FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

RAM BATTLION

MARCH

2015

IN THIS ISSUE

1

2 ............................................... Cadet Battalion Commander

3 ................................................ Cadet Command Sergeant Major

4 ................................................ Cadre Recognition

5 ................................................ A new addition to C Co.

6 ................................................ Cadet Progression

7 ................................................ Branch Day Perspective

8 ................................................ Branch Day Experience

9 ................................................. Branch Day Event Photos

10 ................................................. Continued

Disclaimer

This is not an official production of, and does not represent the official views of, the Department of Defense, Department of the Army or U.S. Army Cadet Command. It is a student created Newsletter with the intention of sharing Cadet life and activities in the Fordham Army ROTC program.

Photos by: CDT Adrian Alesna

Ram Battalion Cadets, Cadre, Alumni, and Supporters,

First off, thank you for your continuing and tireless efforts

to make the Fordham Ram Battalion the best ROTC unit in

the country. With the support of alumni, and the intense

personal investment of every Cadet and cadre member,

Ram Battalion is constantly positioned for success. These

daily efforts over the length of years culminate into an

impressive and annual finished product – Second

Lieutenants prepared to serve their country in the United

States Army. I can personally attest to the fact that

creating this finished product is no easy task. Thousands

of hours go into refining and transforming a new freshman

Cadet into a senior ready for commissioning. Throughout

the process, Ram Battalion Cadets find themselves

throughout the country, around the globe, jumping from

perfectly good aircraft, leading enlisted soldiers at summer

Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT), and interning at

some of the nation’s top companies.

The spring semester is always the most exciting. Field

Training Exercises forge bonds between underclassmen.

The Military Ball looms as a fitting reward for a year of

hard work. Juniors anxiously await their summer training

course and follow on training. Seniors excitedly await

commissioning and BOLC. The energy throughout the

Battalion right now is unstoppable. All of these events and

the high level of excitement serves to constantly push

each cadet to their limits and when this happens, the

entire battalion succeeds!

2

Message From The Cadet Battalion Commander

By: David Marthy

3

Message From The Cadet Command Sergeant Major

To give some background about myself I am currently

doing my undergraduate at New York University

studying Nutrition and Dietetics. I am also branching

active duty Air Defense Artillery upon

commissioning. My main interest lies in human

performance research—specifically the investigation of

methods for achieving peak human efficiency, and

lifestyle choices as preventative medicine. Post

deployment goals are to work in the field of sports

nutrition for the Army. I have created and given

standards to the physical fitness regimen for Ram

Battalion cadets and I offer myself as a resource for

questions in the health sciences as well as power lifts

for the USAPL federation. My goals for the Ram

Battalion are not only to ensure that they are top

scorers on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), but

that they are physically prepared for the physical

burdens of soldier’s combat loads in ways the APFT is

unable to address. Beyond fitness, I support and

respect Cadet David Marthy, the Battalion Commander

in both his decisions and goals. Together we work with

Justin Ahn, the Executive Officer to encourage cadets

to improve their organizational leadership and

personnel management while facilitating the planning

process of Ram Battalion functions. It is with great

pleasure and excitement that I note the development of

Ram Battalion cadets within the ROTC program.

By: Frank Truei

Cadre Recognition

4

Fordham ROTC Cadre were recognized and awarded by the NYC Recruiting Battalion for their efforts in supporting the Recruiting Battalion.

LTC Elise Hunt

MSG David Paradis

MAJ Eric Fekete

Meet C Co.’s New Cadet

5

-Cadet Claudia Weiskittel is an MSI and an

ROTC Cadet at Marist College-

As a freshman at Marist College, I started

ROTC last semester as a way to better myself

both physically and mentally. I certainly feel

that ROTC has done that for me. I learn

something new every day, and being an MSI I

know that I will continue to learn so much

more. I have been assigned as guide-on

bearer of Charlie Company and have also

participated in several Color Guard events.

This March I will join other Marist ROTC cadets

in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in NYC. In

addition, I recently signed my contract with the

Army. Coming into the program as a non-

contracted cadet was rather stressful because

of the extremely limited number of available

contracts. However, this shortage helped drive

me to better my APFT score as well as my GPA

so that I could have a chance of getting

contracted. Thankfully I was able to do so.

After graduation I hope to go to medical school,

and then serve in the Active Duty Medical

Corps as an officer.

At Marist, I live on campus and

am originally from Walden, New York. I am

majoring in biology, minoring in mathematics

and considering a second minor in psychology.

I am also in the Honors Program at Marist.

