The Official Newsletter of the Buckeye Battalion The Buckeye Battalion carries on the tradition... Inside this Issue: Page 2 Cadet Battalion Commander s Remarks Page 3 Alpha Co. Commander s Remarks Page 4 Bravo Co. Commander s Remarks Page 5 Cadets in Action Cover Story Continued Page 6 Autumn Quarter in Pictures Page 7 Ranger Challenge Dining-In Page 8 Buckeye Community Action Cadets of the Month Winter Quarter Cadet Battalion Commander Next Quarter Pages 9-10 Notes from LTC Farrell J. Duncombe II Cadets of the Buckeye Battalion march back from Tuttle Park during Leadership Lab. Continuing a tradition of excellence, the Buckeye Battalion charged into Autumn quarter 2010 with more enthusiasm than ever. With memories of LDAC and other summer training fresh in many Cadets minds, a quarter filled with exciting opportunities began this September. As the young men and women of Charlie Company began their careers as both college students and Cadets, many senior Cadets began what will be their final academic year before commissioning as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army. As the quarter progressed, it became clear that the Cadets of the Buckeye Battalion were both prepared and determined to excel physically and academically. The following Cadets received the Scholar, Athlete, Leader award in September for their superior academic and physical performance and extracurricular performance during the Spring quarter 2010. Cadets Dawson and Fulford received the Bronze award for achieving a GPA between 3.0 and 3.35. Cadets King, Ternasky, Milano, Whitney, and Yates received the Silver award for achieving a GPA between 3.36 and 3.69. Lastly, Cadets Doran, Thomas, Walker, Sardiga, Shell, and Seryak received the Gold award for achieving a GPA between 3.7 and 4.0. Additionally, Cadet Kurt Sardiga received the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement for his excellence in military, scholastic, and civil affairs. Looking back to this summer, a number of Buckeye Battalion Cadets performed in a superior manner at both LDAC and a variety of Army schools. First, the following senior Cadets earned an overall Excellent for exceeding the standard at the Leadership Development and Assessment Course this summer at Ft. Lewis, Washing- Continues on page 5...
Page 2 Comments from the Cadet Battalion Commander I would like to welcome returning Cadets, new Cadets, family, friends, cadre, and alumni to enjoy the Autumn quarter edition of "The Guidon", which displays the achievements of our Cadets over the Summer and Autumn quarters. The Guidon" demonstrates why The Ohio State University Army ROTC Buckeye Battalion is one of the premier commissioning sources for the United States Army. The Buckeye Battalion excelled during training this summer. Many Cadets completed Airborne and Air Assault training, earning the respective badges for those schools. Two Cadets attended Cadet Field Training at West Point, working in squads alongside West Point Cadets. Cadets participated in the Leadership Training Course at Fort Knox this summer, and three Cadets received awards for their performance. Our MSIVs attended the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington. LDAC is a course designed to assess Cadets leadership and is required for commissioning. Six Cadets earned the coveted Recondo badge, which measures individual soldiering skills. Seven Cadets earned an overall Excellent rating based on their leadership evaluations, and six Cadets earned top five in their platoons. Our battalion also boasts seven Distinguished Military Graduates, who are among the top twenty percent of ROTC Cadets in the nation. Many of the MSIVs who attended LDAC also attended Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT), where Cadets shadow a 2 nd Lieutenant in an active duty unit to experience what is expected of them upon commissioning. The Buckeye Cadets hit the ground running this quarter, earning second place in the Seventh Brigade Bold Warrior Challenge competition at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The team brought home two streamers for the weapons assembly/disassembly and rope bridge events. Additionally, Ohio