Yellow Jacket Battalion

Transcription

1 Yellow Jacket Battalion West Virginia State University Check us on the web! Upcoming Events: Land Nav M-16 Range FTX CULP Leadership Development and Assessment Course Leaders Training Course In this Issue: Page Commanders Corner 1 Making Headlines 2 People to Watch 3 Hall of Fame 4 Seniors Corner 5 Where they are now 6,7 ~ Commander s Corner At long last, we ve resurrected the Yellow Jacket newsletter, with a plan to publish new volumes at the end of each semester. I look forward to Cadets, Cadre and alumni providing photos and feedback to connect with the current students and faculty at WVSU, GSC, UC and WVUIT. With another successful semester completed, I am excited to provide a synopsis of the many accomplishments that abound within our Battalion formation. This past Summer, we ve deployed Cadets across the world, with four attending Operation Warrior Forge at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, one Cadet attended the Leader Training Course at Fort Knox, KY, and yet another traveled to Slovakia with the Cultural Understanding and Language Program (CULP) an international exchange program with 43 nations around the globe. Two students attended and earned their Airborne and Air Assault badges at separate locations, while Cadre facilitated instructional learning at LDAC, LTC, and CULP. During the Fall 2012 semester, we ve pushed our Cadets to excel and overcome the inherent challenges of communication and planning, with multiple events at remote locations, while coordinating their efforts to achieve great results. I offer a solid round of applause to the masterful work of our Cadet BN CDR, Ashley Bish (WVSU), CDT SGM Hannah Pilcher (WVUIT), the Operations Officer (S3) John Smith (WVSU) and our Admin/Logisitician (S1/S4) Nicole Himes (GSC). Together they organized the Combined Fall FTX at Point Pleasant with Marshall University ROTC, executed combat water survival training at multiple locations, hosted the first Ranger Challenge Scrimmage on WVSU campus, facilitated small arms ranges at both Glenville campus as well as vicinity WVSU at the State Police range, conducted two world-class homecoming events with the M1A1 PAC 75mm howitzer, hosted the 33 rd annual Hall of Fame ceremony, and placed 9 th (among 20 similar schools) in the Ranger Challenge competition at Fort Pickett, VA. This has been a truly busy semester, with eleven color guard events in 16 weeks, and each of the Senior Cadets maintaining a GPA over 3.10! In the face of military draw down, the Yellow Jacket Battalion can finally boast a 100% manning level, with the arrivals of our Senior Military Instructor, MSG Johnathon Shank, our Executive officer, MAJ Charles Beirne, and CPT Jonathan Judy, Assistant Professor of Military Science. We look forward to continued support, classroom presentations, drill and ceremony competitions, and Raider Challenge meets with our local JROTC service programs at the following High Schools: George Washington (Army), Riverside (Army), Capital (Army), St Albans (USMC), Sissonville (USMC), Nitro (USAF), and South Charleston (USAF). I encourage faculty, friends, and Cadets to refer young and aspiring students to try Military Science classes. There is no initial commitment, and we offer a variety of experiences towards achieving their academic goals and a professional career. We continue to offer several scholarships (2, 3, & 4 year) along with monthly stipends ($300 to $500/mo) and some housing scholarships at GSC and WVSU. 1

2 Yellow Jackets Led The Way West Virginia University State ~Making the Headlines 2012 RANGER CHALLENGE TEAM Institute, WV Ranger Challenge Cadets work together to construct a One Rope Bridge at FT A.P. Hill, VA Tel: / 3109 / 3295 Fax: rotcmail@wvstateu.edu Ranger Challenge Scrimmage at WVSU Campus LTC Taylor tosses a coin to determine which team will start the competition Cadets prepare to launch a Zodiac Boat during Ranger Challenge Scrimmage Cadets Fire the cannon after a score at Glenville State University Home Coming Cadets Smith and Bish Color Guard for Home Coming King and Queen Staff Ride at Droop Mountain Battlefield Pocahontas County, WV ROTC Home Coming King and Queen CDT Halstead in the dorm 2

