Texas A&M Army ROTC AGGIE WARBATT Newsletter Fall 2020

FIRST BRIGADE, UNITED STATES ARMY CADET COMMAND

AGGIE WARBATT

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ARMY RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS

Issue 1

FALL 2020

Rudder's Rangers Pinning Ceremony

Operation Agile Leader Navigating through COVID-19 Operating Environment

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Issue No. 1

FIRST BRIGADE, UNITED ARMY Texas A&MSTATES University Army ROTCCADET COMMANDFall Semester 2020

AGGIE WARBATT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ARMY RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS

Operation Agile Leader

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Project GO

Story by Cadet Edith Anzaldua

Apply NOW!

Army Cadet in Morocco with Project GO Scholarship

Cadet MSIV Guillen fires her M4A1 assault rifle during the Operation Agile Leader marksmanship event at Camp Swift, Texas.

Table of Contents Topic

Page

Operation Agile Leader

2

Cadet Battalion Cdr

3

U.S. Army ROTC Cadre Cadet Leadership Photo Album Rudder's Rangers

4-5 6 7-9 10-11

Project GO

13

Talent Based Branching

14

History of RR

15

Parsons Mounted Cav

19

Texas Aggie Alumni

20

Special Recognitions

23

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D

ue to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Cadet Command announced the cancellation of the summer Advanced Camp. To meet the camp requirements, Operation Agile Leader (OAL) emerged as a solution to mitigate the required Advanced Camp tasks. At Texas A&M OAL tasks were divided over Fall and Spring academic semesters.

On the first day of October, 69 senior Army ROTC cadets attended a two-day Fall field training exercise (FTX) at Camp Swift that meet the Operation Agile Leader requirements including land navigation and basic rifle marksmanship. The cadets were assigned to two platoons and began drawing their basic logistics requirements, including weapons, meal ready to eat (MRE) bags, and supplies. As they waited for the buses, cadets took time exchanging MRE goodies and learned who would be in their platoon. Upon arrival at the training site, each platoon conducted their FTX events by alternating turns. While Cadets from one platoon navigating the nighttime land navigation course, the other platoon prepared themselves for rifle marksmanship at the Zeroing Range.

On the Night-to-Day land navigation course, Cadets must find at least one out of three points for the limited visibility segment and at least four out of six points

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Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

Cadet Battalion Commander Fellow Cadets, It's a great honor and privilege to serve as the Cadet Battalion Commander of the Warrior Training Battalion (WTB) at Texas A&M Army ROTC. Just like you, I am a full-time student and a contracted Army Cadet and a proud member of B-2 in the Corps of Cadets.

Luke Vitullo

Battalion Commander

Unlike any other time in our lifetime, we enhance our skills in the science of warfare and the art of leadership during a global pandemic. Nonetheless, the direction of the WTB strives to prepare cadets for their summer training and commission them as officers into the United

States Army.

The WTB is currently in the third month of training for the 2020-2021 school year and has accomplished an FTX to complete requirements for Operation Agile Leader, the Army's solution for cadets not attending their summer training due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to this pandemic, the WTB has become much more decentralized to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This training has allowed for individuals in lower-level leadership positions to step up and obtain valuable experience as leaders in their teams, squads, and platoons. This semester's training focus for MS1 and MS2 cadets is the individual skills required of them to be successful, such as land navigation and first aid. For MS3 cadets, their training focused on platoon-level operations to prepare them for Advanced Camp this summer. This semester's goal for the WTB staff is to ensure that the cadets in the program fulfill their training objectives and are prepared to carry on the legacy of Texas A&M to the Army when they commission.

The AGGIE WARBATT is a quarterly publication published by Texas A&M University Army ROTC Program at College Station, Texas.

Professor of Military Science Col. Blake A. Connors Art Director / Editor Lt. Col. Lan T. Dalat Director of Recruitment /Marketing Mr. David R. Manning Chief Military Science Instructor Sergeant Major Derrick Solomon Cadet Battalion Commander Cadet Lt. Col. Luke Vitullo Cadet Battalion Public Relations Ms. Christina Rose

DISCLOSURE The AGGIE WARBATT is a newsletter produced for members of the U.S. Army ROTC. The contents of the AGGIE WARBATT are not the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or the 1st Brigade, US Army Cadet Command. It is published quarterly in accordance with AR 25-30.