State fielded its first all-female Ranger Challenge team. The following weekend, six Cadets, most of them from the Ranger Challenge team, went to Washington D.C. to run the Army 10-Miler. The MSIIIs conducted their Fall Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Stone s Farm, completing two iterations of day land navigation and one of night land navigation. The MSIs and IIs went to Camp Sherman to participate in an Engagement Skills Trainer range, familiarization fire with the M9 and M16, and a Field Leadership Reaction Course. To honor Veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, Cadets participated in the annual tri-service Rock Ceremony on the Oval. This quarter has seen the reactivation of Charlie Company ( The Rock ), consisting of the MSI s (first years) and their MSIV chain of command. Charlie Company s purpose is to introduce new Cadets to basic soldier skills, instill the fundamentals of leadership, and establish a solid base of knowledge and discipline to build upon. Looking forward to winter quarter, the Buckeye Battalion will Cadet Battalion Commander Daniel Shell observes training on the Autumn FTX at Stone s Farm. conduct training to improve leadership and soldiering skills further. To prepare for semesters and improve continuity, MSIV leadership positions will change halfway through Winter quarter on February 18 th instead of at the end of each quarter. The Buckeye Battalion will continue its course of Tradition, Honor, and Excellence into the future. Buckeyes Lead the Way! C/LTC Daniel Shell Cadet Battalion Commander
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3 Page 3 Remarks from Alpha Company Commander Nicknamed the Aces, Alpha Company sets the tempo in all training. From the MSIVs to the MSIIs, Alpha Company exemplifies leadership by example in all facets of the ROTC curriculum. Starting with physical training, Alpha Company has the highest average Army Physical Fitness Test score of all three companies. The same holds true for the MSIII class in particular, which is currently gearing up for the important summer training known as the Leadership Development and Assessment Course. Cadet Bierwirth, an MSIII in the company, spoke about how our rigorous PT has definitely made the company better as a whole. He also mentioned that the MSIII leadership is setting a strong standard for the MSIIs in the company. Recently, the Aces won the Company PT Competition, a head-tohead contest between all three companies. Aside from PT, Alpha Company has been conducting leadership labs to hone Cadets abilities in squad-level tactics. The MSIII class has been racing out of the gate in terms of enthusiasm for tactical skills, and there is no sign of this slowing down anytime soon. Cadet Seryak, an Alpha Company TAC, said: As an MSIV class, we set the bar high for the classes below us, but I am confident that the MSIII s in Alpha Company will be able to meet our high expectations. Members of Alpha Company are also doing big things within the battalion. Cadet Jake Young, an MSII member of the Aces, leads the Buckeye Community Action Committee. Alpha Company also contributed the majority of the Ranger Challenge team members, including Cadets Craig Morin, Robert Hord, Harold Shorter, and Marie Boone. The Ranger Challenge team placed second in the brigade, maintaining a proud tradition of bringing a trophy back to Ohio State. As it is still early in the year, Alpha Company s leadership understands that much work remains. We have pushed the Cadets hard thus far, but the training will only become more intense from here. With a strong desire for constant improvement, the senior leadership plans to sharpen the skills of the Aces by building team cohesion and confidence in their skills. Our training is good, and if our Cadets walk away from Alpha Company with confidence in their abilities and the skills to help their peers, they will be successful elsewhere. C/CPT Wes Gottke Alpha Company Commander Aces Company Commander Wes Gottke We have pushed the Cadets hard thus far, but the training will only become more intense from here. The Alpha Company Aces conduct squad movement during Leadership Lab.
