Portland Detachment Newsletter Inside This Issue Freshman/ROTC experience Through Determination and Hardwork CALDEX EOU links up with RSP recruits Dining Out 2016 Q&A with a Senior Cadet September 2014 Volume I, Issue 1II UP PSU EOU Newsletter April 2016 Freshman & ROTC experience at UP By: Cadet Jacob Wolwowicz My first few weeks of college were stressful. I did not adjust well to the new atmosphere because most of my high school classes didn t prepare me for the college work load. Early in my college career I searched for companionship and fellowship. After a visit to the club fair in the fall 2015 semester I found invaluable information about Army ROTC. A few cadets already in the program informed me about the opportunities the Army ROTC program had to offer. Honestly, at the time I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Within no time I was learning drill and ceremony, squad tactics, and Army first aid. At the same time I gained a lot of new friends in ROTC, which ultimately facilitated my pervasive character. In the introductory military science and leadership course my class discussed topics such as time management and the Army values. Such topics helped assist me in my regular college classes. I truly believe that the presence of AROTC in my daily life helped me to be successful during my first semester. The derivative involvement and experience I encountered in ROTC definitely left a positive mark on my freshman year. Living this lifestyle has driven me to become my best and I can surely say I am proud of what I have done and of who I am today.
Through Determination and Hard-work By: Cadet Ivy Yamaguchi I first decided to join ROTC because of my friend Alexys Bermudez. I had never in my life seriously considered joining the Army because I simply didn t know anything about it. I have a few family members who have served, but I don t come from a military family, and my high school didn t have a JROTC program. Seeing Alexys in her uniform and hearing her talk about PT and labs piqued my interest. I was encouraged to look into the program further when I learned more about her experience, and by the summer I decided that ROTC was something I wanted to be a part of. During the first week of my sophomore year, I went to talk to recruiting operations officer Mr. Romero. He enrolled me in my MSI classes by the end of our meeting. My fall semester was very overwhelming at first because in addition to joining ROTC, I had also made the decision to switch to civil engineering. Although the term was tough, I grew so much in such a short period of time. My life had little direction before I joined ROTC, but being a part of this program forced me to think more critically about my future and the kind of person I wanted to become. Despite the fact that I was a non-contracted cadet who was participating in the program, it was important for me to show that I was deserving of a scholarship and could contribute to the program. I did this by volunteering for events such as the Portland Marathon, the Shamrock Run, and the ROTC Dodgeball Tournament. I also showed an interest in the Color Guard Team by attending one of the events. In addition, I focused on improving my APFT scores and was able to increase my score greatly from my first APFT. I was overcome with emotion when I found out that I was awarded a scholarship. All I could think about was how much I knew this would mean to my family and for my future. Once I left the bunker, I called my parents to tell them the incredible news. Joining the Army ROTC has been one of the best decisions I ve ever made, and I m already a better person because of it. The program provides its cadets with so many amazing opportunities, and I m excited for the next step in my journey: CIET. 2
CALDEX By: Cadet Ari Bowman The senior class of Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets, college students training to become Army officers, from universities across Oregon and Washington came together on the 20th of February to spend a day, learning from the wisdom and experience of a diverse group of experienced military officers. Leaders from the Army, Navy, and Air Force gathered to share their wisdom and experiences with the assembly of future officers. The event, hosted at Oregon State University, drew cadets from a total of eight colleges and universities, as well as officers from across the Pacific Northwest, including the commander of the Portland district Army Corps of Engineers, and a brigade commander from the Oregon Army National Guard. Cadets were given the opportunity to ask questions and learn from the panel of veteran military leaders in a forum style setting. The event was broken up into a series of hour-long forums, during which the panel shared lessons and insight about leadership, military life, and career planning with the audience of cadets. The Army ROTC is a training program at colleges throughout the country that prepares student cadets for careers as officers and leaders in the US Army upon graduation. Many cadets receive full scholarships from the Army, and all receive valuable leadership experience and guaranteed employment with the active Army or National Guard/Reserves upon graduation. This event was likely the largest of its kind to have taken place in the state of Oregon. Cadets came from colleges across the state and across state lines, including Portland State University, University of Portland, Oregon State University, University of Oregon, Lewis and Clark College, Eastern Oregon University, Southern Oregon University, and Washington State University-Vancouver. 3
