alumni - Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg State University/ROTC
Summer 2009
Cadets succeed at every MS level
Military Science I
SFC David Brock
The purpose of
Military Science
(MS I) is to
develop future
leaders of America.
This course covers the Army’s doctrine on tactics,
leadership, basic first-aid, and land navigation skills.
The lessons cover communication procedures,
adventure training such as rappelling and paintball,
and basic marksmanship. The events are designed to
increase the student’s self-confidence and enhance
team-building skills. Each student serves in a
leadership position at least twice during the semester.
Each student will also have the opportunity to
participate in Physical Training (PT), Water Survival
Training (CWST), and take part in a Field Training
Exercise (FTX) and Field Leadership Reaction Course
(FLRC).This MS I class is the largest since I arrived
to Pitt State in 2005. Eighteen cadets were awarded
scholarships, including Federal, National Guard,
Reserve and Nurse Scholarships. We are happy to have
a nursing candidate, Cadet Rachel Friedman, who is
an outstanding student and is a member of our Ranger
Challenge Team. The freshman class had five members
participate in Ranger Challenge this year, which placed
third overall in their division beating both KU and
KSU. Cadets Logan Allen, Eric Harden and Ethan
McLean scored a perfect 300 on their Army Physical
Fitness Test for the competition and freshman football
player Cadet Hal Rivard was another standout. This
was one of the most motivated classes that I have had
the opportunity to teach. They have a positive attitude
and are always willing to help the program, assisting
with color guard and stadium clean-ups. They have
pulled together as a team and family by helping each
other with academics and physical training. They are
raising the bar for the entire ROTC program. Next
year’s freshman class will have to hit the ground
running in order to exceed the standard set by this
class. I am sure they will make fine Army Officers and
leaders.
Military Science II
CPT George Johnson
It was an exciting
year for me as the
sophomore instructor.
As a first year instructor,
I have been fortunate
to have a varied and
talented group of
cadets. Most of them
were in the program
last year and had an
opportunity to apply what they learned in action.
This semester the MS IIs started acting as Team
Leaders during Squad Situation Training Exercises
and leading PT.The MS II year emphasizes briefing
and public speaking, with the cadets presenting an
informational briefing as well as giving Operations
Orders. This was their first opportunity to receive
a higher order, analyze it, write and finally brief
their own Operations Orders for a tactical mission.
These things will assist them next year as they go
to LDAC the summer between their junior and
senior years. Some of the cadets were afforded the
opportunity to attend special training this summer.
Cadet Nathan Ihrke is attending Air Assault School
for 10 days at Fort Campbell, KY. Cadets Jessica
Grazier, Joe Sarmiento and Victoria Robinson is
attending Airborne School for three weeks at Fort
Benning, GA. These cadets are excelling in their
military endeavors while performing in a wide
range of other fields. Cadet Grazier writes for
the school paper. Cadet Robinson works for the
yearbook. Cadet Brian Dean excels as shortstop for
the PSU Baseball team. Cadet Alexander Gerges
was the only sophomore to be invited to present
a paper at the yearly Missouri Valley History
Conference, and Cadet Erin Jones is a nursing cadet
who works at Sunset Manor Nursing Home. I know
this talented group of cadets will excel next year as
MS IIIs.
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