UPDATE! Effective October 1st, 2020, Army Physical Fitness Test will not be administered for contracting new cadets. Instead, the modified Army Combat Fitness Test will be administered with three events: 2 Minutes of Hand Release Push Ups 2 Minutes of Plank 2 Mile Run

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Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

Army ROTC Leadership Professor of Military Science

Chief Military Science Instructor

Executive Officer

Blake A. Connors Colonel, Infantry

Lan T. Dalat

Derrick Solomon

Lt. Col., Signal Corps

Sergeant Major, Infantry

Human Resources (S-1)

Recruiting/Marketing (S-2)

Operations (S-3)

Brent W. Bushong

David R. Manning ’83

Amanda L. Sluga

Captain, Infantry

Logistics (S-4)

Daniel R. Samuelson Captain, Logistics

Dept. of Army Civilian Lt. Col., Air Defense Artillery

Nathniel Kaufman ’20 Aaron Choate ’20 GBR GBR Assistant Professor

Phillip Schrimsher Master Sergeant, S3

Efrain Galvan Supply Tech

Instructor

Mike Brown Supply Tech Instructor

Automation S-6

Eric D. Thomas

Captain, Signal Corps

Nick Lastovica Supply Tech Instructor

Rudder’s Rangers Brent W. Bushong Alexander D. Roysden Terrion L. Gulley Captain, Infantry

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Sergeant First Class, Infantry

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Staff Sergeant, AG

Jay R. Cook Contractor

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Texas A&M University Army ROTC Assistant Professor

Instructor

Fall Semester 2020

Instructor

MS I

Amy L. Beatty

James A. Clark

Captain, Logistics

Sergeant First Class, Infantry

Assistant Professor

Instructor

Jose L. Flores Contractor

Instructor

Instructor

Calvin J. Hickman

Jay R. Cook

Instructor

Instructor

MS II Eric D. Thomas

Captain, Signal Corps Assistant Professor

Steven M. Legate

Sergeant First Class, Armor

Staff Sergeant, Armor

Instructor

Contractor

MS III

Richard A. Harpham ’10 Captain, Military Intelligence Assistant Professor

Ben K. Thurman

Sergeant First Class, Infantry

James E. Jancaric

Sergeant First Class, AG

Assitant Professor

Michael R. Terzian Instructor

Instructor

MS IV

Russell P. Huebner ’06 Daniel R. Samuelson Alexander D. Roysden Major, Infantry Texas ARNG

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Captain, Logistics

Sergeant First Class, Infantry

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Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

Army ROTC Cadet Leadership

Luke Vitullo

Battalion Commander

William Moore

Charles Fortenberry

Battalion Command Sergeant Major

Battalion Executive Officer

Aaron Smith Battalion S1

William Brown Battalion S2

Keilin O'Mara

A Co. Commander

Ashton Cooksey A Co. 1st Sergeant

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Cole Tschirhart Battalion S3

Caleb Harper Battalion S4

Genesis Hatten Battalion S6

Brady Beene

Alexander Domac C Co. Commander

Rudder’s Rangers Cdr

Samantha Mayo

Nathan Redman

Arthur Waltzman

B Co. Commander

B Co. 1st Sergeant

C Co. 1st Sergeant

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Justin Hurdle

Rudder’s Rangers 1SG

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Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

Army ROTC Cadets march in for the Pass and Review on game day with Vanderbilt on Sept. 26, 2020.

MS II Cadet prepares to launch the 10 pounds medicine ball during the familiarization of the Army Combat Fitness Test

Cadet conducts radio checks during a training exercise at Training Area Clark, College Station, TX

Members of Rudder’s Rangers conducted movement to the objective during an STX lane training.

