NEW RIVER VALLEY BATTALION NEWSLETTER |
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by V.T. Army Mrs. Kay Griggs on How the Government Works
Spring 2007
ARMY STRONG
New River Valley Battalion Newsletter Inside this issue:
Dining In Battalion PT Goals
LDAC Recondo Standards
Army Dining In On February 1st, 2007, The New River Battalion held a Dining In Ceremony at Owens Banquet hall. It was a new experience for the MS1 cadets, and a fun one at that. The traditions and protocol of the Dining In were all new to us, but SGM Ferrone did his best to prepare us for what was to come. It was an amusing night filled with Army tradition, laughter, and the grog!
The Dining In is a tradition that is associated with the
British Army's regimental mess. The purpose of the formal dinner was to
build bonds between the units and to have a good time. Some of the
traditions were skits to provide entertainment, a formal dinner, and the
grog bowl. We included all of these elements at our Dining In. The skits
were very entertaining and did not spare any member of the cadre staff.
The dinner was good, but took a long time to eat with all of the points
of order. Mr. Vice, Cadet Akrami, was in charge of determining who got
sent to the grog but could be All in all it was a very fun night. We had many laughs and even got to know some of our fellow cadets at the Radford ROTC program. The tradition is one that will carry on through the years and it adds something new to the army experience for all of us. by Cadet Kathleen Bain
Cadet Middleton and Cadet DiCicco drinking the Grog New Battalion Organization This year, the New River Battalion has adopted a new training strategy. Unlike years past, where training platoons have been split apart based upon MS class, this year the MS II's and III's have been combined into two platoons of mixed classes.
Previously, many MS II Cadets looked upon their second year in the AROTC program as a waste of time, compared to the breakneck pace of training underwent by the LDAC bound MS III's. Following the same reasoning the MS III Cadets often felt as if the sudden acceleration of training was unnecessary, given the slow pace of training during the previous year. The goal of the new training organization is to allow MSII Cadets to begin developing their soldiering skills while the MS III's begin serving in a variety of leadership positions. This allows for MS II and MS III Cadets to develop their class specific goals. MS II Cadets develop tactical skills earlier while MS III Cadets refine these skills while developing their leadership and mentoring skills. However, the new system initially encountered difficulties. Due to the separate PT goals the MS I, II and III classes continue forming up by class for morning PT. This has forced both Cadets and cadre to interact simultaneously with two chains of command, and two separate accountability rosters. At the beginning of the semester both the cadre and MS IV Cadets had to overcome a great deal of miscommunication and confusion, however this has largely subsided. Overall, the new training structure, while strained in its first semester of adoption, has helped prepare Cadets substantially more for LDAC and BOLC II. If the training structure performs as planned, current MS II Cadets should be performing far better than prior MS III classes. While not all problems have been corrected, the re-organization looks extremely promising. by Cadet Darren Zega
New River Valley Battalion CSM Birch Addresses Battallion "There's not doubt about it gentlemen, no matter what your branch is, no matter what kind of unit you are in, sooner or later you're all going to Iraq, and you'll all see combat," Command Sergeant Major Birch told Cadet Orlino and myself We had just introduced ourselves and proffered our branches "Take care of your Soldiers, and they'll take care of you, no matter how green you might be," he reassured us.
For the duration of his evening with us at the annual
Dining In, Command Sergeant Major Birch had similar advice for Among his advice about service in an Army currently at war, CSM Birch also addressed with great emphasis and feeling the importance of treating every Soldier with respect regardless of rank or position. "I think what struck me most about meeting him [CSM Birch] was the fact that he called each of us 'sir' when he met us. Clearly, he is a man that practices everything that he says," Cadet Schuyler said. "CSM Birch made me realize just how far soldiers will go for their leaders if they feel that the leader is concerned with their well-being and livelihood not only as Soldiers, but as people," said Cadet Wigley.
