Yellow Jacket Battalion /index.htm Vol. 2 May 2013 Upcoming Events: Warrior Forge Leaders Training Course CULP Special Training In this Issue: Page Commanders Corner 1 Making Headlines 2,3 Desk of SMI 4 Specialty Schools 4 Newest Lieutenants in 5, 6 the Army Warrior Forges 7 Attendees Farewell 8 ~ Commander s Corner Spring is in the air, and changes abound for us all. As we draw closer to the end of the spring semester, I reflect on the haunting message written by William Penn, that rings true for so many of us, I shall not pass this way again. "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." William Penn In keeping with this theme, this ironic truth that we shall not pass this way again, the cadre, cadets, and alumni of the Yellow Jacket Battalion say farewell to several key members who have toiled feverishly to improve our organization and support our mission of producing quality officers for America s Army. Ms Brenda Camp will be leaving us after twenty two years of continuous support. She has done a superb job of maintaining contacts with our alumni, supporting the cadets and cadre, and fostering a strong and professional relationship between our Military Science Department and the university administration. We say farewell to both of our Armor (Cavalry) NCOs, as SSG Pates has received new assignment orders and will transition in early May, with duty in Eleanor, WV. SFC Steven Doolittle will return to Fort Riley, Kansas in the fall of 2013. Both have contributed tremendously towards the professional development of dozens of officers that have commissioned over the last five years. Within this newsletter are several personal messages from all who leave our formation, and I ask that you take time to read their inspirational script, to reflect on the meaning and continue to raise our standard of excellence within our program. Congratulations to this year s graduates, our Second Lieutenants are an exceptional contribution to the US Army. I am proud of the nine Juniors that will be attending camp (LDAC) at Fort Lewis Washington, and several have volunteered for three additional weeks of cadet troop leadership training (CTLT). Cadet Raines (GSC) will be traveling to Thailand as part of the Cultural Understanding and Language Program (CULP). Cadet Buchanan will represent our battalion at Airborne School in Fort Benning, Georgia. Cadet Shrewsbury will represent the Yellow Jackets attending Air Assault School at Camp Rilea, Oregon. US Army Cadet Command has offered national scholarships to three High School students that will join our battalion next year. This upcoming school year will boast the largest number of scholarships awarded at WVSU in many years, and we retain several campus based scholarships that are available to qualified students. Students, family, and friends interested in ROTC scholarships should contact Mr. Ramey (304) 766-3295. This has been a busy year for us all, filled with field training exercises, team building events, community service, lots of traveling and definitely ample levels of learning. Please exercise caution during the 100 days of summer (Memorial Day thru Labor Day). Over the past year, the members of our battalion have experienced four catastrophic auto accidents, without serious injury or loss of life. Speed can kill, and poor decisions can have lasting consequences. We can t control everything, but work hard to control the things we can, slow down and give yourself sufficient time to arrive alive. Have a wonderful summer vacation. Spend your days wisely with loved ones and family. Be proud of everything you ve done, and thank all those who have helped you to achieve your personal and professional goals. I m looking forward to seeing all of you and many new members in August 2013. Air Assault! 1
Yellow Jackets Led The Way ~Making the Headlines CDT Bloom Keeps spirits high during a 10K road march CDT Hott enjoys a Black Hawk ride to the Cluster FTX at Camp Dawson, WV GSC Yellow Jacket BN Cadets prepare to race at the Wild Warrior Challenge in Morgantown, WV Yellow Jacket BN Cadets crossing the Wild Warrior Challenge finish line. Cadets Burns and Hill prepare for Land Navigation at the Joint FTX with Marshall University Senior Cadets at the Dining Out hosted at Glenville State College Wild Warrior Challenge CDT Buchanan Wild Warrior Challenge 2013 Yellow Jacket Cadre CDT Nottingham 2 The Yellow Jacket BN
~Making Headlines Cont. Yellow Jackets Cadets from WVSU, UC and WVUIT participated in Community Service during the Spring 2013 semester at the VA Cemetery in Institute, WV improving the landscape by clearing approximately 150 meters of brush alongside a creek. Cadets performed 26 total hours of Community Service on 22 MAR 2013. West Virginia University State Group photo after a hard days work at the VA Cemetery CPT Judy, MSG Shank and CDT Buchannan pulling brush MSG Shank and CDT Smith Clearing Brush SFC Doolittle, CDT Cunningham, CDT Buchanan, MSG Shank Cadets from Glenville State College performed Community Service at Glenville Elementary School reading and tutoring elementary students. ROTC started this Community service project in March and ended in May 2013. CDT Himes helping a 2nd Grader with an assignment 3 CDT s Harrleben and Bolin assisting 2nd graders with Math and Reading at Glenville Elementary