Army ROTC Cadets receive training at Camp Swift during the Fall FTX

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2nd Lt. Kayani receives his first salute from Sgt. First Class Clark who served as his cadre

Cadets navigate through the obstacle course at Camp Swift

Fall Semester 2020

Members of the Rudder’s Ranger prepare to receive their pins at the pinning ceremony near the arches.

Dr Daniel J. Pugh, Sr., Ph. D., Vice President for Student Affairs Texas A&M University administers the Cadet oath to Cadet Daniel Pugh and Cadet Caleb Kennedy as the region’s Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army on September 8, 2020

Honorable Ryan D. McCarthy, Secretary of the Army visits Texas A&M Army ROTC seniors at the Corps of Cadets Center on Sept. 30, 2020 GIG’EM THE WARRIOR BATTALION Page 8

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Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

Rudder’s Rangers Cadet checks the M4A1 for serviceability before movement to an FTX

Cadet Mazow provides instructions to MS 1 cadet during a lab on campus.

Ring Day celebration

Cadet Mayo (right) instructs new cadets on assembly and disassembly of an M4A1 assault rifle

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Cadet MSIV Abel Vidaurri, a member of Parsons Mounted Cavalry at Texas A&M prepares to feed his horse Van at Green

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Rudder's Rangers Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

Written by Cadet Caleb Snow

C

adets from Rudder’s Rangers Company traveled to Camp Swift for their Fall field training exercise (FTX) on October 1st, 2020 to develop individual skills and build confidence in preparation for the Rudder’s Rangers best ranger competition (BRC) in the Spring of 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, the company was restricted to a headcount of only 100 Cadets. During the course of the field training, all Cadets conducted the familiarization of the Army obstacle course which greatly enhanced morale and built confidence within each Cadet. As the

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Army Obstacle Course at Camp Swift

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sun began to set, the Cadets prepared for night-into-day land navigation in order to build confidence and proficiency in the events for the BRC. Of the six points given, most buddy teams were able to find three to four in the allotted time. The main focus of the FTX was on Ranger tasks and individual Soldiering skills. MSIII (juniors) Cadet Leadership provided training on the M4A1 rifle, M249 and M240B squad automatic weapons, tactical combat casualty care (TC3), call for fire, 9-line medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) request, how to set up and employ claymore mines, how to properly throw hand grenades, and how to assemble/disassemble and use the SINCGARS tactical radio. The round robin training was designed to rotate groups of MSI (freshmen) and MSII (sophomores) Cadets to all of the training stations. This style of training led to valuable lessons. It allowed each Cadet to become more competent on individual tasks, ultimately serving as building blocks for the collective

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Fall Semester 2020

tasks which are required for squad tactics. Finally, the day ended with a platoon competition. The Rudder’s Cadets truly embraced the platoon competition during the final phase of the FTX. Platoon Leaders rallied their Cadets to prepare their equipment, and motivated them throughout the ruck march while pushing themselves to overcome adversities and challenges. While the other events taught individual Soldiering skills, this event helped to build teamwork and camaraderie. Since it was a competition, it became an easy way to rally and give it all to be the best platoon. In retrospect, the FTX was tough, challenging, and realistic. The stage has been set to continue to squad and platoon level operations and many Cadets are looking forward to the next platoon competition to prove that they are still the best, or to seek redemption. The fire has been lit and we, the Rudder’s leadership, look forward to seeing it grow.

Cadet Patton pulls the charging handle on an Cadet Hsu yells out his outfit’s motto before M249 during Fall FTX negotiating the obstacle course THE WARRIOR BATTALION

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Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

Operation Agile Leader Cont. !om page 2

Story by Cadet Edith Anzaldua during the four-hour daytime segment to receive a Go. Camp Swift’s surrounding areas and dense vegetations caused confusions for some Cadets since they were used to the open terrains at College Station. “The change of the environment and thickness of the woods really made me focus on my map. The way I was able to find my points was to really pay attention to the details. I felt that ROTC did well in preparing me for this land navigation” Ricardo Cervantes commented. One thing Cadets did not anticipate the encounter on the Land Nav course were the presence of wild boars. “I saw one of the boars standing at my point.”

One cadet didn’t want to be named, mentioned the incident.