Eastern Oregon University Links Up with Local RSP By: Cadet Stacy Duman Due to inclement weather, the Mountaineers conducted an alternate Leadership Development Exercise (LDX) in La Grande, OR with the help of the 3-116th Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP). This unexpected change proved to be helpful for the cadets who have limited leadership experience. On day one, 5 February 2016 the MS II year group led the RSP in physical readiness training (PRT) and developed a strong leadership presence. This was extremely important for the MS I and MS II cadets to develop their leadership experience and confidence. Then cadets were tasked to teach first aid classes and provide information about Eastern Oregon University and the ROTC program. These classes proved fruitful in the recruiting and retention realm as several of the ROTC cadets were approached at the conclusion of the classes by RSP recruits wanting more information on EOU s ROTC program. Along with classes and PRT, the EOU ROTC cadets also facilitated Virtual Battle Space (VBS) training. This was a hands-on learning experience for both cadets and for the recruits. On day two, 6 February 2016 we conducted two STX lanes for the MS III cadets. MS III Cadet Booher was able to further develop his leadership skills while patrolling. We ran both STX lanes back to back enforcing the knowledge that Cadet Booher learned in his prior mission. This helped cadets learn the steps a Platoon Leader must go through during patrol lanes. This alternate LDX allowed EOU ROTC cadets to learn to be flexible and adapt to an ever changing environment. Overall, the alternate LDX taught every year group valuable lessons of logistics, accountability, operations, and leadership duties. 4
(Top Left): CDT Mayo tries VBS. (Top Right): EOU ROTC Cadets pose for a group photo. (Bottom left): EOU ROTC Cadets lead RSP recruits in PRT. (Bottom right): The cadets conducted a ruck march to the armory to start their day. (Bottom left): EOU cadets get a lesson on TLPs by CPT De Anda (Bottom right): CDT Booher sets up his TMK to give his SQD leaders a CONOP of his mission. 5
Dining Out 2016 By: Cadet Brooke Stark On April 1, the Army ROTC program hosted their annual Dining Out at the Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel. Traditionally this event commemorates the 2015-2016 academic year full of success by recognizing outstanding cadets and graduating seniors. Additionally, it is also time to bring cadets and their support systems, family, friends and significant others, together for a night of formal military tradition. This year was a bit more special as it occurred on the 20th Anniversary of the University of Portland as a host for the Army ROTC program and furthermore marked the 100th Anniversary of Army ROTC nationwide. The event began with a saber arch entrance by the seniors, highlighting the graduating cadets who have committed their college years to ROTC and are preparing to enter the Army in just a few short weeks. The night continued with a dinner, extensive awards ceremony, remarks from a distinguish guest speaker, cake cutting ceremonies and ended by placing the second lieutenant shoulder boards on each senior to signify their assessed Army branch, including the Nurse Corps, Engineering, Infantry and others. This year we had the privilege of hearing from the University of Portland s Provost, Dr. Thomas Greene. He eloquently acknowledged the work ethic, character and commitment made by each ROTC cadet. Overall, the evening was a great time to come together and appreciate the opportunity that each cadet has taken to serve their nation! 6
Q & A from a Senior Cadet By: Lizeth Zendejas Q: Now that you're graduating, how has your experience being in ROTC influenced you and your college career? A: Being in ROTC made my college career more challenging as well as rewarding. ROTC helped me in becoming more self aware and more confident in any decision I make. Q: What are some important things that you learned in ROTC that you will take with you as you become a new 2nd Lieutenant? A: I learned how to be more flexible and adaptable in any given situation. I also learned that a leader is not only made by giving a title, a leader is made by the actions they take and their ability to make a change in peoples' lives and develop those around you to help them make a change in other peoples' lives. I will continue to have all this in my mind when I become a new 2nd Lieutenant and it will continue to follow me throughout my entire military career. Q: What advice would you give to current and new incoming cadets that you wish you would have been told during your time with ROTC? A: I would to them, take the ROTC program seriously and not as a joke. Each year you will have more and more cadets looking up to you and it is your responsibility to help develop those cadets into future leaders in the United States Army. Never give up on yourself and keep your head up when things get tough. 7
Fall 2016 Pilot Detachment Staff Positions Cadet Battalion Commander: CDT Pieplow (UP) Cadet Battalion Executive Officer: CDT Peralta (UP) Cadet Battalion Command Sergeant Major: CDT Petit (PSU) Cadet Battalion Administration Officer (S-1): Cadet Bean (UP) Assistant Cadet S-1: CDT Reynolds (PSU) Cadet Battalion Intelligence and Security Officer (S-2): CDT Melians (PSU) Cadet Battalion Operations Officer (S-3): CDT Klein (UP) Assistant Cadet S-3: CDT Adams (PSU), CDT Beauchamp (L&C), CDT Peterson (UP) Cadet Battalion Supply Officer (S-4): CDT Simms (UP) Cadet Battalion Public Affairs Officer (S-5): CDT Eberl (UP) Assistant Cadet S-5: CDT Slingluff (PSU) Cadet Battalion Signal Officer (S-6): CDT Bierek (UP) Assistant Cadet S-6: CDT Samuel (PSU) PSU Cadet Officer In Charge: CDT Rackovan (PSU) PSU Cadet Battalion Sergeant Major: CDT O Connor (PSU) EOU Cadet Officer In Charge: CDT Newkirk (EOU) EOU Cadet Sergeant Major: CDT Booher (EOU) 8