Golden Bears Army ROTC

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1 Winter 2017 Golden Bears Army ROTC Greetings to all alumni, friends, and family of the Golden Bears ROTC Program! As you will see from the following photos, it has been a very busy fall term for us. Our senior class received their U.S. Army components and branches with all of our eligible Cadets receiving their first choice for component. Three seniors Cadets Brown, Monlux, and Nepomuceno received special recognition as Distinguished Military Graduates for placing in the top 20% of their cohort and will all commission into Active Duty. We completed two off-campus field training exercises one at Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area in September and another at Fort Hunter Liggett in November. In late October, our Ranger Challenge team finished 10 th out of 13 schools in a regional competition hosted by San Diego State University at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The team represented the Golden Bears with pride showing tremendous teamwork and heart throughout the competition. In December, we hosted the annual Tri-Service Military Ball at the Berkeley Marina it was a great evening of fellowship and celebration of the rich traditions of military service at UC Berkeley. The guest speaker was Dr. Ron Hassner a UC Berkeley faculty member who teaches one of the most popular political science courses on campus entitled War! We then ended the semester by commissioning four new Second Lieutenants 2LTs Jose Ayon, Michael Nepomuceno, Pamela Lewes, and James Robbins. We wish them all the best as they embark on their military careers. On the personnel side, I d like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Cadre members and their families. Mr. Roger Eltzroth joined us in October as our new Recruiting Operations Officer he brings a wealth of military recruiting experience that will certainly help the program continue to grow in both quantity and quality. Just weeks ago, MSG Hugh Simmons arrived from the frozen tundra of Fort Drum, NY to serve as our Senior Military Instructor. Cadets and Cadre alike are excited to finally have an NCO presence return to the program! Here s to a great spring semester Bears Lead the Way! LTC Steve Suhr Professor of Military Science Eltzroth Family MSG and Teresa Simmons

2 COMBAT WATER SURVIVAL TRAINING The Army ROTC battalion conducts Combat Water Survival Training (CWST) once a year in order to prepare future officers to overcome their fears and be able to operate in difficult conditions. Before the main CWST events, the Cadets must swim for 10 minutes unassisted, and tread water for another 5 minutes without any help. CWST consists of three events beginning with the individual performing a 15m swim in full ACU while keeping the muzzle of their weapon above and out of the water. The second event consists of the individual removing their LBV while submerged underwater. CWST training tests the Cadet s physical endurance and mental strength to complete the events. The last event consists of the individual jumping from a high diving board, blindfolded, while retaining full control of their weapon. Cadets receiving safety briefs and instructions before conducting CWST Cadets conduct 10 minute swim and 5 minutes of treading water before completing events All smiles here with Cadet Wilkerson 2LT Nepomuceno demonstrates how to conduct the blindfolded jump off the diving board 2

3 Ranger Challenge October 2016 Every Fall Semester at UC Berkeley, there are a few Cadets who challenge themselves physically, and mentally to compete at Ranger Challenge in San Diego, CA against other Army ROTC battalions in California. This year we placed 10th out of 13 teams. Though we didn t place first, our Ranger Challenge team showed extreme dedication and persistence. Throughout the semester while their peers were sleeping in an extra hour or two, the Ranger Challenge team practiced Monday-Friday to perform their best at the competition. Fall 2016 Ranger Challenge Team Ranger Challenge Team completing the Physical Fitness Test 3

4 Field Training Events During the school semester at UC Berkeley, the Cadets participate in two field training events. The first field training event consists of spending the day at Camp Parks running a confidence course and conducting land navigation. The second field training event takes place at Fort Hunter-Liggett and spans an entire weekend. The Cadets are tested on their physical endurance, mental agility, and tactics during the weekend. The Cadets persevered through austere conditions while conducting battle drills and land navigation and ended with a 6 mile ruck march. Cadets worked with their squads to complete all of the obstacles and built camaraderie amongst themselves. Cadets eager to go home after a long day. Cadets are taught the importance of teamwork and to trust their peers. What goes up, must come down! 4

5 Cadre members enjoy the Tri- Service ball festivities with the Cadets. Cadets Gutierrez, Pick, and Lewes are excited to finish the year strong Tri-Service Ball (Army, Navy, Air Force) The Golden Bear Battalion had the honor of hosting the annual triservice ball which took place at Hs Lordships at the Berkeley Marina. The tri-service ball has become a fun event to say farewell to the graduating seniors from every branch, and to recognize what each branch has done during the year. After a good meal, the Cadets and Cadre stay afterwards to dance and mingle with the other branches to build joint camaraderie. Cadets Wilson and Amoyo excited for the ball! The Army Golden Bear females! Cadet Brooks contemplating his next move. 5

6 LTC Suhr congratulates 2LT Robbins commissioning into Signal with a branch detail of Armor Fall 2016 Commissioning Ceremony The Golden Bear Battalion had the honor of commissioning four well deserving individuals into the United States Army in December The Golden Bear Battalion wants to congratulate Second Lieutenants Ayon, Lewes, Nepomuceno, and Robbins. Welcome to the United States Army! Battle Buddies for life! 6

7 6 mile ruck march home 1st squad planning their mission Knocked out after a long training weekend! Cadets learning how to build a fire with limited materials 7

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