Meanwhile, the other platoon headed straight to the small arms range for the weapon qualification, where they received a preliminary marksmanship instruction (PMI) on weapons safeties and shooting fundamentals. Following the PMI, the

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Cadre assigned the more experienced shooters with new shooters. “As an experienced shooter, I am excited to mentor other cadets as they qualify with their M4s," Cadet Kevin Wright shared his enthusiasm. Each pair worked together to accomplish the zeroing of weapons at the Zeroing range. Once the weapon received zeroed status, cadets moved to the qualifying pop-up targets range which included 16 lanes with colored pop-up silhouettes ranging from 50 – 300 meters. To pass the rifle marksmanship qualification, each cadet must shot 23 out of 40 targets.

During the Camp Swift FTX, COVID-19 mitigations were implemented to minimize transmission of the virus. As the night fell, each platoon received their designated area for rest and recovery. Six feet separation didn't stop the cadets from maintaining good morale.

In the darkness hours, cadets shared stories and encouraged each other on completing the tasks at hand and to receive Go at all stations.

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Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

Project GO

by Cadet Keilin O’Mara '21

M

y name is Cadet Keilin O'Mara, and I had the privilege of studying abroad in Morocco on a Project GO scholarship.

Last summer, I studied the Arabic language for ten weeks in Rabat, Morocco, and lived with a Moroccan host family. This remarkable experience not only taught me crosscultural awareness, but it improved my Arabic language skills as I improved from the beginner high level up to the intermediate level.

Army Cadet Keilin O'Mara studying abroad in Morocco on a Project GO Scholarship

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Some highlights from the trip were riding through the Sahara desert on a camel, visiting various cities around Morocco, allowing me to experience its diverse culture, traveling to Spain, and seeing the Alhambra! I also had the

opportunity to learn how to cook Moroccan food and various cultural dances. I made many local Moroccan friends and enjoyed the local gym, learning how to surf, and trying different coffee shops during my stay in Rabat.

Project GO also pays for cadets to take the Oral Proficiency Test before and after studying abroad. I used my OPI score to fulfill my graduate school's language requirement, saving me time and money. After this trip, I realized the essential role studying abroad played in enlightening me on issues often overlooked, such as how my host mother was part of the 55% of illiterate Moroccan women.

This unique experience has led me to focus my graduate school studies on issues in the Middle East and North Africa, specifically on Women, Peace, and Security. I am so thankful for the Project GO scholarship for this incredible opportunity to improve my Arabic language skills and educate myself on important subjects.

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CADET TALENT BASED BRANCHING Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

TALENT SEARCH

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The History of Rudder's Rangers

T

here is much history surrounding Rudder’s Rangers and its fifty-plus years of existence. To understand its history we will need to go back in time to an unforgettable day June 6th 1944.

The D-day landings in Normandy were some of the most pivotal battles in American history. James Earl Rudder was the commanding officer of 2nd Battalion 75th Rangers Regiment during World War II. LTC Rudder’s Rangers played a vital roll in the D-Day landings. His Rangers were tasked with the daunting mission of destroying an enemy artillery position overlooking the D-Day landing sites. During the assault on the enemy position the Rangers had to climb hand over hand up 100 foot ropes to the top of Pointe Du Hoc, all while having hand grenades thrown at them and receiving machine gun fire. The Rangers pushed through adversity, accomplishing their mission while saving countless lives during the D-Day landings in Normandy.

As many Aggies know, James Earl Rudder went on to become the 16th President of Texas A&M. Rudder’s Rangers was originally founded in 1968, in honor of Major General James Earl Rudder. Rudder’s Rangers was known, as the “Texas A&M Ranger Company”, comprised of members of Company F-2. Its original purpose was to serve as an opposing force (OPFOR) unit for Texas A&M Army ROTC. It quickly evolved into an advance training program that provided extra

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training opportunities during their preparation for attendance to the U.S. Army Ranger School.