3 Yellow Jackets Check us on the web! West Virginia University State Institute, WV Tel: / 3109 / 3295 Fax: rotcmail@wvstateu.edu ~People to Watch 2LT John Brabender Ladies and gentlemen may I present to you the newest second lieutenant in the United States Army, 2LT John Thomas Brabender. This statement was made by COL (R) Warner on December 14, 2012 at Twelve hundred hours. This statement brought a smile to Brabender s face but an even bigger one on the faces of his parents John and Edith Brabender. December 14, 2012 closed a chapter in 2LT Brabender s life. The chapter coming to an end was that of a student and a Cadet. As a student, Brabender excelled in the classroom earning a Bachelor s of Arts degree in Sociology. Now begins another chapter in 2LT Brabender s life and that is the life of an officer serving in the United States Army. Brabender s first stop once leaving the friendly confines of West Virginia State University is to attend Basic Officer Leader Course Phase B at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Upon completion, 2LT Brabender will serve as a Signal Officer for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in the 1-112th Infantry. 2LT Brabender with his Parents Cadet Pilcher COL (R) Warner and 2LT Brabender 2LT Brabender and Family Cadet Hannah Pilcher of West Virginia University Institute of Technology continued her tradition of physical fitness excellence by capturing a first place finish in Armed Forces division of the 9th Annual Marshall University Half Marathon. Having already established herself as an outstanding athlete by scoring a 336 on her APFT at the Leadership Development and Assessment Course and by scoring the game winning goal in the final game of her collegiate soccer career, the Yellow Jacket Battalion s Cadet CSM took it up a notch by besting the field with a time of one hour and 54 minutes in the 13.1 mile course. Losing no momentum, Cadet Pilcher now plans to challenge herself by competing in the 25 kilometer Frozen Sasquatch Run in Charleston this coming January. What are her words of wisdom to the underclassmen? Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle. Given her athletic accomplishments and her combined talent as a scholar and leader, Cadet Pilcher continues to set a profound example for her peers to emulate. 3

4 Yellow Jackets Led The Way ~Hall of Fame Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Don Cornell Carter was born March 3, 1955 in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was a 1977 distinguished military graduate from West Virginia State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Carter earned his Master of Science Degree from Central Michigan University in Public Administration. West Virginia University State Institute, WV Tel: / 3109 / 3295 Fax: rotcmail@wvstateu.edu His military education consisted of the Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Military Police Corps, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, CAS3, and the Command and General Staff College. Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Carter s assignments include duty in Baumholder, Germany from 1985 to 1988, where he served as the Company Commander for the 92nd Military Police Company, 709th LTC (Ret) Don C. Carter Battalion. Provost Marshal, Fort Eustis, Virginia, Command Provost Marshal, Fort Clayton, Panama from , and Embassy Security Liaison, Sanna, Yemen in He also had tours of duty at Fort Monroe, Virginia; Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Riley, Kansas,; Ansbach, Germany and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Among Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Carter s awards and decorations are: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), the Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), Army Superior Unit award, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Global War, Army Meritorious Service Medals and many others. LTC Carter so enjoyed his military experience that after retirement he continued his association as a JROTC instructor at Smithfield High School, Smithfield, Virginia from The students became special to him as he worked to teach them respect, citizenship, and goal setting. Some of LTC Carter s community activities are: Ruritan Club, school representative; NAACP, member and local supporter; World Victory Church & Life Center, nominated for deacon board, participant for three years in the stage productions, and church school teacher; York High Reunion Planning Committee; Relay for Life fundraising/relay events; Smithfield High & Middle School, Parent teacher Association; National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers; Board of Directors, Gatling Point Housing Association; and Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Carter was married to Renee, and they were blessed with two children; daughter, Charisse D. Carter, and his son, 2LT Bryce S. Carter. Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Carter s life spanned the years of EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT The Yellow Jacket Battalion is excited to announce the revival of our newsletter. The goal of our newsletter is to keep you better informed about what s going on with your ROTC Program and to draw attention to our accomplishments and successes at the end of each semester. Our newsletter will be published twice annually attempting to capture the important events throughout the year. The newsletter will primarily be delivered via the Internet with accounts. Alumni and community members will receive a hard copy delivered to them courtesy of the United States Postal Service if they do not have access to the Internet. Of course, we will attempt to keep the cost of our newsletter to a minimum so we persuade our readers to provide an address. The success of our newsletter not only falls on the Cadre and Cadets but to our Alumni. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated along with any success stories you would like to submit. If you wish to make a donation to the WVSU please send a check or money order to the Charles C. Rogers Fund and mail to, Institute, WV

