yellow jacket battalion commander's corner
TRANSCRIPT
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Upcoming Events:
Cadet Leadership Course
Cadet Initial Entry Training
Air Assault School
Cadet Troop Leader Training
As I approached the Spring Semester back in January I
remember thinking to myself that this semester cannot be
nearly as busy as the Fall Semester. I was wrong! The spring
was just as busy if not busier than the fall.
In addition to our normal program of instruction, we also
conducted two major events this semester, a Leadership
Development Exercise (LDX) and a Dining Out.
The LDX is an opportunity for select Cadets to practice their
planning skills while gaining a broader understanding of the
Army. This semester we conducted our LDX with WVU and
Marshall University. The first event was a visit the U.S. Army
War College, where the Cadets had the opportunity to learn
from a panel of Colonels in order to gain some perspective from the Army’s senior leaders.
We then visited the U.S. Heritage Center and conducted a staff ride at Gettysburg National
Military Park to gain insights on the operational art as well a better understanding of our
nation’s military history. The second major event, the Yellow Jacket Dining Out, is executed
annually to teach Cadets some of the traditions of the service while giving them the
opportunity to dress up, socialize, and enjoy each other’s company in a less stressful
atmosphere.
As the semester came to a close I had the pleasure of executing ROTC’s capstone event; the
commissioning ceremony. This May we commissioned six Second Lieutenants into this great
Army of ours. A day later I administered the oath of office to a WVSU Cadet during the
university’s commencement ceremony, highlighting ROTC and demonstrating our continued
close relationship with WVSU.
With school out of session, we transitioned to preparing our Cadets for Summer Training (CST)
at Fort Knox, KY. This year we have a total of seven Cadets participating in CST, one of
whom will also attend Air Assault School and another who will go to Korea for Cadet Troop
Leadership Training.
This semester we also said goodbye to four individuals that were key in my transition to WVSU
and have played vital roles in guiding Cadets. The Senior Instructor, Master Sergeant Shank, is
headed to Korea; one Assistant Professor of Military Science (Major Beirne) is headed to Fort
Bragg, NC, and the other (Captain Judy) is transitioning to work at the WV National Guard
Headquarters. Finally, Mrs. Fatiema Wilkerson, our office manager, has moved to the Office
of Academic Affairs across campus. I hate to see them leave but I wish them God speed in
their new assignments.
Recruitment of quality Cadets is still one of our top priorities, so we continue to need your
support to encourage students to attend one of the schools that make up the Yellow Jacket
Battalion and then consider ROTC as their FIRST option.
Yellow Jacket Battalion In this Issue: Page
Commander’s Corner 1
Making Headlines 2-3
Summer Training 4
Newest Lieutenants 5-6
Farewell 7
Commander’s Corner
Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Vol. 6 June 2015
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Making Headl ines
Cadets at the annual rifle range. Cadet Buchanan advises a Cadet on
marksmanship.
Yellow Jacket Battalion Cadre and
Cadets help out WVSU on “WVSU Cares
Day”, an annual day of service to the
community.
Cadets Fitzgerald, Robinson, and
Thompkins demonstrate the 2 man
carry during the first aid lab.
SSG Hatcher monitors Cadets during the
Combat Water Survival Test.
Cadets learn the one rope bridge during
lab.
Yellow Jacket Battalion
West Virginia State University
Army ROTC
Ferguson-Lincoln Building
PO Box 489
Institute, WV 25112-0489
Tel: 304-766-3108/3109
Fax: 304-204-4019
E-mail:
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Making Headl ines
Yellow Jacket Battalion Annual Dining Out
The Yellow Jacket Battalion conducted the annual dining out in the Union on WVSU’s
campus. Thanks to Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Charles Ledbetter (WVSU Professor of
Military Science from 1979-1983) for his inspiring words as the guest speaker.
Look us up on the web! http://www.wvstateu.edu/Academics/ROTC.aspx
Want to keep up to date with the Yellow Jackets?