Cadets from Rudder’s Rangers started to attend Ranger School in the 1970s in-between their sophomore and junior years in lieu of the U.S. Army Cadet Command’s Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC). Back then, select Cadets (as determined by a national order of merit list) could attend Ranger School and, assuming they passed, would earn the highest score possible at LDAC (a “5” at the time, but later an “E”). Texas A&M Ranger Company Cadets were often excelled at Ranger School. For many years, Texas A&M Ranger Company Cadets embodied the fighting spirit of James Earl Rudder’s original Ranger Battalion by successfully graduating Ranger School, the Army’s premier leadership school. After the Army terminated the Ranger School option for Cadets, Rudder’s Rangers switched its priorities to focus on training for the U.S. Army Cadet Command’s Advance Camp.

Moving into the 1990s, Rudder’s Rangers was charged with the responsibility of competing in the Cadet Army varsity sports, known as Ranger Challenge.

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Texas A&M won over 10 competitions, earning its name as one of the best Army ROTC programs in the country, which still holds true to this day. Most evident of the

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performance by Rudder’s Rangers Cadets at both Advance Camp and Ranger Challenge competitions is the fact that in 2019 over 98% of all Rudder’s Rangers finished Advance Camp with an excelling score and earned the opportunity to receive their branch of choice in the Army.

Every year, Cadets within Rudder’s Rangers compete for their Rudder’s Pin, an accomplishment that only a few have completed. The competition is known as the Rudder’s Best Ranger Competition, comprised of several physical and mental challenges. The competition is held every year in the spring and serves as a way for Cadets to demonstrate all the skills that they have learned from the training conducted that year. Additionally, Cadets compete for upcoming leadership positions within

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Rudder’s Rangers. Over a 72 hour period, Cadets are charged with completing tasks such as qualification with a rifle, land navigation, a 12 mile foot march with a 35 pound rucksack, obstacle course, and individual Soldier skills.

Moving forward, Rudder’s Rangers will continue to grow and provide Cadets with additional opportunities to attend Army schools, compete in marksmanship competitions, compete in Ranger Challenge, and continue to excel at the Advance Camp. Rudder’s Rangers Cadets puts in the extra work to achieve their best. If you think that you have what it takes to be with the best, then come out for Rudder’s Rangers and test your grit.

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Fall Semester 2020

MEGALAB

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Texas A&M University Army ROTC

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Fall Semester 2020

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Fall Semester 2020

PARSONS MOUNTED CAVALRY

Story by Cadet Cindy Jezierski, PMC Public Relations Officer

H

ave you ever considered riding horses while attending college in these days and age?

Some Cadets at Texas A&M do just that while being a member of the Corps of Cadets. "PMC is a student run organization." Cadet Abel Vidaurri who serves as the First Sergeant for PMC commented.

At the end of the WWI, cavalry warfare ended due to changes in technology. The development of machine guns and tanks made charging enemies on horse backs with sabres obsolete. With the birth of mechanize mounted forces in WWII, the U.S. Army disbanded its horse operations in 1943 and ceased mounted drill requirements at Texas A&M. As a young cadet, Thomas R. Parsons '49 missed the opportunity learning the cavalry drills. He went on to earn his commission as a Field Artillery officer. After 28 years of service with multiple combat tours of duty overseas to include Korea and Vietnam, he returned to Texas A&M as the Commandant of the Corps, Colonel Parsons revived the cavalry tradition starting with the class of 1974 and that special unit was named after its founder.

Parsons Mounted Cavalry (PMC) remained to be the only collegiate drill-and-ceremony horse combat unit in the nation and served as a special unit within the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. Membership of junior and senior cadets filled the unit with more than 90 members.

members fired the canon signified the beginning of the event. The quartermaster element travels at the tail end of the formation. The riders rode on wagons with shotguns protecting the supply for the mounted operations. PMC served a ceremonial unit that reflects the period between 1935-40, the height of the cavalry in the U.S. Army.

Thomas R. Parsons '49 Colonel, U.S. Army

"Most of these horses are donated from the State of Texas prison systems" Cadet Laux informed.

This unit applied military horse training to enhance cadets self-discipline, confidence, leadership, and decision-making skills. Learning to manage an animal much larger than themselves and with a mind of its own in challenging conditions developed many of the skills necessary for modern business and military leadership.