CSM Birch also expanded on this to include the Commissioned
Officer -- NCO relationship. "Some of my best friends
Cadet Middleton presents CSM Birch a painting of the Pylons "If you haven't read Anton Myer's "Once an Eagle," I suggest you do so sometime before you pin on those gold bars. The officer that you want to emulate is Sam Damon," CSM Birch advised just before he concluded his remarks. Before he could take his seat, he received a standing ovation from the battalion. Truly, it was a moving and fitting end to an enjoyable and informative evening to have CSM Birch address us. He is a pure warrior and an American Hero. by Cadet Andrew Mann
Ranger Platoon The recent reorganization of the battalion includes a Ranger Platoon, giving the members of the VTCC Ranger Company a place within the structure of Army ROTC. Ranger Platoon is led by Cadet Dan Di Giorgio and Cadet Michael Luth serves as the Platoon Sergeant. Ranger Platoon conducts its own labs and PT, just as the other platoons within the battalion. In addition to its new organization, the process for becoming a member of Ranger Company has been revised and standardized in order to more closely resemble an Army school, with Ranger School serving as the model that Ranger Company strives to emulate. Ranger Indoctrination Phase (RIP) is a three week period consisting of training 5-6 days per week. During this phase candidates receive instruction in knot tying, rappelling, belaying, and negotiation of the VTCC obstacle course. RIP candidates also participate in rigorous Physical Training during this period. Upon completion of RIP, candidates must pass several tests during the Ranger Assessment Phase. This phase is 5 days long and consists of a timed 5-mile company run, a 10-Kilometer road march, negotiation of the obstacle course, knot tying/belaying test and rappelling, and the Ranger Physical Fitness Test (RPFT). Candidates must complete the 5-mile run in 37:30, finish the 10-K road march within an arms length of their buddy at a 14 minute per mile pace, and pass the RPFT with a 90% in each event in the 17-21 age group and perform 6 chin-ups. Candidates must also successfully negotiate each obstacle on the obstacle course and demonstrate proficiency in instructing the proper negotiation of each obstacle. The knot test consists of candidates tying 9 knots and stating the purpose and checkpoints for each knot, with 2 minutes allotted for each knot. After completing R.A.P, the candidates are full fledged members of Ranger Company and are able to wear the Ranger Company beret, black PT gear, and participate fully in all company activities such as the annual spring whitewater rafting trip. Their activities are conducted under the experienced eye of CPT Avila or the VTCC Cadre.
Through rigorous training and dedicated MS IV leadership,
Ranger Platoon gives those cadets who have demonstrated a by Cadet Nicholas Roland
New River Valley Battalion Cadre Feature: SFC Jones
SFC Arthur Jones
SFC Arthur Jones joined the U.S. Army in 1988 as a Medical
Reservist, and went Active in 1990 as an infantryman. Over the course of
his Army career, SFC Jones has attended Airborne, Air Assault, Jungle
Warfare, Pathfinder, Jumpmaster, and Ranger School. His numerous awards
include the Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, Master Parachutist Badge,
British Parachute Wings, Pathfinder Badge, Combat Infantryman's Badge
2nd award, Ranger Tab, and Expert Infantry Badge. SFC Jones had the
opportunity to serve as a Ranger Instructor for four years, and has been
by Cadet Benjamin Chinsky SGM Ferrone Awarded CIB
SGM Ferrone SGM Ferrone is the new Sergeant Major for the New River Battalion this year. He has served as a Green Beret for the past several years, prior to that he was an infantryman and has served in the Army Rangers. He is known throughout the battalion for his vast knowledge of survival skills, such as land navigation, small unit tactics, and several green berets survival tactics he learned. He instills this knowledge upon the Cadets in the Army ROTC programs at Radford University and Virginia Tech, but to further increase his long list of accolades and service, he was awarded the CIB. The Combat Infantryman's Badge was created in 1943 by the War department to recognize "the skill and heroism of the American infantry", as said by former Secretary of War, Henry Stimson. To receive this merit an American Soldier must be engaged in direct contact with an enemy unit. The Soldier must also actively participate in combating the enemy forces that they have made contact with. The last requirement to receive this award is that the Soldier must be of an infantry or Special Forces MOS and the grade of Colonel or below.
