Upcoming Events: Vol. 5 December 2014 CWST Cluster LDX (APR) Dining out @ WVSU (APR) Commissioning (MAY) In this Issue: Page Commander s Corner 1 Making Headlines 2,3 Desk of the SMI 4 New Cadet 4 Ranger Challenge 5 Hall of Fame 6,7 Newest Lieutenants 8 Hail and Farewell 9 Army Reserve Officers Training Corps ~ Commander s Corner Yellow Jacket Battalion First I would like to say THANK YOU to all the Cadre, Staff, Cadets, Institution Administrators, faculty, and alumni for your warm welcome to West Virginia and the Yellow Jacket Battalion. My first semester as the Professor of Military Science/ Department Chair has been all I expected and then some. Just in my first semester I have experienced several highs which include awarding scholarships and room waivers that could make a positive difference in a student s college career to the low of having to notify cadets of disqualification. Of course our ultimate high was the commissioning of Second Lieutenants Gregory Hott and Rashawn Terwilinger at the West Virginia State Capitol on 12 December 2014. The significance of the Yellow Jacket Battalion was made even clearer on 13 December 2014 during the WVSU Commencement where I was afforded the opportunity to administer the oath of office to 2LT Terwilinger. I got goose bumps as the audience expressed the value in what we do with a thunderous applause for 2LT Terwilinger as he came to the stage to have his gold bars pinned by his mother and brother. I want to have more moments like that during my tenure here with the Yellow Jacket Battalion. My goal is, with everyone s help, to attract scholar, athlete, leaders (SAL) and grow them into the leaders the Army and our nation needs in the future. All of us can contribute to this effort by encouraging qualified high school students and underclassmen in your individual spheres of influence (community, church, social affiliations) to look at ROTC as a FIRST choice as a foundation for their future. I continue to get my arms wrapped around all of the details of this adventure but what I enjoy most is the interaction I am able to have with Cadets and the opportunity I have to grow them not only as future Army leaders but as human beings, too. The staff and I take a personal charge to grow the young people that are a part of the Yellow Jacket Battalion. They are/will be treated like I would want my son or daughter to be treated. To the Cadets, this is just the beginning as we look ahead to an event filled Spring 2015 semester which is highlighted with a Leader Development Exercise (LDX) and Dining Out in April and commissioning in May. On top of all the ROTC activities let s not forget the importance of attending and doing well in ALL classes. I look forward to our continued success in the growth of the Yellow Jacket Battalion and the commissioning of quality second lieutenants. 1
Yellow Jackets Led The Way ~Making the Headlines Institute, WV 25112-0489 CDT Buchanan performing the Sit-Up Event CDTs McKinney and Salsbury prepare for Land Nav. CDT Tully finds his first point CDTs Jenkins and Burns enjoying the LDX CDT Myers conducting Day Land Nav. A much needed break for CDTs Robinson and Capers CDTs negotiate a One-Rope Bridge Obstacle CDTs support GSC by firing the ceremonial 75mm Howitzer during a home football game 2
~Making Headlines Cont. Yellow Jackets Yellow Jacket BN Cadets Visit the Glenville Boy Scout Troop The Cadets of the Glenville State College performed community service during the Fall 2014 semester with the local Boy Scout Troop in Glenville, WV. Together, ROTC Cadets and members of the Boy Scout Troop performed Color Guard during the Glenville State College s Homecoming parade. Mr. & Ms. ROTC CDTs Robinson and McCoy WVSU Cadets and Cadre participated in a commercial shoot during the Fall 2014 Semester. Look for the commercial on local networks around January or February 2015. Homecoming Parade ~ Follow us on Facebook Want to keep up to date with the Yellow Jackets? The Yellow Jacket Battalion Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/yellowjacketbattalion Homecoming Parade 3
Yellow Jackets Institute, WV 25112-0489 Zodiac Boat Challenge ~Desk of the SMI On behalf of the entire Yellow Jacket Team, I would like to thank you again for your unwavering support. The Cadets continue to impress us each and every day and have accomplished much in the past six months. Of note, we had two Cadets graduate from this fine program and are now the newest commissioned officers in the United States Army. Congratulations to them both on their hard work. With respect to the Cadre, we continue to be blessed with a talented, diverse, and experienced team of professionals dedicated to producing trained, adaptable leaders of character committed to service to this great nation. We are extremely grateful to welcome LTC Spears as our new