the rest of you to break from the norms of our society which promotes pain avoidance at all costs, and take the pain. Learn to manage painful events and setbacks and ask a buddy for help. Never quit! Allow yourself to become more resilient physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I have seen signs of greatness in all of you. Now is the time to get out there and put in the hard work to achieve it.

3 Volume 11 May 2013 Department of Military Science Northern Michigan University 101 Gries Hall Marquette, MI (phone) (fax) required or requested. Now I don t Condon fighting or bullying, but I do know solving my own problems at an early age forced me to develop some important life skills I ve Commanders notes continued... To the MS IIIs who have already established a reputation of excellence at the CFTX, and will spend the rest of May fighting onto their final objective LDAC. Continue to develop your leadership skills based on your upbringing and observations. You will observe both good and poor leadership examples at Fort Lewis. I remind you that respect is often the difference between good and poor leadership. You will probably witness some of your peers displaying a lack of respect as a follower. This will definitely sink them and their evaluation at LDAC will reflect this leadership flaw. Maintain your mutual respect among your peers since they are your greatest ally and will serve with you throughout your career. Also remember the golden rule when in charge, and treat your subordinates as you would want to be treated. Finally, lead by example at every opportunity. To the MS IVs who are now beginning their careers as officers in the Army, I can guarantee you a few things. I guarantee that you will lead. I also guarantee you will have to prove your leadership skills and will be tested to demonstrate your personal courage. You will have to make the hard, but right decision in the face of adversity. Your decisions will not always be popular and may even result in failure but as the leader you make the decision. Good, bad, or stupid, make the call and take full responsibility for its effects on your men and the mission. Also have the professional courage to question the bad decisions by your leaders. Call this your gut instinct. If it doesn t feel right it probably isn t. If the answer you get when you question the decision sounds something like, I don t know or care, then you are witnessing poor leadership. Finally, as a group you worked extremely hard to ensure the younger cadets were properly trained and prepared. You should be proud of your efforts. I know I am. I only wish I could be around to witness all the great things you will do for your Soldiers, the Army, and this nation during your careers. May God bless each of you and may God bless America. LTC Kyle Rambo, PMS Notes from Military Science Instructor It has been a very extensive and rewarding school year. You all have learned a lot, as well as I, about the ROTC and Wildcat Battalion. I am impressed, and proud, of how all of the cadets have managed their studies along with the demands of ROTC. You all have managed this in a professional manner. I would like to say good luck to all of the MS III going to LDAC this summer. There is no doubt that you will represent us very well and excel above your peers. To everybody else going to Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP), Cadet Practical Field Training (CPFT), or just taking the summer off, I wish you safe travels and look forward to your return this fall. Remember; keep doing PT while enjoying your summer. MS IV, future 2LT s, I wish you God speed. You will soon be the tip of the spear. Always lead from the front and by example. Take care of your soldiers, and NCO s and they will take care of you. Best of luck with you future Army career. I am confident that you will excel as superior Army Officers. ALL THE WAY! WILDCATS! MSG James Hoffman

4 Page 4 Ironwood JROTC Inspection Northern Michigan University s Wildcat battalion inspection of Ironwood JROTC is a day of mixed feelings. For some, it s just another day at the office. But for others, such as me, it is a return home, a return to my roots. I was born and raised in the Bessemer- Ironwood area. I myself am an Ironwood JROTC alumnus and I always enjoy going back there to see just how things have changed and in some cases, how things have stayed the same. On 27MARCH2013, NMU s very own wildcat battalion headed to Ironwood Michigan for their yearly JROTC inspection day. Fellow Wildcat battalion cadets and I inspected uniforms, talked with possible future NMU ROTC cadets and answered any questions the Ironwood JROTC personnel may have had, be it about ROTC in college or college or life itself. LTC Manki, along with his JROTC cadet staff, ensured the day s festivities flowed smoothly and that all cadets were squared away for the inspections. LTC Manki is the long time instructor of Ironwood JROTC and is set to retire sometime next year after many years of service to the local Ironwood community and to the Ironwood JROTC program. For many years, LTC Manki