Page 4 Bravo Company is training future officers. We keep this concept in mind every day while shaping the Army's future leaders. Whether training battle drills or improving physical fitness, we train for the Soldiers we will lead, who deserve the best. This is what sets the Buckeye Battalion as the standard for officer training and leadership. Bravo Company's goal is not to create the next General Patton, but to create confident, competent, and inspirational leaders who will accomplish the mission and uphold the Army Values. Currently, Bravo Company contains two Military Science classes, MSIIs and MSIIIs, students in their second and third year, respectively. Training comes from the top down, with the MSIV Cadets mentoring and assisting the MSIIIs, while the MSIIIs train the MSIIs. MSIIIs are preparing for their assessment this summer at the Leaders Development and Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, Washington; however, these Cadets are not being taught only for LDAC, but training to the Army standard for their eventual careers as officers. This important distinction carries weight in the company's end-state. MSIIs are improving Remarks from the Bravo Company Commander their basic Soldier skills, as well as honing their budding leadership qualities by serving as team leaders. Qualified cadre and MSIVs who have already graduated from LDAC supervise all training. This quarter, Bravo Company has completed several events, preparing Cadets to meet the contemporary operating environment. Training during weekly labs includes drill and ceremony, battle drills, and basic Soldier skills. Physical training is conducted three times a week, where the company can be seen exerting itself to the Company motto, Hurts to be this good! Bravo Company also completed Combat Water Survival Training, a fivestage test to train Cadets in the proper water survival techniques while carrying equipment and weapons. Additionally, Bravo Company has completed two separate Field Training Exercises. The first tested the MSIIIs at Stone's Farm on day and night land navigation skills. I can personally attest to the darkness, as the night course had zero illumination from the moon. MSIIs trained at Camp Sherman where they led their peers through complicated Field Leaders Reaction Courses; and conducted weapons familiarization with 9mm pistols and M16A2 rifles. The training this quarter has been intense and gratifying to these future officers. Winter quarter promises to be as fruitful as the first. In the beginning weeks, we will conduct preliminary rifle instruction on M16A2s, as well as range time at Converse hall. From there, MSIIIs will begin to teach classes on executing battle drills including squad attack, ambush, and recon. Halfway through the quarter, Cadet Fulford will assume company command. I know that I leave the company in good hands, and that he will train the Bravo Company Cadets to standard. Bravo Company trains future officers, a solid, immovable concept. The only real training for leadership is leadership. - Antony Jay C/CPT Kevin M. Dorgan Bravo Company Commander Bravo Company Wolfpack Commander Kevin Dorgan Whether training battle drills or improving physical fitness, we train for the soldiers we will lead, who deserve the best.
Page 5 Cadets in Action Cover story continued... ton: Kurt Sardiga, Kenny Miller, Daniel Shell, Matthew Ausderan, Wes Gottke, Kit Seryak, and Craig Morin. Next, receiving the Recondo award at LDAC were: Cadets Kurt Sardiga, Clay Yates, Todd Dawson, Daniel Shell, Kit Seryak, and Sean Fulford. Lastly, the following Cadets were selected Top 5 in their platoon: Cadets Theodore Sowder, Daniel Shell, Craig Morin, Wes Gottke, Kit Seryak, and Kenny Miller. Aside from LDAC, the the following Cadets completed Army schools: Airborne- Scott Bierwirth, Jay Dawson, Craig Dorgan, and Joseph Langley. Air Assault Jarren Thomas, Craig Morin, and Theodore Sowder. CTLT (Cadet Troop Lead Training) - Daniel Shell and Destiny Hayden. Also, Cadet Clay Yates completed CULP (Cultural Language Program) in Thailand, and Cadets Megan Matthews and Sarah Duwe completed CFT (Cadet Field Training) at the USMA at West Point. Demonstrating extraordinary physical fitness, the following participated in the annual Army 10-miler in Washington D.C.: Cadets Sarah Duwe, Megan Matthews, Michael McQueary, Craig Morin, Daniel Shell, Clay Yates, and SFC Stowe. Finally, the Buckeye Battalion congratulates the following Cadets who contracted this quarter: Cadets Sean Dummitt, Alexandrea Fistek, Jonathan More, Andrew Deavers, Samantha Lehmann, Craig Miller, Donald Phan, Matthew Patrlja, Michael McKinney, Marie Boone, and Scholl. These Cadets have all truly shown what it means to lead the way and represent THE Ohio State LTC Duncombe Awards the Scholar, Athlete, Leader scholarships to the Spring 2010 recipients. University Army ROTC program. Congratulations to all for an outstanding Summer and Autumn quarter! C/CPT Whipkey S-7, Editor