Each Tuesday, Cadets in the program meet at the facility known as “Fiddlers Green”, a tribute to the legendary afterlife imagined by cavalrymen. There, they repaired leathers, polished sabers, and provided feeding and caring of more than 90 animals.

According to Cadet Chase Laux, the unit consists of cavalry, artillery, and quartermaster elements. Members assigned to the cavalry element are the most senior members, they are the lead element in the parade and often with their sabers. Following the cavalry element are the artillery.

They trail formation with their canon in-tow. At the start of every March - In, the artillery crew GIG’EM

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Cadet Jezierski and horse named Van

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Thomas St. John ’95 takes the Oath of Office becoming an Army Officer at Texas A&M in December 1995

Fall Semester 2020

Lt. Colonel St. John (3rd rt.) stands among allies personnel during a reception in Poland.

Second Lieutenant Nicholas Solymosy 20’

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came to A&M as an average kid. I wasn’t a special student, nor a standout athlete. All I had was a sense of duty and a strong desire to serve in the military. I can confidently say that Army ROTC at A&M forged me into a stronger leader ready for life as an Army officer.

AROTC provided me the means to grow mentally, physically, socially, and professionally. Through ROTC alone, I studied Russian in two foreign countries, earned my jump wings, and learned how to lead on the fly while guiding teams, squads, and platoons through tactical scenarios at A&M.

accomplishments I just described is 24 years old. Those are the people I came up with in AROTC. Those are my peers who I trained with for four years. I couldn’t have been surrounded by better talent. That’s what A&M produces.

Now, I am participating in the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course (IBOLC). Our day to day rhythm is very similar to AROTC. At IBOLC, we get instruction in the classroom, then practice what we learn.

The only difference between A&M and IBOLC is the depth at which we learn the material. It’s surprising how similar IBOLC is to ROTC at A&M- same level of professionalism, same level of standards, same level of rigor. Texas A&M prepared me well by exposing me to challenge and preparing me to meet it.

Most importantly; however, AROTC at A&M surrounded me with peers of the highest caliber. Some of my best friends have already: earned master’s degrees, Nicholas Solymosy ’20 airborne wings, air assault badges, Ranger My advice to anyone considering Army tabs, Sapper tabs, pathfinder badges, and ROTC at A&M would be this- If you’re looking for a combat decorations. Some have lead soldiers in challenge, an adventure, and a worthwhile/ meaningful combat. They’ve deployed to countries in South experience, Army ROTC at A&M will roll all three America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. What’s into one and deliver it to you on a level you couldn’t truly humbling, is that the oldest person whose imagine.

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First Lieutenant Corbin Neumann 19’

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nlike other programs across the nation, Texas A&M Army ROTC uses its size, training resources, and continued cooperation with the neighboring Corps of Cadets to create unique opportunities for future lieutenants. As a freshmen you join over one hundred fellow cadets in a community of support and accountability, while bonding over the trials of fish year in the Corps. The next year, with two semesters of basic tactics at your disposal, you enjoy the responsibilities of a team leader and squad leader. During the third year you demonstrate your competence as a platoon leader or platoon sergeant. And in your final year of the program you work with other seniors and Military Science Instructors to plan, resource, and execute all aspects of training, including field training exercises involving over two hundred cadets.

created an environment of trust and confidence among the program’s senior cadets. After graduating I took my first step in the Army and began Engineer Basic Officer Leadership Course in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. As the Army’s so-called “Swiss Army Knife”, we learned skills ranging from the construction of an airstrip to the demolition of a steel door. A day may begin with the tactics and procedures for breaching an obstacle and end with a discussion of IED detection devices.

Outside of the classroom our instructors held us to high standards of physical performance, especially those lieutenants preparing for Sapper Leader Course.

Running, rucking, and lifting were a welcome part of our training day.