has spent long hours shaping future United States citizens and possible future Army officers. He has changed many lives, me included. Thank you LTC Manki for all of your hard work throughout the years and for your continued support of Northern Michigan University s Wildcat battalion. I look forward to the continued cooperation between Ironwood s JROTC battalion and Northern Michigan University s Wildcat battalion over the coming years. - Cadet Daniel Sackmann, MS III German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFB) The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) is a three day long competition that allows cadets and enlisted soldiers to compete for a badge to wear on their uniforms. The badge is awarded in three standards; gold, silver, and bronze with gold being the highest award possible. Every event has a gold silver or bronze standard. This is a modification from previous years where events were pass/fail and the pistol shoot decided what badge you were qualifying for. The NMU battalion sent 9 cadets to Mil- waukee, Wisconsin in order to participate in the six events. All of the cadets earned a badge. Two earned bronze, six earned silver, and one earned gold. The events were spread over three days. the three kilo- alternate all cadets cadet was be engaged cadet hit with qualified at they hit four qualified sil- hit three, then they qualified bronze. After the pistol participated in the high jump and shot put or standing On Friday night all cadets completed the 100m dash, meter run, and the long jump. The long jump was an event for the high jump event. The following morning, competed in the pistol shoot. For the pistol shoot, each given five rounds and three targets. Every target had to at least once in order for the shots to be counted. If the all 5 rounds they the gold level, if of five then they ver, and if they shoot, all cadets long jump. On Sunday morning the final event was held. It was the timed ruck march through designated route drawn out throughout Milwaukee. Each cadet had at least thirty-three pounds in their ruck sacks. Each standard was given a different distance they had to run and a different time that they had to complete it in. For bronze it was 3.5 miles in less than 1 hour, for silver it was 6.5 miles in less than one and a half hours, and gold was 7.5 miles in less than two hours. After the ruck march was completed the award ceremony began and all of the cadets were presented their badges by the German Sergeant Major. Cadet Adam Schafer MSI

5 Page 5 Porteous Named Cadet of the Semester Emily Porteous is a Freshman majoring in Criminal Justice the Wildcat Battalion. Cadet Porteous was chosen as Cadet of the Semester by a board of her peers because of her ethics, hard work, positive attitude and determination to be the best that she can be. Cadet of the semester is based off of the following qualities: well organized, disciplined, a good helper, someone who is eager to learn, always on time, and sets a good example. The Cadets are brought before a board and asked a series of questions and voted for by their fellow cadets. Cadet Porteous is attending basic training during the summer Get Ready, Get Set, GO! The run-a-thon is an important event that Northern Michigan ROTC program holds every year. This event reminds the cadet of the contribution that our veterans have on today's army as well as hard work and pushing the cadets' physical boundaries. The run-a-thon is a team building event that the cadets bond, through working together to raise money for the program as well as the veterans home, the D.J. Jacobetti Center. The run-a-thon is a chance to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves and help keep military traditions alive and support our military brothers that went before them. This year, the cadets put forward an immaculate effort. A total of 1,393 laps was ran averaging about 200 miles. Cadet Nicholas Ireland led the battalion by running over 14 miles in the two hour time period. Half of the money raised ($ ) was donated to the Jacobetti Home for Veterans. We would like to thank all of the sponsors that donated to our effort. -CDT John Owens MS II Military Ball On Friday, March 15, the Wildcat Battalion hosted their annual military ball at the Marquette Armory to celebrate another years worth of hard work and dedication. The event was organized, after weeks of planning, by the ROTC s military ball committee under the supervision of Cadet Catie Eldridge. Upon presentation of the colors, the Master of Ceremonies, Cadet Derek Houser, introduced the formal event and our guest speakers to really start the evening off right. NMU ROTC s Professor of Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel Kyle Rambo and honored guest speaker Colonel (Ret.) James Jajich offered their words of wisdom at the event and inspired us all to continue pursuing a successful career serving our country with the United States Army. Afterwards, cadets enjoyed a wonderful meal catered by Northern Michigan University culinary arts students and competed for a variety of raffle prizes donated by local Marquette businesses. The rest of the evening was spent playing games of root beer pong and dancing to NMU s Radio X in order to finish the formal evening. Very special thanks go to Colonel (Ret.) Jajich and his wife, the NMU culinary arts, Radio X, the many local business around Marquette, and the Marquette Armory for making the event a great success and a wonderful, celebratory evening. -CDT Stephanie Roberts MSI