Page 6 Autumn Quarter In Pictures
Page 7 Ranger Challenge Ranger Challenge Team and Cadre from left to right standing: LTC Farrell J. Duncombe II, Craig Morin, Marie Boone, Harold Shorter, Kurt Sardiga, Daniel Shell, Joe Langley, Robert Hord, and MSG Brad Bonnell. Kneeling: Clayton Yates. On October 16, the Buckeye Battalion sent both a male and female team to Ft. Knox, Kentucky, to compete in the 7 th Brigade s Annual Ranger Challenge Competition. The male team, led by team captain Cadet Kurt Sardiga, consisted of eight male Cadets and one female Cadet, while the female team, led by third-year Cadet Sarah Duwe, consisted entirely of female Cadets, including three first-year Cadets. The competition, designed to mimic the Sandhurst competition held annually at West Point, consisted of different events scattered across several of the training areas at Ft. Knox. Each team was required to navigate from event to event through rugged, wooded terrain, while carrying rucksacks and rifles. The events consisted of basic rifle marksmanship, disassembly and reassembly of an M16 and M9, evacuating a casualty, one rope bridge, hand grenade assault course, obstacle course, and boat movement with an RB- 15 Zodiac Boat. Teams also completed the Iron Warrior Challenge, where Cadets had to work in teams in order to move water cans, truck tires, and a HMMVW across an open field as quickly as possible. Each event, as well as the movement between events, was timed, and the team with the lowest overall time won the competition. Both teams proudly represented the Buckeye Battalion. The male team placed second overall and placed first in both the one rope bridge and weapons disassembly and reassembly, preserving the Battalion s tradition of excellence. Cadet Command s Deputy Commander COL (P) Barrye L. Price with Dining-In Cadet OIC Fields and Cadet Houston. Dining-In The 11th annual Buckeye Battalion dining-in was held at the Fawcett Center on the Ohio State campus, Friday, December 3rd. All MSIII, MSIV Cadets, and Cadre attended. At the head table were: Battalion Commander, LTC Farrel J. Duncombe II; Cadet Battalion Commander, Daniel Shell; Senior Military Instructor, MSG Brad Bonnell; Cadet Sergeant Major Kenny Miller; and an honored guest of the Buckeye Battalion, COL (P) Barrye L. Price. COL Barrye L. Price is the Deputy Commanding Officer of the United States Army Cadet Command, and was also the guest speaker for the event. Colonel Price is a 1985 Distinguished Military Graduate of the University of Houston's College of Business Administration. He earned a Master of Arts Degree in History in 1994 from Texas A&M University. He also earned a Master of Science Degree in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University in 2004. The dining-in is a formal dinner function for members of a military organization or unit, adopted by the U.S. military during World Wars I & II. During winter quarter the Cadets take part in a similar event, the 102nd annual Military Ball.
Page 8 Buckeye Community Action Committee: Leadership in Service Greeting veterans as they return from their honor trip to Washington D.C. The Buckeye Community Action Committee (BCA), led by Cadets Jake Young and Lindsay Whitney, conducted a clothing drive this quarter to benefit the central Ohio community for the upcoming winter. Our goal is to give back to the community. The BCA plans to continue working with various animal shelters, assisting local school children, and volunteering at food banks. Last spring, the BCA volun- teered with the Honor Flight Network and greeted World War II veterans upon their return from Washington, DC. Each Cadet reflected on the humbling experience of meeting World War II veterans. Come next spring, watch for more opportunities to assist with the Honor Flight Network. New Cadets are always welcome to join and suggest new service ideas. Cadets of the Month Autumn quarter 2010 saw an outstanding display of leadership and camaraderie as eight Cadets were honored as the Buckeye Battalion s Cadets of the month for the months of October and November. These Cadets all displayed outstanding characteristics that made them stand out among their peers. A Cadet is chosen from each class by the battalion leadership by evaluating their contributions to the program and how they carry themselves. These Cadets have excelled in