Professor of Military Science. We are honored to have him as part of the team. The Yellow Jacket BN is looking forward to the upcoming semesters as we continue to strive to develop these exceptional young men and women to be the leaders of our Army of the future. ~ Welcome New Cadet Tire Flip To meet the challenges that await this new Cadet, Cadre pledge to provide the best possible instruction and realistic training while offering one-onone interaction. As new members of the Yellow Jacket BN, it is your duty to attend all training activities. With the combined efforts of Cadre and Senior Cadets we are confident that the Yellow Jacket BN will continue to produce the best qualified and capable company grade Officers. We would like to welcome the following Cadet to the Yellow Jacket Family: CDT Franklin Myers CDT Franklin Myers University of Charleston, Class of 2017 4
~2014 Ranger Challenge Yellow Jackets WVSU competed in a rigorous two day Ranger Challenge competition at Fort Pickett, VA. Thirty-eight schools from all of the Mid-Atlantic and South-East were present and ready to take on the myriad of events that awaited them. The eleven-cadet Ranger Challenge team consisted of nine Cadets from WVSU, one from GSC and one from WVUIT. CDT Ryan Buchanan CDT Malcom Capers CDT James Hubbard CDT Christopher Taylor CDT Veronica Pettit CDT Derrick McKinney CDT Vincent Bird CDT Ashley Burns CDT Nyheem Robinson CDT Chelsea McCoy CDT Marshall Tully Ranger Challenge is 's varsity sport, with competitors earning a Ranger Challenge Tab and service ribbon upon successful completion. The competition focuses on the basic infantry skills, with Squad-sized teams competing against other schools in rifle marksmanship, constructing a rope-bridge, patrolling, disassembly and reassembly of the M16A2 Rifle, the Army Physical Fitness Test, and multiple timed road marches. High Crawl Litter Carry 2014 Yellow Jacket Battalion Ranger Challenge Team Burpee exercise The Finish Line Dead Lift A Short Break 5
Yellow Jackets ~ Hall o f F ame Commissioner (Retired) Anthony Conyers, Jr. Commissioner Conyers is a native of Williamsburg, Virginia. He attended West Virginia State College, Institute, West Virginia where he graduated in May, 1969 with a BA in Political Science with minors in Philosophy and Military Science. While at WVSC, Conyers was an advanced ROTC cadet who served as a Battalion Executive Officer and was inducted into the National Honor Society of the Scabbard and Blade. Anthony Conyers retired in 2010, after having served more than 35 years in local and state government. He lives in Williamsburg with his wife, Cressondra B. Conyers, a district court judge. They have three adult children and two grandchildren. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and serves as a Deacon at New Zion Baptist Church in Williamsburg. Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Haywood Holder Lieutenant Colonel Holder is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a 1964 graduate of. He graduated with A Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education with teaching fields in biology and social studies. He holds a Master s degree in secondary education from Boston University and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University. Lieutenant Colonel Holder is married to his beloved wife Shirley and they have three children, and four grandchildren. They reside in Hampton, Virginia. Dr. Hemphill and Commissioner Conyers Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Kenneth Rainelle Mosley Lieutenant Colonel Mosley is a native of Dunbar, West Virginia. He is 1968 graduate of where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and Minors in Mathematics and Military Science. Kenneth Mosley is a Deacon and Chairman of the Trustee Board at Ferguson Memorial Baptist Church, Dunbar, West Virginia. Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth R. Mosley resides in Institute, WV. He has two daughters (both Lawyers), one granddaughter and one grandson. Dr. Hemphill and LTC (Ret) Holder Captain Robert Lee Smith Captain Robert Lee Smith received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications in 1990 at. He is a 1991 graduate of U. S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate School, and assessed into the Coast Guard via the Minority Officer Recruiting Effort. He earned a Masters of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, a Masters of Science in Instruction & Performance Technology, and is All-But-Dissertation in pursuit of a Ph.D. in Psychology. Captain Smith is a 2013 Boys and Girls Club of America Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee. He and his wife reside in Fredericksburg, VA with their three children. Dr. Hemphill and LTC (Ret) Mosley 6