6 Page 6 Winter Field Training Exercise The Winter FTX this year I found to be better than past years. We headed down to Camp Grayling on a Friday morning and kicked the FTX off with day and night land navigation. There wasn t much excitement till the following day when we conducted several squad STX and patrolling lanes. The best part of the lanes was being able to use airsoft rifles. The rifles made the experience more realistic and I found myself more involved and motivated to complete the mission. Trying to keep a positive state of mind was the challenge on this FTX due to being cold and wet all day. This really put a damper on people s attitudes, but I felt that having the airsoft weapons and acting in reallife scenarios made the weekend better. It was a great experience training in a different environment, especially being able to conduct missions in the mock village. One thing we have never done before was conduct a battalion size mission, where each company had a specific scheme of maneuver in order to complete the mission. This situation was the greatest experience I have had yet in ROTC. It was awesome to see all the different elements involved and interesting to see how and where things can fall apart. I actually enjoyed this FTX and I had a lot of fun with it. CDT Ashley Collier, MSIII MS III s Head to Fort McCoy, WI for a challenge The CFTX or Combined Field Training Exercise, which were conducted at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, was a great experience. The CFTX allowed cadets the chance to step up and take a leadership role. The leadership roles consisted of being a Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Company Commander. The CFTX consisted of schools from upper Michigan and Wisconsin, collectively known as Task Force Badger. The CFTX included events such as Land Navigation, Patrolling and garrison position. Garrison positions were normally conducted in the barracks. The CFTX allowed us the opportunity to operate patrols consisting of three squads. Often times this created a challenge for many of the patrol leaders as they would have to maintain control of thirty plus cadets at one time. Overall, the CFTX was a great opportunity for cadets to step up and assume leadership positions. The training we received will help us at our final training exercise known as the Leadership Development Assessment Course, which is located at Fort Lewis McCord, Washington. Cadet Brett Dehanas MSIII

7 Page 7 Congratulations New 2nd Lieutenants! 2 nd Lieutenant Elizabeth Eldridge 2LT Eldridge graduated from Northern with a major in Biochemistry. During her time at NMU she was a member of the Honors Program as well as a member of the Mortar Board National Honor Society. She also worked at Night Vision and Electronic Sensing Disposition for an internship and conducted research on the effects of mercury in plant ingestion. 2LT Eldridge branched Chemical Corps Active Army and will be attending BOLC at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri before heading off to her duty station in Alaska. 2 nd Lieutenant David Mallard 2LT Mallard graduated from Northern with a major in Political Science. He attended the 2012 North American Model United Nations (NAMUN) in Toronto where he was recognized as being an outstanding delegate. He has also been recognized as being a Distinguished Military Graduate for scoring so well on his OML accessions. Last summer in addition to attending LDAC, 2LT Mallard also attended and passed the Combat Diver Qualification Course in Key West, Florida earning him the prestigious Combat Diver Badge. 2LT Mallard branched Infantry Active Army and will be attending BOLC at Ft. Benning, GA. In his spare time 2LT Mallard enjoys cooking and studying international affairs. He is an avid dog lover and feels that dogs bring out the best in people. 2 nd Lieutenant Paul Linsmeyer 2LT Linsmeyer graduated from Northern with a major in History. He enjoys reading and being from Norway, MI, his favorite football team is the Detroit Lions. He branched Military Intelligence in the Army Reserves and will attend BOLC at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. 2 nd Lieutenant Simon Zelinski 2LT Zelinski graduated from Northern with a major in General Biology. 2LT Zelinkski is a veteran and deployed to Afghanistan as combat medic. During his college career 2LT Zelinski not only managed to complete a deployment but he also spent a portion of his time training and fighting in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events. In the beginning of his senior year, 2LT Zelinski traveled to Ft. Benning, GA to complete the Level 2 Combatives course. 