multiple areas including high GPAs, holding high APFT scores, actively participating in ROTC and community activities. October s Cadets of the month were: Michael Cox - MSI Marie Boone - MSII Dominic Howard- MSIII Destiny Hayden - MSIV November s Cadets of the month were: Katherine Cook - MSI Matthew Patrlja - MSII Jarren Thomas - MSIII Kit Seryak - MSIV Cadet C/LTC Kurt Sardiga The Winter quarter Cadet Battalion Commander. I look forward to taking command of the Buckeye Battalion for the latter half of the school year. Throughout my experience in ROTC, I have had the opportunities to compete in Ranger Challenge, attend Air Assault School, and LDAC. I am now fortunate enough to have the opportunity lead some of the best Cadets in the nation. With that said, the upcoming months should be both challenging and exciting for the Cadets of the Buckeye Battalion. Some of the notable upcoming events include the Annual Military Ball this winter, the Joint Field Training Exercise, and the Tri-Service Parade this spring. I look forward to leading the Buckeye Cadets throughout these events, as well as their day-to-day training. Next Quarter Winter quarter will hold new challenges for the Cadets of the Buckeye Battalion as they learn the battle drills that will be put into practice during Situational Training Exercise lanes in the spring and, for the MS IIIs, at LDAC in the summer. There will also be weapons familiarization training and a combat water survival test. In February the Cadets will be participating in the 102 nd Annual Military Ball.
Page 9 Notes from LTC Farrell J. Duncombe II Happy New Year Buckeye Battalion! The 2010 Autumn quarter was full of accomplishments and accolades for our Battalion. The following highlights provide an illustration of the significant activities and accomplishments achieved by our Cadets during the Summer and Autumn quarters: The Buckeye Battalion was recognized as having the highest average of officer production within the 7 th Brigade. Army ROTC Enrollment: The Buckeye Battalion reached an all time enrollment high with 181 Cadets filling the ranks of the battalion. Many thanks are extended to our ROO Team, SGM (R) Childs, the Cadets, Cadre and Staff for sharing the Buckeye Battalion story with the OSU Campus and inviting others to become a part of the Buckeye Battalion and the U.S. Army. Two teams successfully competed in the Bold Warrior (Ranger Challenge) competition. The Scarlet Team (Cadets: Sardiga (Team Captain), Boone, Hord, Langley, Morin, Shell, Shorter, Thomas, and Yates) and the Grey Team (Cadets: Duwe (Team Captain), Arko, Cook, Furey, Matthews, Mikulka, Owens, Ternasky, and Whitney). The Scarlet Team placed 2 nd out of fourty-three competing ROTC programs and was awarded the Weapons Streamer and the One-Rope Bridge Streamer. Our strong finishes showed the Buckeye Battalion s spirit of competition and commitment to excellence. Congratulations to Teams Scarlet and Grey! Selected Buckeye Battalion Cadets successfully completed the Army 10-Miler. Team Buckeye (Cadets: Duwe, Morin, McQueary, Matthews, Shell, Yates, and SFC Stowe) finished 29 th out of fifty (50) teams from around the United States and as always, our team represented the Buckeye Battalion in grand style. Congratulations Team Buckeye! Thirty-seven Cadets attended the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) at Fort Lewis, Washington. LDAC, also known as Operation Warrior Forge, is a rigorous and demanding four week capstone exercise that every Cadet must successfully complete prior to becoming a U.S. Army lieutenant. We had a 100% graduation rate with 19% of our Cadets receiving a rating of Excellent; 16% of the Buckeye Battalion Cadets were rated in the top 5% of their respective platoons and 16% received the Recondo Badge. To be awarded a Recondo Badge, Cadets must accomplish the following: execute all confidence training to the prescribed standard; score 270 or above on the Army Physical Fitness Test (with a minimum of 90 points in each event); achieve a minimum of 80% in each of the land navigation proficiency testing categories; receive satisfactory or higher ratings for all 17 Army Core Competencies and the Army Values. Outstanding work Cadre and MS-3s! Congratulations to the thirty-two Cadets who received their branch assignments. Seven Cadets were designated as Distinguished Military Graduates (DMGs): Cadets Ausderan, Dorgan, McQueary, Morin, Seryak, Shell and Yates. DMGs rank in the top 20% of Army ROTC Cadets nationwide and are selected on the basis of high scholarship, evidence of high moral character, military aptitude, and demonstrated leadership ability. Continues on page 10.