Yellow Jackets Led The Way ~Desk of the SMI Yellow Jackets, it is an honor to continue to serve as the Senior Military Instructor here at this fine institution. I would like to start by congratulating our four newest 2LTs to the army and I know that they will accomplish any task that is set before them. Their selfless service to the nation and their subordinates will only continue to enhance the Army. We have a great group of Cadets going to LDAC this summer, one from WVSU and Tech, three from UC and five coming from GSU. I expect them all to do a fantastic job at camp and to continue to improve themselves as soon to be officers. LDAC will be going through some changes this year, the biggest one being the reintroduction of Basic Rifle Marksmanship and a squad live fire. As the NCOIC of this portion of LDAC, I will get chance to observe them all as they take one step closer to become leaders. I can assure you that the Cadre and Cadets represent the exceptional heritage of the Yellow Jacket Battalion and its Alumni with immense pleasure and dedication. I look forward to seeing all of you in the future. Specialty School Attendees CDT Ryan Buchanan will be attending Air Borne School at Fort Benning, GA CDT Jackson Shrewsbury will be attending Air Assault School at Camp Rilea, OR CDT Chevelle Raines will be attending Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency in Thailand ~ Remembering LTC (Ret) Acie McGhee LTC (Ret) Acie McGhee was born in Boothton, AL. He attended Tuskegee Institute and West Virginia State College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1954. Upon Commissioning as a Field Artillery 2LT, his first assignment was a 90 mm Platoon Leader. LTC (Ret) McGhee had tours of duty in Germany and Vietnam earning him the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm with many others. He Retired from Active Duty in 1976. LTC (Ret) McGhee then served as Senior Army Instructor at Parkland High School, Winston-Salem, NC. He is a life member and past president of the West Virginia State College National Alumni and the Kimball High School National Alumni. He is also a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. LTC (Ret) McGhee was inducted into the WVSU ROTC Hall of Fame in 1990. LTC (Ret) Acie McGhee 16 JUL 1929-24 OCT 2012 LTC (Ret) McGhee died on 24 OCT 12 and is survived by his wife and three children Cornell, Rena, Myron, six Grandchildren and his sister. 4
Yellow Jackets ~ Newest Lie ute nants is the U.S. Army 2LT Ashley Bish 2LT Bish served as the BN Commander during the Fall Semester and the BN CSM during Spring Semester. She has branched Ordinance and will serve in the West Virginia Army National Guard. Her first Unit will be 3664th Maintenance Company. 2LT Bish with LTC Taylor 2LT Nicole Himes 2LT Himes served as the BN S-1 and S-4 during the Fall Semester and the BN S-3 during Spring Semester. She has branched Adjutant General and will serve on Active Duty. Her first duty station will be Fort Jackson, SC. 2LT Himes with LTC Taylor 5
Yellow Jackets ~ Newest Lie ute nants is the U.S. Army Cont. 2LT Hannah Pilcher 2LT Pilcher served as the BN CSM during the Fall Semester and the BN CDR during Spring Semester. She has branched Quarter Master and will serve on Active Duty. Her first duty station will be Fort Lee, VA. 2LT Pilcher at the Dining Out 2LT John Smith 2LT Smith served as the BN S-3 during the Fall Semester and the BN S-1 and S-4 during Spring Semester. He has branched Infantry and will serve on Active Duty. His first duty station will be Fort Benning, GA. 2LT Smith posing with the Cannon 6
~2013 Warrior F orge A tte nde es Yellow Jackets The Summer hold a special challenge for these trained MS III s. The Cadre have the utmost confidence that you will all be able to perform to the highest standards and bring great credit upon yourselves and the Yellow Jacket Battalion. CDT Autumn Bloom CDT Samuel Colvin CDT Darin Cook CDT Kodie Halstead CDT Gregory Hott CDT Marc Jones CDT Catherine Nottingham CDT Eric Plummer CDT s Buchanan and Palmer CDT Rashawn Terwilinger CDT s Carr, Bloom and Nolte ~ 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 qualified and capable junior officers. We would like to welcome the following Cadets to the Yellow Jacket Family. CDT Jackson Shrewsbury WV State U, 2016 CDT Aaron Florence WV State U, 2016 CDT Ryan Buchanan WV State U, 2016 CDT Lachandra Palmer University of Charleston, 2014 CDT Autumn Bloom Glenville State College, 2015 CDT Clinton Carr Glenville State College, 2016 LTC Taylor contracting CDT s Florence and Shrewsbury CDT Vincent Nolte Glenville State College, 2016 7
~Farewell to Yellow Jacket Staff Yellow Jackets Mrs. Brenda Camp SFC Steven Doolittle Mrs Camp has been part of our Yellow Jacket Battalion for 22 years. She has touched the lives of Cadets, NCO s and Officers. She has played a crucial role with ROTC as a liaison to the University. She is retiring and moving to Texas with her daughter in May 2013. From all of us at the Yellow Jacket Battalion, we wish you nothing but the best and know you will be missed. I have enjoyed working with the ROTC Department for these years. I enjoyed interacting with the Hall of Fame members and the Alumni of this great program. Sincerely Brenda Camp SFC Doolittle came to the Yellow Jacket BN in 2010. He has served as the Training / Operations NCO and has been the primary instructor at West Virginia University Institute of Technology. SFC Doolittle s next assignment is at Fort Riley, KS. Through his 3 years here, he has developed and mentored numerous current and future Lieutenants, assisted in the development and training of Ranger Challenge Teams and has served at Leadership Training Course (LTC) and Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC). He has earned is Bachelor of Arts Degree from WVSU. SSG Pates has been a part of the Yellow Jacket Battalion since 2008. He has served as the Recruiting Operations NCO and currently the primary instructor/recruiter for the University of Charleston. SSG Pates has recently accepted a new position as Active Guard Reserve (AGR) with the 1/150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron and will be serving as Bravo Company s Readiness NCO in Eleanor, WV. SSG Pates earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology while at WVSU. SSG Bernard Pates 8
/index.htm rotcmail@wvstateu.edu The Yellow Jacket Battalion Mr. Gordon Ramey CPT Jonathan Judy MAJ Charles Beirne Mr. Gordon Ramey 304-766-3295 304-777-6585 304-462-6287 304-766-3295 gramey@wvstateu.edu jjudy1@wvstateu.edu charles.beirne@glenville.edu gramey@wvstateu.edu 9