2LT Zelinski branched Engineer Active Army and will be attending BOLC at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. 2 nd Lieutenant Charles Sullivan 2LT Sullivan is from Grosse Pointe, MI and started his career at Northern in August of This past year, he was a completion cadet and returned just finish his major which is Construction Management with a minor is Military Science and Business Administration. He branched Engineer Army Reserve and will be moving out to California upon graduation for a job. Throughout his career at Northern he was involved in a number of intramural sports and most notably was very active in the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. 2 nd Lieutenant Ben Rodenberg 2LT Rodenberg is from Sparta, WI and spent his time growing up in numerous wrestling tournaments. He and his wife Brittany married in He attended and completed Air Assault School following his sophomore year. This past summer, he spent time in Korea in the Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT) program. He is an environmental science major with an emphasis in biological science. He branched Engineer in the Michigan Army National Guard out of the 1432 nd in Iron River, MI. He will attend Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri this fall and will serve as the gold bar recruiter for NMU ROTC this summer. 2 nd Lieutenant Erwin Marciniak 2LT Marciniak graduated Northern with a major in accounting. He and his wife Sandra married last year and currently live in their own home with their 3 cats. He recently attended the George C. Marshall Conference at West Pointe. He branched Engineer Active Army and will attend BOLC at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. 2 nd 2LT Marciniak graduated from NMU with honors and during his time at Northern was also a member of the 1431 st EN CO as an SMP cadet. By: Cadet Tyler Ratton MS III

8 Page 8 2LT Rockne Belmonte Commissioned at All American Bowl Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III and ROTC Cadet Rockne Belmonte chat along the sidelines at the U.S. Army All- American Bowl Combine 1 event in San Antonio's Alamodome Jan. 4. Chandler took time to speak with the cadet and get to know him a little bit. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. Jared Taylor, 205th Public Affairs Operations Center) Via GLIAC website: Northern Michigan University alumnus Rockne Belmonte figures he has one goal down, one to go. Belmonte, a recordsetting kicker for the Wildcats football team, was also an Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadet. A December 2012 honors graduate, he was commissioned as an Army second lieutenant on January 5 in San Antonio, Texas, before the kickoff of the 13 th annual U.S. Army All American Bowl high school all star football game. One goal down. Now, Second Lt. Rockne Belmonte has the opportunity for his childhood dream, his second goal, to become reality. He will participate in several National Football League (NFL) combines in the coming months where he will be given the chance to play professionally. I have received some interest at the IFL (Indoor Football League) and AFL (Arena Football League) levels, Belmonte said. But everyone I have met so far says I have a serious shot, and I have a big leg to get me there. Belmonte intends to pursue both Army service and a professional football career. My plan is to do everything I can to take my shot at the NFL while still fulfilling my service to the Army. I was assessed as active Army, although I am hoping to get a job playing football and switch to the (Army Reserve) so I can continue to participate in the two passions I have, he said. Belmonte was one of a number of outstanding cadets and soldiers selected to attend the Army All-American Bowl to interact with and mentor the players, and speak to community leaders, educators, players and family members about his experience in ROTC and the opportunities available in the program. Belmonte did not start his college football career at Northern Michigan -- he played at Eastern Michigan for one season. He said he enrolled in ROTC while there because he needed to be part of a team after the season ended, and he said he always wanted to serve his country. I was attracted by being able to have the opportunity to be a leader in the U.S. Army, Belmonte said. He was awarded a four-year Army ROTC scholarship, and majored in physical education coaching a major he said he chose because he didn t want to ever leave the great game of football it teaches you more about life than any classroom can. His professor of military science at Northern Michigan, Lt. Col. Kyle Rambo, said athletes like Belmonte epitomizes what he is looking for in a cadet. (He is) intelligent, athletic, and honest, Rambo said. He was one of our hardest working cadets who always applied every minute of his day to improving himself as a student, athlete or leader. NCAA athletes perform extremely well as cadets because they come fully equipped with several attributes that are some of the hardest to teach. They are dedicated, extremely competitive, team-oriented