Yellow Jackets ~Honorary Hall of F ame Major (Retired) Richard Neece Ojeda, II Major Ojeda was born on 25 September, 1970 in Rochester, Minnesota to Richard Sr. and Florena Ojeda. He was raised in Logan County West Virginia and graduated from Logan High School in 1988. Major Ojeda enlisted on DEC 28, 1989 and attended Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri as a Bridge Crew member. Following initial training, he was assigned to the 130th Engineer Brigade in Hanau, Germany as a member of the 814th Engineer Company. His next enlisted assignment would be at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with the 264th Engineer Company, the only Airborne Bridge Unit in the world. Major Ojeda has attended numerous courses over his 24 years of military. Major Ojeda currently teaches a leadership course for Chapmanville and Logan High Schools meant to help students to become better citizens and continue on a path towards graduation and hopefully college and recently ran for Congress for the 3rd Congressional District of West Virginia. Major Ojeda is married to the former Kelly Ann Wismer of Logan, West Virginia and they have two children. Richard III (17) and Kayla Lavon (14). Tuskegee Airmen Full biographies can be found at WVSU Hall of Fame Dr. Hemphill and CAPT. Smith Mrs. Rose Agnes Cousins Captain Mac Ross Staff Sergeant Henry L. Moore Wylie Cool PaPa W. Selden, Jr. Dr. Hemphill and MAJ (Ret) Ojeda The 2014 Hall of Fame Inductees with Dr. Hemphill and LTC Spears 7
~Newes t Lieu tenants in the U.S. Army Yellow Jackets 2LT Gregory E. Hott 2LT Hott was commissioned on 12 December 2014 at the West Virginia State Capitol. His Second Lieutenant Rank was pinned on by his father, Bradley Hott. 2LT Hott is commissioned in the West Virginia National Guard as an Armor Officer. He will attend the Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Benning, Georgia with follow on duty in Bravo Troop 1/150th Armor Reconnaissance Squadron in West Virginia. Institute, WV 25112-0489 2LT Rashawn R. Terwilinger 2LT Terwilinger was commissioned on 12 December 2014 at the West Virginia State Capitol. His Second Lieutenant Rank was pinned on by his mother, Robin Terwilinger, and brother, Justin Terwilinger. 2LT Terwilinger is commissioned in the West Virginia National Guard as a Military Police Officer. He will attend the Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri with follow on duty in the 863rd Military Police Company in West Virginia. 2LTs Hott and Terwilinger with COL Henry 8
~Hail Yellow Jackets Institute, WV 25112-0489 SSG Brewer is a native of New York. He is a 2011 graduate from Colorado Technical University where he earned an Associates of Science in General Studies. His military education consists of the U.S. Army Airborne School, Air-Assault School, Mountain Warfare, NBC Defense, Recruiting and Retention, Drill Sergeant School, Instructor training, Basic Non-commissioned Officer and Primary Leadership Development Courses. SSG Brewer has had duty assignments with 2nd BN, 502nd Infantry, 2nd BN, 87th Infantry where he deployed to Afghanistan from 2003-2004 and again from 2006-2008. SSG Brewer served as a Drill Sergeant with 2nd BN SSG James Brewer 387th Training Regiment with the U.S. Army Reserve. He is currently an active duty member with the West Virginia National Guard and will be serving as the Military Science Instructor at Glenville State College. ~Farewell SFC Daniel Webb SFC Daniel Webb will be leaving GSC and the Army soon to pursue a new career as a Land Manager with EQT. He has served diligently with the Yellow Jacket Battalion from 2010 to present and will be missed by all Cadre and Cadets. Please join the Yellow Jacket Battalion in thanking him for his service to Army ROTC and in wishing him well in his future endeavors. Over his 30 year career, SFC Webb distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of positions of great importance and responsibility to the Army and the Nation, culminating as the Military Science Instructor for the ROTC detachment at Glenville State College, WVSU. SFC Webb played a key role in the re-initiation of the ROTC program at Glenville State College as a member of the Yellow Jacket Battalion from August 2010 to January 2015. Want to keep up to date with the Yellow Jackets? LIKE US The Yellow Jacket Battalion Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/yellowjacketbattalion 9
www.facebook.com/ yellowjacketbattalion Institute, WV 25112-0489 /index.htm rotcmail@wvstateu.edu WVSU Video Check out our new video. It can be found on our facebook page or on youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad1lclcx8mk The Yellow Jacket Battalion Mr. William Kinsey Mr. William Kinsey MAJ Charles Beirne Mr. William Kinsey 304-766-3295 304-766-3295 304-462-6287 304-766-3295 wkinsey@wvstateu.edu wkinsey@wvstateu.edu charles.beirne@glenville.ed wkinsey@wvstateu.edu 10