Page 10 Commissioning Seniors LTC Duncombe II addresses Cadets after completing a monthly Battalion Fun Run Class of 2011 Branch Assignments LEGEND: AG-Adjutant General; AR-Armor; AV-Aviation; EN- Engineer; FA-Field Artillery; IN-Infantry; MC-Medical Service; MI-Military Intelligence; SC-Signal; OD-Ordnance; TC- Transportation Last Name First Name M.I. Basic Branch Detailed Branch Army Component AUSDERAN MATTHEW A MI FA ACTIVE BAUER TIMOTHY P EN EN USAR BEIL IAN J IN IN ACTIVE BENEDICT CAMERON J EN EN ARNG BOYD NICHOLAS A MI MI USAR BROWN ASHLEY M AG AG ARNG BUCHHOLZ JACOB W IN IN ARNG BYLER NICOLE MI MI USAR CLEVENGER TODD M SC SC ARNG DAWSON TODD W IN IN ARNG DORGAN KEVIN M AR AR ARNG FIELDS ERIKA F AG AG ARNG FULFORD SEAN T SC IN ACTIVE GOTTKE WESLEY S MS MS USAR GREEN MICHAEL G EN EN ARNG HOUSTON JESSICA V MI FA ACTIVE KURTZ BRANDON A SC SC ARNG LAYTON TYLER L MI MI USAR MCADAMS BRAD J AV AV ACTIVE MCQUEARY MICHAEL A SC SC ARNG MILLER ROBERT K TC TC ACTIVE MORIN CRAIG A IN IN ACTIVE PERRY LAUREN A TC TC ARNG PHILLIPS RYAN K MC MC ACTIVE SERYAK CHRISTOPHER A IN IN ACTIVE SHELL DANIEL W IN IN ACTIVE SMITH GAVEN R AG AG ACTIVE SOWDER THEODORE J FA FA ARNG WHIPKEY DEREK D OD OD ACTIVE WHITE MATTHEW J MI AR ACTIVE WHITNEY LINDSAY K MI MI ACTIVE YATES CLAYTON W IN IN ACTIVE Seven Cadets successfully attended the Leaders Training Course (LTC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. LTC is an intense fourweek introduction to Army life and leadership training of ROTC; the aim of the course is to motivate and qualify Cadets for entry into the Senior ROTC program. All of our Cadets successfully graduated and three were selected for end of cycle training awards: Cadet Deavers-the recipient of the National Sojourner s Award; awarded for Americanism and military excellence in physical training and leadership. Cadet Walker-the recipient of the CoMtek Warrior Award; awarded for achieving the highest cumulative score on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), Land Navigation, and the Stress Shoot Event. Cadet Boone- the recipient of the Army Nurse Corps Award; awarded for achieving the highest ranking on the order of merit list and demonstrating immense levels of care and compassion for others. Congratulations to the Buckeye Battalion s 2010 Summer and Fall Commissioned Officers: 2LT Beatty, 2LT Cheng, 2LT Hackenmoeller, 2LT Obermeyer, 2LT Roberts, 2LT Weavodau 2LT Baldwin Great appreciation and thanks to everyone (Cadre, Staff, Cadets, Alumni, and Parents) for the dedication and commitment in ensuring that the OSU Army ROTC Buckeye Battalion is one of the best programs in Cadet Command! Go Bucks!
Department of Military Science & Leadership. Army ROTC at The Ohio State University 253 Converse Hall 2121 Tuttle Park Place Columbus, OH 43210-1169 Address Correction Requested Buckeyes Lead the Way!!!
way and represent THE Ohio State University Army ROTC program. Congratulations to all for an outstanding summer and Autumn quarter! BUCKEYES LEAD THE WAY! C/CPT Whipkey S-7, Editor