5 ~ Senior s C o rner Yellow Jackets Check us on the web! West Virginia State University Tel: / 3109 / 3295 Fax: rotcmail@wvstateu.edu CDT Smith Active Duty Infantry CDT Bish WVARNG Ordinance CDT Gregory Hott CDT Himes Active Duty Adjutant General CDT Pilcher Active Duty Quarter Master ~ WELCOME NEW CADETS To meet graduation and commissioning goals, the Cadre pledge to provide the best possible instruction and realistic training while offering one-on-one interaction. As new members of the Yellow Jacket Battalion it is your duty to attend and participate in classroom instruction as well as physical fitness training and labs. With the combined efforts of the Cadre and Cadet Battalion leadership we are confident that the Yellow Jacket Battalion will continue to produce effective and productive junior officers. We would like to welcome the following Cadets to the Yellow Jacket Family. CDT Darin Cook University of Charleston, 2014 CDT Nathan Bolin Glenville State, 2016 CDT Kyle Hartleben Glenville State, 2016 CDT James Hubbard Glenville State, 2015 CDT Gregory Hott Glenville State, 2015 CDT Shrewsberry takes aim on the hand grenade assault course CDT Chevelle Raines Glenville State, 2015 We would like to congratulate CDT Hott for being awarded a $5,000 ROTC scholarship after completing Leaders Training Course at Fort Knox, KY. 5

6 ~ Where they are now Currently serving as an Ordinance Officer in the West Virginia National Guard. While waiting on a school date, she has been serving as Officer in Charge of a joint reconnaissance team conducting preliminary damage assessments from Hurricane Sandy. 2LT Hibberd Currently training at Fort Lee, VA. Has completed Modern Combatives Program level 1 and FBCB 2. He was awarded the Gold German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge and also awarded the Army Achievement Medal for shooting 40/40 on weapons qualifications. 2LT Ferrebee Currently serving in the West Virginia Army National Guard as a Military Police Platoon Leader. He is scheduled to attend Basic Officer Leaders Course Phase B at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. 2LT Wormley Currently assigned to the West Virginia Army National Guard serving as a Platoon Leader with the 119th Sapper Company. He is also enrolled in Marshall University s Graduate Program obtaining a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology. 2LT Cottrill will attend Basic Officer Leaders Course Phase B at Fort Leonard Wood, MO 2LT Cottrill 6

7 ~ Where they are now Cont. Currently assigned to the West Virginia Army National Guard serving as a Ordinance Platoon Leader. He will attend Basic Officer Leaders Course Phase B at Fort Lee, VA in January LT Rowsey is expecting his first born child this summer. 2LT Rowsey Currently assigned to the West Virginia Army National Guard serving as a Military Police Platoon Leader. He is attending Basic Officer Leaders Course Phase B at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. 2LT Kiser Currently serving in the U.S. Army Reserves and training at Fort Sam Houston, TX for Medical Services. Once she completes Basic Officer Leaders Course Phase B, she will reside in Florida with her three children and husband. 2LT Watson Has branch Active Duty Chaplain and currently on an education delay attending Liberty University working on her Master s Degree in Divinity. Once completing her Master s Degree, she will attend Basic Officer Leader Course Phase B at Fort Jackson, South Carolina 2LT Douglas-Smith 7

8 West Virginia State University Check us on the web! Institute, WV The Yellow Jacket Battalion Mr. Gordon Ramey SSG Bernard Pates MAJ Charles Beirne SFC Steven Doolittle