and perform well under enormous pressure. Rambo also said ROTC reinforces all of those qualities while instilling Army values and developing leadership skills. It is for those reasons he continues to reach out to other athletes on campus to join ROTC. I now have three NCAA athletes who are contracted cadets in my program, he said. And from participation in ROTC, Belmonte said he has learned much that will put him ahead of his peers. (One of the things) is the ability to lead from the front and think on my feet. In football there is always an expression that is, being able to respond to adversity, he said. There is no better training to be able to respond and overcome adversity than in the Army. When I first got up to (college), Coach Randy Awrey and the current professor of military science met with my parents and myself over dinner, he added. We had a talk about time management and where I was to be, depending on the time of the year. It made me master my time management skills. I am always on the run, but it makes me better at football and ROTC, because I could not be as successful in one without the other. He added that ROTC creates officers of character by demanding a cadet s very best. He said he learned it isn t acceptable to disrespect yourself, and by doing so, disrespecting the program. ROTC holds cadets accountable for everything they do or fail to do. Belmonte said this is important because people cannot be successful as leaders if they are leaders without character. Also, it has given me the abilities necessary to be a leader on the football team from a position of kicker normally thought of as being weaker or lesser (in terms of leadership), he said. The record-setting kicker said that professionalism is something else he learned. He said he has always competed in sports but had always had a sense of cocky confidence. But his ROTC classes allowed him to grow that confidence and allow it to mature so he is professional about it. As much as he has progressed in ROTC, Belmonte has also progressed in football starting with his favorite college moments. He said one of those moments was helping NMU beat a team they had not beaten in a long while by kicking a NMU record 58-yard field goal. Cont. on page 9

9 Page 9 Summer Training Opportunities for NMU Cadets CULP Cultural Understanding Language Proficiency Program CDT Benjamin Carlson-Ben is currently a Sophomore here at NMU studying Biology with emphasis in Physiology. Ben has a GPA of 3.4. Ben will be Traveling to Lithuania this summer from May 2013 thru June 2013 where he will be working with our NATO Partner and Lithuanian Military Academy. CDT Stephanie Roberts- Stephanie is currently a Sophomore in the NMU nursing program with a current 3.9 GPA. Stephanie will be participating in CULP in Muldova from May 2013 thru June CDT MacKenzie Carlson- MacKenzie is a Sophomore and nursing Student with a current 3.5 GPA. MacKenzie is also our Color Guard Captain. She is scheduled to go to WHINSEC from May through August 2013 at Ft. Benning, GA. CDT Garett Schoenfelder- Garett is currently active with NMU Athletics and Athletic Sports Medicine at NMU. Garett is an SMP cadet from the Soo MI National Guard unit and will be going to Togo for his CULP June 2013 thru July Garett will be working with the Togo Military Academy as part of the Army Security Cooperation Plan. He will also perform as a cultural educator. CDT Daniel Lee-Daniel is an SMP Cadet working towards his Criminal Justice degree. He has an opportunity to go to Latvia this year with CULP and the Michigan National Guard. He will be working with the Latvia military in their conversion from a Soviet Doctrine based military to a Western, NATO member country military. CDT Emily Allen-Emily is an active Division II NMU Cross Country and NMU Track and Field participant. She was recognized for her efforts in December by Athletic Director Forrest Karr. She will be leading an educational and medical team in the country of Barbados from June 2013 thru July She was recognized as being the # 1 Cadet in our Brigade, thus receiving the CULP assignment in greatest demand. CDT Chelsea Faraquhar- Chelsea is currently a Division II NMU Cross Country and NMU Indoor Track and Field runner. She is also a nursing student and last summer had the opportunity to go to LDAC, Leadership Development and Assessment Course. This year, she has a great opportunity to go to Airborne school while also studying at the US Army s South American and Latin American Studies and Spheres of Influence Academy at Fort Benning, GA. CDT Brett Dehanas-Brett is currently an MS III and he will be participating with CTLT, Cadet Troop Leader Training at Fort Bragg, NC. This is a great opportunity for him to see how the Army and the Airborne community operate and train. CDT Nicholas Ireland-Nick will also participate this summer in the CTLT, Cadet Troop Leader Training program at Fort Bliss, TX. Most likely he will train with the Infantry and Armor Division and get better acquainted with their operations, ranges, and training in the Texas Desert. CDT Tyler Ratton-Tylor was one of