Following my time at Fort Leonard Wood, I traveled to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and joined the 101st Airborne Serving as the program’s Cadet Operations Division. I did not worry about my first Corbin Neumann ‘19 Officer during my senior year introduced me interaction with the Battalion to some of the challenges and responsibilities Commander, nor did I distress about how I encounter daily as a lieutenant in the Army. In my my battalion operated. Texas A&M Army ROTC position, I established close working relationships with already taught me how to speak confidently and many senior officers and non-commissioned officers respectfully with senior Army leaders; it also taught me while experiencing how a battalion in the Army the who, what, and why of every senior position within a operates. The mentorship offered by these leaders battalion. I was ready.

Captain Jason Zoeller ’14 Captain Jason P. Zoeller ’14 is presently the Company Commander of the U.S Army Network Enterprise Center on Camp Zama in Japan. He has previously served as a Battalion Communications Officer and a Signal Company Platoon Leader in the Aviation Support Battalion on Fort Riley in Kansas. Captain Zoeller was commissioned from Texas A&M University when he successfully graduated from the Mays Business School with a Bachelors in Management Information Systems, completed his Army ROTC requirements, and served honorably in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets with Company B-1.

Jason P. Zoeller ’14 GIG’EM

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Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

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ou may be able to take advantage of a program that allows you to participate in ROTC and enlist in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve at the same time, provided a vacancy exists in either a Guard or Reserve unit.

It's called the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), and it means that while you're still in college at Texas A&M, you can be gaining valuable experience and earning extra income. In the SMP, you will be paid at the rate of at least a Sergeant (E-5) for your Guard or Reserve service. In addition, you'll receive the ROTC Advanced Course allowance as well. You'll serve as an officer trainee in a Guard or Reserve unit and perform duties commensurate with the grade of second lieutenant. Once you graduate and receive your commission, you may continue your military service with your Reserve or National Guard unit or go on active duty. The ROTC Contract that is agreed upon will determine a cadet status. You are considered Non-Deployable during your time as an SMP Cadet!

The intent of the SMP Program is to increase officer accessions into the Reserve Components (RC) by increasing ROTC enrollment from enlisted RC members who are attending college. In addition, contracted nonscholarship cadets and Reserve Forces Duty (RFD) scholarship cadets can join a RC unit and the SMP. Advanced Course ROTC SMP students are paid for their Guard/Reserve training and receive the ROTC allowance as well as $1200.00 per year for books.

Upon completing the ROTC program, the United States Army Officer agrees to an eight-year obligation, which can be served in the Reserve Forces, on Active Duty or a combination of the two.

The Benefits ROTC monthly stipend of $420 a month

SMP kicker $368 a month

GI Bill (amount varies depending on previous military service status)

Drill pay of E-5 ($5,181.75 annually)

Eligibility Requirements

Be enrolled in college and have completed at least 30 credits.

Have completed Basic and/or Advanced Individual Training.

Be under 30 years of age by graduation. Waivers can be granted if you are under 39 years of age by graduation.

You pursue an Army-approved academic major.

2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

You meet required physical standards.

Your ROTC Commitment

Participating in the SMP program requires you to take ROTC classes, which demand a few hours of your time each week. Upon graduation, you have an obligation to accept a commission and serve full-time in the Active Army, or part-time in either the Army National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve.

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CONGRATULATIONS

Rudder’s Rangers Pin

Funk, Justin Jackson, Benjamin McCrorey, Colin Smythe, Connor Lambertis, Amira Parrish, Wesley Fortier, Connor Luce, Presley France, Spencer

Kennis, Jed Hane, Ryan Olmstead, Matthew Vu, Benjamin Gilbreath, John Hunter, William Trinh, An Jaimes, Omar Hernandez, Trevin

U.S. Army Physical Fitness Test Emily Hudechek 347 Simrun Head 346 Jacob Garcia 335 Jennifer Paton 332 Nicholas Solis 330 Zachary Scott 327 Justin Manne 324 Holly E Rabb 324 Samantha Mayo 323

Fontana, William Freese, Asher Tulli, David Olson, Isaac Loeza, Carlos Ertle, Brendan Rodriguez-Garza, Michael

U.S. Army Marksmanship

Benito Ibanez 322 Trainor Gray 321 Kavouras, John 320 Nathan Villemain 316 Brady Beene 314 Jonathan Ilori 313 Virginia Condry 313 Sean Watson 311