Check out our Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/yellowjacketbattalion
Yellow Jacket Battalion
West Virginia State University
Army ROTC
Ferguson-Lincoln Building
PO Box 489
Institute, WV 25112-0489
Tel: 304-766-3108/3109
Fax: 304-204-4019
E-mail:
4
Specia lty Schools
Cadet Ashley
Burns will attend
Cadet Troop
Leader Training
Cadet Vincent
Bird will attend
Air Assault School
Cadet Leadership Course
Cadet Ashley Burns Cadet James Hubbard Cadet Abraham Hummel Cadet Franklyn Myers
Cadet In i t ia l Entry Train ing
Cadet Vincent Bird Cadet Brittany Watkins
PHOTO NOT
AVAILABLE
Cadet Enya Williams
PHOTO NOT
AVAILABLE
Cadet Summer Train ing
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Newest Lieutenants is the U.S. Army
Second Lieutenant Ryan Buchanan is a graduate of West Virginia State University. He will serve in the Regular Army as an Infantry Officer.
Second Lieutenant Ryan Buchanan
Second Lieutenant Caitlin Gwinn is a graduate of Glenville State College. She will serve in the WV National Guard as a Medical Services Officer.
Second Lieutenant Caitlin Gwinn
Second Lieutenant Kyle Hartleben is a graduate of Glenville State College. He will serve in the WV National Guard as an Ordnance Officer.
Second Lieutenant Kyle Hartleben
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Newest Lieutenants is the U.S. Army
Second Lieutenant Molli Hill is a graduate of the University of Charleston. She will serve in the WV National Guard as an Ordnance Officer.
Second Lieutenant Molli Hill
Second Lieutenant Christopher Jenkins is a graduate of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology. He will serve in the Regular Army as a Nurse.
Second Lieutenant Christopher Jenkins
Second Lieutenant Travis Nesbitt is a graduate of Glenville State College. He will serve in the WV National Guard as a Signal Officer.
Second Lieutenant Travis Nesbitt
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West Virginia State University
Army ROTC
Ferguson-Lincoln Building
PO Box 489
Institute, WV 25112-0489
Tel: 304-766-3108/3109
Fax: 304-204-4019
E-mail:
Yellow Jacket Battalion
Farewel l
Master Sergeant Johnathon Shank
After three years as the Yellow Jacket Battalion’s
Senior Military Instructor, Master Sergeant Shank
has been reassigned to Korea.
Master Sergeant Shank will be missed for his sage
advice, wise mentorship, and, most especially, his
Crossfit focused physical training program.
The Yellow Jacket Battalion wishes him luck in his
new assignment.
Major Charles Beirne
Major Charles Beirne has been the face of ROTC at
Glenville State College for the last three years. He
leaves the Yellow Jacket Battalion for Fort Bragg.
Known for his sense of humor and jovial nature
(although he hid it well), he was integral to the
success of the Battalion.
The Yellow Jacket Battalion wishes him luck in his
new assignment.
Captain Jonathan Judy
Captain Jonathan Judy has been our lead Basic
Course Instructor and training officer for the
Yellow Jacket Battalion. He is assuming duties as
the WV National Guard Officer Strength Manager.
Known for his charm, good looks, and unusual work
ethic, Captain Judy as been the officer who made
sure everything happened in the battalion.
The Yellow Jacket Battalion will continue to work
closely with Captain Judy in his new duties, but he
will be missed.
Ms Fatiema Wilkerson
Ms Wilkerson has been the backbone of the
battalion, taking care of everything from the Hall
of Fame to every day operations.
Always ready to take on new challenges, Ms
Wilkerson has been a steady hand in the program.
Ms Wilkerson has been promoted to work in the
Provosts Office, and we wish her luck.
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WVSU Army ROTC Video
Check out our video. It can be found on our website,
Facebook page, or on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD1LcLcX8mk
The Yellow Jacket Battalion
Look us up on the web!
http://www.wvstateu.edu/Academics/ROTC.aspx
Want to keep up to date with the Yellow Jackets?
Check out our Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/yellowjacketbattalion
West Virginia State University Army ROTC
Ferguson-Lincoln Building
PO Box 489
Institute, WV 25112-0489
Tel: 304-766-3108/3109
Fax: 304-204-4019
E-mail: [email protected]