only a few Cadets in the entire Nation selected to conduct research and analysis for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in San Francisco, CA. His topic of research has not been revealed. Belmonte continued from Page 8 To continue his drive toward fulfilling his football dream, he is spending January kicking on an arena football field and focusing on strength training so he can build leg speed and refine his technique. Belmonte is the son of Bob and Pamela Belmonte of Grand Rapids, Mich. He said his father, a Notre Dame alumnus, named his son after the legendary Irish football coach. Born on St. Patrick s Day, Belmonte is a 2007 graduate of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School. His plans are to fly to Scottsdale, Ariz., later this month for some additional practice and later to Las Vegas for the AFL tryouts. He ll then go to Los Angeles for the NFL. Without the support of his family, Belmonte said he wouldn t be where he is now, and without the support of the NMU football and ROTC staffs he wouldn t have been able to pursue both his dreams. Whether he plays football in the NFL while being an Army Reservist, or is a full time active duty Army officer, Belmonte has much to teach those whom he leads. I am working hard toward both my goals, he said. My dream shot would be to do both. Newly Commissioned 2LT Belmonte and family talk with the Chief Army Reserve LT GEN Talley

10 Page 10 Allen Awarded Athlete of Month for Ranger Challenge Cadet Allen was recognized as the Student-Athlete-Scholar of the Month for the month of November. Cadet Allen is a talented and gifted student who works extremely hard at balancing all three areas as a scholar, athlete, and leader. She excels with a very difficult Major/Minor academic combination, as well as a proven athlete on the university s Cross-Country and Track Teams, and now named the top individual cadet at a grueling Ranger Challenge competition. Cadet Allen was honored for not only excelling in academics and cross country and track, but for her effort in off-field training and performance in Ranger Challenge. Cadet Allen not only met the standard at Ranger Challenge, she exceeded the standard. She achieved the highest individual score amongst all male and female competitors in the Army Physical Fitness test. She helped bring a Ranger Challenge Championship back to NMU, its first in twenty years. She helped guide the NMU Female Ranger Challenge Team to a 2 nd place finish at Brigade Ranger Challenge hosted at Camp Dodge, Iowa. 06 December 2012 cadet Emily Allen along with LTC Kyle Rambo, Cross Country and Track coach Ms. Jenny Ryan, and NMU Athletic Director Mr. Forrest Karr at the Berry Events Center. Welcome Mr. Lancer Gilliam! Mr. Lancer Gilliam Human Resources Assistant Mr. Lancer Gilliam was born on 29 June, 1970 in Flint, Michigan. He is a 1988 graduate of Swartz Creek High School, Swartz Creek, Michigan and he holds 2 Community College of the Air Force degrees. One in Electronic Systems Technology and the other as an Instructor of Military Science and Technology. Mr. Gilliam Joined the United States Air Force on 12 October, 1988 when he attended basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas. After completing Basic Military Training, he attended four months of technical training for Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) Mechanic at Chanute AFB, Illinois. As an AGE Mechanic Sergeant Gilliam served at Clark AB, Philippines from and Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan from Due to career field saturation Mr. Gilliam was forced to cross-train where he selected Ground Radio Maintenance and he proceeded to Keesler AFB, Mississippi for six months of technical training for his new career choice. Mr. Gilliam s first assignment in the Ground Radio career field was at K. I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan where he served from 1992 until it closed in After closing down K. I. Sawyer AFB, sergeant Gilliam was assigned to Fairchild AFB, Washington where he worked in the fixed radio shop. After a year of working on fixed radios he transferred over to the Mobile Communications section. He later worked in the Maintenance Support and Land Mobile Radio sections. In 2005 Mr. Gilliam was assigned to Moody AFB, Georgia where he did a 4 year tour with the 820 th Security Forces Group. Finally in 2009 Mr. Gilliam arrived at Keesler AFB, Mississippi for his final assignment where he served as an Instructor Supervisor and Flight Chief of the Radio Frequency Transmissions Flight in the 338 th Training Squadron. Mr. Gilliam is the recipient of two Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals, four Air Force Achievement Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, eight Air Force Good Conduct Medals, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He has also received numerous quarterly awards and letters of appreciation. Mr. Gilliam is married to the former Melissa Jean Osantowski of Cass City Michigan. They currently reside in Marquette, Michigan and have two children: Alexander and Melanie.