SGM Ferrone qualified for all of these criteria in order to
receive his CIB for service in Iraq, after engaging in a small by Cadet Kerry Mitchell Major Hogeboom: Nominated for Senior Military College Recruiting Operations Officer of the Year
MAJ Hogeboom Captain Avila: Nominated for Senior Military College APMS of the Year
New River Valley Battalion Winter Commissioning
On Thursday December 14, 2006 the Virginia Tech War
Memorial Chapel was filled with guests as eight graduating by Cadet Matthew Schloesser Good Luck and Godspeed
Radford University Commissioning RU President, Penelope Kyle with 2LT Heughan (FI), 2LT Leake (Nurse), 2LT Lester (QM)
New River Valley Battalion Army Vets Honored With the tragedy that occurred on September 11th, many people knew that this country of proud Americans would respond. We answered that cowardly act by announcing that we will not stand for it and that we will retaliate. Our fellow Americans showed great support for the defense of our nation and, in vast numbers, allowed their emotions to carry themselves into battle by enlisting into the armed services. The dedication, pride and determination to stand up for what is right touched four of our own Cadets here at Virginia Tech Army ROTC. After showing support for our cause by joining the commissioning program, Cadets Pitts, Riley, Balach, and Mitrevski all enlisted into the Army to be able to give more immediate assistance. Cadet Mitrevski enlisted into a National Guard (NG) Transportation unit while Cadets Pitts, Riley and Balach enlisted into a NG Infantry unit based out of Christiansburg. The sacrifice that these four Cadets would soon face was yet to come.
From Left to Right, Cadet Mitrevski, Cadet Pitts, Cadet Balach, Cadet Riley.
In addition to the everyday college life, these four Cadets
were actively training in one of the most prestigious Army ROTC programs
in the country. Also, they found themselves conducting regular training
events through their respective NG units. Knowing that deployment
overseas was inevitable and the toll that their studies would take if
deployed, these four Cadets continued to train hard and prepare. Not
much time passed after completion of Basic/AIT training before they
received orders to support the War on Terror. Mitrevski and his unit
were stationed in Iraq for the early stages of the war while Pitts,
Balach and Riley (all three in the same unit) were ordered to deploy to
Afghanistan. These deployments started in mid 2003 and were concluded in
late 2004. We can only imagine the hardships that each of them
experienced until we too have our chance to show our support for this
country and its defense. The students, friends of Although never expected, the support shown to our Soldiers by their fellow Americans, is always appreciated by the men and women in uniform serving our nation. Cadets Pitts, Balach, Mitrevski, and Riley were honored to receive this support for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. We all had the chance to stand and express our appreciation to these four heroes of our nation. by Cadet Jason Haggard Alumni COL Jeffery Ingram ('83) and MAJ Ed Chamberlayne ('93) are currently deployed serving in the 1st Infantry Division. COL Ingram is the 1st Brigade Commander and MAJ Chamberlayne is the 1st Engineer Battalion S-3. They took the rime to show their Hokie Pride in front of a Buffalo one of the Army's best tools for route clearance and IED removal. The picture was taken near Tikrit, Iraq.
MAJ Ed Chamberlayne, Class of 1993; COL Jeffrey Ingram, Class of 1983 ENDOWMENT FUND The recently established Army ROTC Endowment Fund is accepting donations. With the tightening of budgets private support for this outstanding Army ROTC program is required to continue providing the quality training our Cadets expect. Consider making a contribution to the Endowment Fund. Checks should be made out to "Virginia Tech Army ROTC". Place the account #872289 on the check. The mailing address is 226 Military Building, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061. For additional information contact COL Chris St. Jean or MAJ Patrick Hogeboom at (540) 231-6401 or by e-mail at rotc@vt.edu. ARMY ROTC LISTSERV VIRGINIA_TECH_ARMY_ROTC@LISTSERV.VT.EDU Want to keep abreast of current Army ROTC activities? Join the ARMY ROTC Iistserv by sending an e-mail to rotc@vt.edu
New River Valley Battalion Cadets of the Month
Congratulations to the December Cadets of the Month for their excellent leadership and motivation Congratulations to the February Cadets of the Month for the most improved APFT score after the long holiday break. Cadets of the Month for March -- Greatest Recruiting Effort; Best MS I, II and III as voted by their peers. Cadets of the Month for April -- Midterm: MSI, MSII FTX:MSIII Most Inspirational MSIV Cadets of the Month for May -- Most Improved Cadet of the Year CWST and Swim Test
In an effort to provide necessary-water survival skills to
the Cadets of the Virginia Tech Army ROTC program, the MSIV class and
Cadre conducted a swimming test and Combat Water Survival training in
the War Memorial Pool on Saturday 10 February 2007. This training was
necessary for MS III Cadets bound for the Leaders Development Assessment
Course over the summer at which they will be evaluated on their
leadership abilities and military skills. The event started with a
prolonged swim, in which Cadets were evaluated on their abilities to
swim continuously for ten minutes without coming into contact with
either the sides of their lane or the end of the pool. Cadets were also
evaluated on their ability to tread water for five minutes without any
assistance from other Cadets or the side of the pool. After completing
both swimming events, the Cadets donned full battle dress uniforms,
modified to include tennis shoes instead of combat boots, and began the
"combat" portion of the water survival training. At the fifteen meter
equipment swim, Cadets strapped on load bearing equipment, (LBE) and
picked up an M-16 rifle and attempted to swim the specified by Cadet Dustin Siddle and Cadet Alexander Pombar
New River Valley Battalion University Traditions: Snowball Fight
One of the anticipated events each winter at Virginia Tech
is "the" snowball fight. On a campus of approximately 28,000 students
and 800 cadets, snow ball fights each year take on the appearance of
Homeric battles as the two sides traditionally surge back and forth
across the drill field in search of position, fresh snow, and trophies.