Brandon Kimball 40 Zachary Browne 37 Thomas Quinn 37 Luke Vitullo 37 Zachary Bengtson 36 Ian McDonald 36 Mason Perez 36

$1,138,800 Scholarship for Class of 2024 CONGRATULATIONS Travis Arey Logan Arrowood Scott Avery Samuel Buford Jackson Charles Reed Christensen James Coleman Luis Compian Aiden Connor Silas Daik Ethan Davis William De Frere Samuel Dillard Brandon Eng

Tyler Fanning Ethan Finney Mason Fletcher Charles Garcia Daniel Garza

GIG’EM

Erica Gonzales Brandon Groff Skylar Hager Stephen Hau Brian Hayden Kyle Horning Klayton House Oliver Hsu Danica Hunt Hayden Hutchison Veronika Jordan Nathan Joseph Ju Eun Kim Stone Knowles Cade Knox Shira Knox Matthew Locke Luke Magee Justin Manne Gregory Manternach

Aakash Mathew Charles Mayhew Colin Mccrorey Sarah Mcmurry Samantha Melanson Macartney Meyers Logan Morris Xavier Muratalla Hector Natividad Kyle Nelson James Parks Jennifer Paton Glenn Peacock Steven Petracca Thomas Pimentel Jane Pitts Benjamin Powell Tabitha Pravinkumar Willliam Rehmert Alexa Reichert

THE WARRIOR BATTALION

Cooper Rudnick Brett Shtrax Madi Sliva Dozier Smitht Hunter Spier Kyle St John Ronan Stackpole Zoe Swope Nathan Taake Caleb Thelen MichaelThompson Tai Vergara Anika Waddill Thomas Waggoner Alayna Washington Breeaunna Whiting Gunner Willie Graham Wolfe Melanie Zoch

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Issue No. 1

Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

HAIL & FAREWELL

We want to welcome the following cadre to Texas A&M Army ROTC family: Lt. Colonel Lan Dalat and Family Captain Brent Bushong and Family Master Sergeant Phillip Schrimsher and Family Sergeant First Class Steven Legate and Family

Thank you Sergeant First Class Deneice Heath for your service as S-1 NCOIC

2nd Lt. Aaron Choateand '20 and 2nd Lt. Nathniel Kaufman '20

PROMOTION Congratulations to Lt. Colonel Amanda Sluga on her recent promotion.

James A. Clark Sergeant First Class

GIG’EM

The Order of Saint Maurice is presented to two outstanding cadre: Sergeant First Class Thurman and Sergeant First Class Clark who have served the infantry community with distinction, made a significant contribution in support of the infantry, and represent the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence, and dedication to duty. Order of Saint Maurice was established in 1996 in the pattern of the Cavalry & Armor Association's Order of St. George Medallion and is awarded by the National Infantry Association and the certificate is signed by the Chief of Infantry of the United States Army. It is named after Saint Maurice, the leader of the Roman Theban Legion in the 3rd century

THE WARRIOR BATTALION

Ben K. Thurman Sergeant First Class

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I am an Army Cadet.

Soon I will take an oath and become an Army Officer committed to defending the values, which make this nation great.

Honor is my touchstone.

I understand mission first and people always.

I am the PAST: the spirit of those warriors who have made the final sacrifice.

I am the PRESENT: the scholar and apprentice soldier enhancing my skills in the science of warfare and the art of leadership.

But, above all, I am the FUTURE: the future warrior leader of the United States Army.

May God give me the compassion and judgment to lead and the gallantry to WIN.

Issue No. 1

Texas A&M University Army ROTC

Fall Semester 2020

UPCOMING EVENTS December Commissioning

11 Dec 2020

Operation Agile Leader II

14-16 Jan 21

Spring Orientation Week

12 Jan 21

Spring MegaLab

20 Feb 21

Rudder's Rangers Range

20 Feb 21

Spring FTX

GIG’EM

THE WARRIOR BATTALION

DATE

15-17 April 21

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