11 Page 11 WELCOME CPT James Kolky XO, APMS Source of Commission: Northern Michigan University Education: Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and History Biography and Assignment History: CPT Kolky is from Marquette, MI, he graduated from Marquette Senior High School in June of He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps for a term of 6-years (Jan 1991-Jan 1997); completing the 13-week Marine Recruit Basic Course at MRCD San Diego and the 4-week long Marine Combat Training (MCT) at San Onofre, Camp Pendleton, CA. he attended the 18-week Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crewmember course at Del Mar, Camp Pendleton, CA in October 1991 before joining up with the 3 rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, camp Pendleton, CA. After completing Army ROTC, he attended the Chemical Officer Basic Course (Branch Detail Program) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Upon completion of this course in October 2005, he was assigned to the 2-16IN (TF Ranger), 4 th IBCT, Fort Riley, KS to be their Battalion Chemical Officer and Battalion Battle Captain for the upcoming deployment for the Iraq surge. He deployed to Iraq from February 2007 to April 2008, attached to 2 nd IBCT Strike Brigade 2 nd infantry Division in Eastern Baghdad at FOB Rustamiyah with 3 assigned Combat Outposts and 2 functioning Joint Security Stations, and 1 Iraqi Police Station. During this time, 1LT Kolky supervised the execution of 300 missions and the capture of 120 High value Targets from various Iraqi militias in theater. Upon completion of his deployment and his branch detail program in the spring of 2008, he requested to attend his primary Branch MI Captain s Career Course from September 2008 to February After graduating from MI Captain s Career Course, he was assigned to 1 st Air Cavalry Brigade as an Assistant Brigade S2 and deployed to Iraq from July 2009 to May 2010 being the technical advisor to the Brigade S2, brigade Commander, and 1 st Calvary Division in Baghdad and Al-Anbar provinces. After the deployment of , CPT Kolky returned to Fort Hood TX to become the Brigade S2 Intelligence Officer for 1 st Air Cavalry Brigade to prepare them for their deployment to RC-North in Afghanistan beginning in May CPT Kolky assisted the Brigade S3 for their train-up at Fort Carson, CO, in the fall of 2010 to execute High Altitude Mountainous Environment Training (HAMET) for all of the Brigade Pilots. Following this train-up, CPT Kolky was able to attend the Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Course at Fort Huachuca for a 6-week course to be able to operate assigned SIGINT equipment from a helicopter platform. While attending school in December 2010, he applied for a an opening Company Commander position with the 504 th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BFSB) for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan and was selected among 10 officers to apply to take control of B Company, 303 rd Military intelligence Battalion in the fall of CPT Kolky left his Brigade S2 position 1 st Air Cavalry Brigade in April In June 2011, CPT Kolky deployed to Afghanistan with 303 rd Military Intelligence Battalion to Bagram Airbase. He established the Battalion TOC and coordination with 1 st Calvary Division and 5 brigade Operation Sections for RC East. By September 2011, he prepared to take over B Company Soldiers encompassing 23 different teams spread out over 11 different locations of logar, Ghanzi, and Wardak provinces, executing multi-discipline intelligence operations with Special Operation Forces and three different Brigade High Value targets and removing 20 very large caches providing lethal aid and financial funding to the insurgents during his Company Commander time in Afghanistan. CPT Kolky returned to Fort Hood, TX in May 2012 from 11 months deployed to Afghanistan awaiting orders for his next assignment from Human Resources Command. He inquired about a possible opening at Northern Michigan University, so he could teach, coach, and mentor future Army Officers from his experience. He was notified by HRC in late October of his assignment to his alma Mater. CPT Kolky s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star (2 nd Award), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Achievement Components Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon (1 bronze star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2x Campaign Stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (2x Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non- Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2, ISAF NATO Medal, Over Seas Service Ribbon with numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Navy Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment with 2 Bronze stars, Navy Marine Corps Overseas ribbon, Valorous Unit Citation Award ( ), and a Meritorious Unit Citation ( ).

12 Page 12 Military Science 1401Presque Isle Ave Marquette, MI Alumni Updates Requested Name: Graduation Date (month/year): Spouse Name: Major/Degree: Address: Phone Number: City: State: Zip: Cell Phone: address: Employment Status: Employer: Please feel free to update/share anything else with us that is important to you: (along with any memories that you wish to share) Please mail above form to: NMU ROTC, 1401 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI or send via to To DONATE to the NMU Wildcat Battalion please make check payable to NMU Ranger Fund and mail your check to NMU Ranger Fund, 1401 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI or you may to inquire about specific projects that ROTC might be seeking donations for.