Besides ROTC, I am involved with several

activities on campus including intramural sports

and Campus Ministry. Once a week I volunteer

at a nursing home in Poughkeepsie. I also

enjoy hiking, yoga, horseback riding and

running.

1st Picture: Pictured 3rd from the Left, Cadet Claudia Weiskittel poses with other cadets from Charlie Company. 2nd Picture: Cadet Claudia Weiskittel

LeBr

This year Ram Battalion has held many great opportunities and events for the cadets that allow them to learn and grow as leaders. With each event, comes lots of planning and coordination on many different levels. As a second semester MS2, I have been fortunate to witness how events are planned as well as executed. Looking back to my MS1 year, I’ve noticed a big change in my own responsibilities for not just events, but day to day activities of ROTC. On the road to becoming first semester MS3’s, our jobs as MS2’s are to act as Team Leaders and Squad Leaders. These positions are vital to keeping track of the younger cadets, and making sure they have everything they need (gear, information, guidance). The reason we are placed into those positions is to prepare us to eventually become company level leaders as MS3’s. Similar to us guiding the MS1’s, the upperclassmen and cadre are right alongside us to make sure we are ready to make the change. In the classroom, there is no doubt we have some of the greatest cadre instructors. Never hesitating to take the time to talk situations out with us, they are key in developing our critical thinking that we will need as an Officer. The upperclassmen have also been instrumental in helping us to become leaders. Since they’ve been in our shoes, and currently are where we soon will be, they are very quick to help us out if we find ourselves stuck or confused. Overall, my experience in ROTC has been quite enjoyable. I find myself learning and being a part of many things that typical college students would never have the opportunity to take part in. The strain on my life has been very minimal and it’s been quite easy to handle any conflicts I have. There is no doubt in my mind I am becoming a better leader and person, and that is all in thanks to the cadre, and upperclassmen.

Cadet MS Progression By : Cadet Christopher Traynor

6

Branch Day Experience

By Cadet: Sveen M. Alvarado

7

The experience I gained from attending Branch day was very helpful to me in various ways. This was the first time I’ve attended an event like this in the military. In my past experience, I’ve gained information about the military through talking and meeting military professionals but this information was not detailed. The event answered many of my questions about the different branches in the Army. I think the presentations were clear and concise. They explained in detail the career path of a person in different branches that included the pros and cons of what they do. The also explained the purpose and goals of their branch. I enjoyed this event a lot and would highly recommend this type of event for future cadets so they can better understand what the military does as an organization. I also would recommend MSII’s and MSI’s attend because the earlier one is exposed to this information, the easier their decisions will be in the future. I would recommend teaching or giving cadets tips on how to network properly so they feel more comfortable when they approach an officer. This will help them establish contacts easier. I also recommend being able to ask a few questions to the panelist after each presentation in order to keep the audience interested.

r Branch Day Experience Continued

8

On Saturday, February 7th at 0630 I attend Branch Orientation Day with the rest of the MS3’s and 4’s in Ram Battalion. Despite the early hour, always unwelcomed snow, and bumpy ride to and from the Bronx, I appreciated this opportunity to get a short introduction to all the branches from subject matter experts. After all, Google could only get me so far. Having a full breakfast earlier I then sat through fourteen different branch briefings. I gave the same amount of my attention to every single branch and the briefers were all current or former officers that had served in their branch. While some speakers may have been more compelling than others (the armor officers come to mind), I came away with a clearer understanding of every branch and how I, as a future second lieutenant might fit into each branch. It was particularly helpful to hear the briefers talk about their day to day life as a junior officer, as this doesn’t seem to be talked about nearly enough. The armor, engineer, and medical service branch briefings were especially engaging and opened my eyes to different opportunities that I might otherwise not have considered. I still haven’t decided on what branches I’m going to choose nor the order and if I'll look into opportunities like branch detailing. However, I came away from branch orientation day with a greater, general understanding of the different parts of the army and career progression. It made a process easier for me in which I originally saw it as distant and confusing. Now I can honestly say I’m excited for what the future has in store for me.

CDT Justin Nam is an MS3 Cadet and a Junior at Vassar College.

Branch Day Photos

9

With a large turn out of cadets and future soldiers, classrooms were filled with inquiries for the panel members.

F Branch Day Static Displays

10

Below are but a few sample of equipments and and vehicles that were present during the event

11

On the next News Letter Issue on Expect to see articles that will cover more Training and social events which includes:

Spring LTX Spring JLTX Military Ball

As well as various events

Fordham ROTC Attends and Conducts