Both sides have In years past, students have witnessed all sorts of stratagems, spectacles, and ruses. Many years, barrages of snow artillery rule the field being fired by cadets armed with great sling shots. Often in the midst of a standstill, there may be a battle between champions with one volunteer from each side entering man-to-man against their opponent for the honor of their respective side. Wrestling itself is common, yet angry contestants are quickly diffused. The snowball fight is one of friendly competition. The most entertaining feat this past winter was perhaps a company of freshmen dressed in civilian clothes who snuck by circular route into the rear of the civilians holding the high ground. These freshmen then proceeded to direct fire into the civilian rear breaking the line. This gap opened up a hole in the line allowing the cadets below to charge uphill from where they further cleared the high ground and reigned fire on a great pocket of civilians who were forced to onto the plain, then to disperse and seek reinforcements. The fighting further ensued and devolved, as it is wont, until both sides slowly trickled back to their respective dorms and quarters laughing, sighing, and shouting about their own little "playing fields of Eton." Perhaps, as it was with the Duke of Wellington, we too will see the fruits of such warlike games. by Cadet Mark Settle
VPl Cadets "Snowball Fight" Smith, Wayne R. Collection Military Weekend
Cadet Jeffrey Stine presents gift to Major General Mark Welsh at Senior Banquet The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets hosted their annual Military Conference in conjunction with Military weekend from 9 FEB through 11 FEB 07. Cadets from other senior military colleges and service academies attended, including the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and the United States Military Academy in West Point. The conference discussions centered on three topics: Freshmen Indoctrination Programs, Motivational Tools and Institutional Standards, and Gender Issues. Some institutions sent cadets to discuss a specific topic that pertained to serious issues at their respective schools, and these cadets were able to bring excellent solutions and suggestions back to their schools. Cadets from Virginia Tech came in contact with the experiences, values, and standards of other institutions. Cadets from other Army ROTC programs and from West Point had much to offer as well as learn from Virginia Tech Army cadets. Several cadets from the New River Battalion participated in the conference. Cadets Bedell, Beringer, Settle, Counihan, and Vaughan provided excellent insight and an Army perspective to the discussion topics. These participating cadets reflected the high standards of the Army program at Virinia Tech and demonstrated the values and maturity our cadets embody. Army Strong! by Cadet Tim Bedell
New River Valley Battalion Battalion Photos VT ARMY
Cadet Megan Bradner gives a big thumbs up to the Battalion's Dining In
Cadets prepare for their assessment in the newly reorganized Ranger Platoon Ranger Platoon
Cadet Balach and Cadet Brennan prepare themselves for 0 degree temps during the battalion foot march
Cadet Gallagher gets some well deserved downtime snuggled up with his favorite MRE, the Veggie Burger at the Battalion's Spring FTX
Cadet Anthony Akrami, enjoys his time as Mr. Vice during the Dining In New River Battalion Army ROTC
Virginia Tech ARMY ROTC "One Team One Fight" Key Events Calendar
Battalion FTX: 23-25 February 2007 ARMY STRONG Battalion Spring 07 Chain of Command
The Hokie Bird decked out in ACU's
Battalion Command: Cadet Casey Middleton
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