The Virginia Informer
The Virginia Informer
Seniors in ROTC still marching on after summer of intense training
By Kim Werner, a senior ROTC cadet at W&M
The narrow nature of words leaves much to be desired in trying to convey extreme experiences. Such sensations are forgotten in the mundane cyclic timetable of life, and for those who have never experienced it, description draws only a blank. Pushing to personal limits, enduring challenge and trials, physically, mentally and emotionally buff the character and are a necessary feature of development for any soldier. No progression eventuates without discomfort and therefore plays in the favor of the resilient. Strength is borne to increased resistance and repetition. Though conflict is despised whilst in its midst, in reflection, the contributions to character are clear, the runner’s high at hand. This summer, at the Leadership Development and Assessment Course, the ROTC cadets of the Revolutionary Guard Battalion faced many tests, felt these sensations, and return having well-represented our alma mater.
At LDAC each of this year’s ROTC seniors met the requirements put forth by Cadet Command at the training event that evaluates the culmination of all Army training in the years previous. All ROTC courses and exercises are geared in preparation for this test of leadership ability and basic Army skills; training is held among William and Mary and Christopher Newport University cadets. Most importantly, the cadets are demanded to make difficult decisions in arduous circumstances, thinking quickly and executing plans through motivation to mission success. It is expected that they excel in established standards in physical fitness, weapons training, communication, combat patrols and demonstrate their proficiency in many other military skills to continue on to become an officer upon graduation from college. Ultimately, it is a test of intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and stamina. All ROTC cadets as well as National Guard Officer Candidates nationwide must attend this 32-day training in Ft. Lewis, Washington to earn their commission into the Army.
Not only did last year’s junior ROTC cadets achieve the Army standards, but they outshone among the other universities represented and collectively performed superior to previous cadets, bringing back numerous awards and decorations from their honorable performance. The cadets in the program have learned through the program experience that the reward for challenge and difficulty is an exhilaration and pride only accessible though overcoming hardship. The ribbons awarded before a crowd in recognition of the sweat of physical exertion, or the applause that surround puffed chests of the soldiers as they march in from 13 days in the field with heavy rucksack and M16 at hand, days of grueling training behind them: these the are sensations that mark life. The individual must personally decide whether to seek and fully savour life’s sensations, or to go through the motions of life’s sequence; whether to merely applaud these soldiers, or to join them.
The William and Mary seniors are: Michael E. Falk, Thomas C. Flounders, Mattew E. Gibbons, James W. Lucas, Jason R. Macri, Jeffrey N. Marx, Linwood R. Nelson, Alexander J. Racicot, Alana R. Seifts and Kimberly A. Werner.
The Christopher Newport seniors are: Robert M. Antis, Kevin A. Dean, Andrew P. Kley and William V. Miller, III.
If you are interested in Army ROTC at W&M, please contact Captain Matthew Lutz at malutz@wm.edu or call (757) 221-3611.
Want to write features for The Virginia Informer? E-mail vainfo@wm.edu for details!
The narrow nature of words leaves much to be desired in trying to convey extreme experiences. Such sensations are forgotten in the mundane cyclic timetable of life, and for those who have never experienced it, description draws only a blank. Pushing to personal limits, enduring challenge and trials, physically, mentally and emotionally buff the character and are a necessary feature of development for any soldier. No progression eventuates without discomfort and therefore plays in the favor of the resilient. Strength is borne to increased resistance and repetition. Though conflict is despised whilst in its midst, in reflection, the contributions to character are clear, the runner’s high at hand. This summer, at the Leadership Development and Assessment Course, the ROTC cadets of the Revolutionary Guard Battalion faced many tests, felt these sensations, and return having well-represented our alma mater.
At LDAC each of this year’s ROTC seniors met the requirements put forth by Cadet Command at the training event that evaluates the culmination of all Army training in the years previous. All ROTC courses and exercises are geared in preparation for this test of leadership ability and basic Army skills; training is held among William and Mary and Christopher Newport University cadets. Most importantly, the cadets are demanded to make difficult decisions in arduous circumstances, thinking quickly and executing plans through motivation to mission success. It is expected that they excel in established standards in physical fitness, weapons training, communication, combat patrols and demonstrate their proficiency in many other military skills to continue on to become an officer upon graduation from college. Ultimately, it is a test of intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and stamina. All ROTC cadets as well as National Guard Officer Candidates nationwide must attend this 32-day training in Ft. Lewis, Washington to earn their commission into the Army.
Not only did last year’s junior ROTC cadets achieve the Army standards, but they outshone among the other universities represented and collectively performed superior to previous cadets, bringing back numerous awards and decorations from their honorable performance. The cadets in the program have learned through the program experience that the reward for challenge and difficulty is an exhilaration and pride only accessible though overcoming hardship. The ribbons awarded before a crowd in recognition of the sweat of physical exertion, or the applause that surround puffed chests of the soldiers as they march in from 13 days in the field with heavy rucksack and M16 at hand, days of grueling training behind them: these the are sensations that mark life. The individual must personally decide whether to seek and fully savour life’s sensations, or to go through the motions of life’s sequence; whether to merely applaud these soldiers, or to join them.
The William and Mary seniors are: Michael E. Falk, Thomas C. Flounders, Mattew E. Gibbons, James W. Lucas, Jason R. Macri, Jeffrey N. Marx, Linwood R. Nelson, Alexander J. Racicot, Alana R. Seifts and Kimberly A. Werner.
The Christopher Newport seniors are: Robert M. Antis, Kevin A. Dean, Andrew P. Kley and William V. Miller, III.
If you are interested in Army ROTC at W&M, please contact Captain Matthew Lutz at malutz@wm.edu or call (757) 221-3611.
Want to write features for The Virginia Informer? E-mail vainfo@wm.edu for details!
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