Raider Battalion Newsletter
WSU Army ROTC
“Tried, Proven, and Ready!”

This is the first Raider Battalion newsletter for SY 05-06. Welcome to our new cadets and students taking AROTC, and welcome back to our returning cadets. It’s great to see everyone again as we start the new school year! This edition of the newsletter covers many exciting events that occurred over the summer. Special thanks to those cadre and cadet members who contributed to this edition. Go Raiders!!

PMS Corner – From the Top
This marks the first edition of the Raider Newsletter for the 2005-2006 School Year. The Raider Battalion closed out the 2004-2005 training

year with an outstanding performance at the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) and the Leadership Training Camp (LTC), where we experienced a 100% pass rate at both events. Our MSIV Class is a highly talented group, who are leading from the front and spreading the Army’s Warrior Ethos throughout the Corps of Cadets. We are off to a great start this quarter. We have taken our Physical Training Program to the next level and our MSIV cadets are doing a fine job of leading it. We have completed our Ranger Challenge competition, eight leadership labs, combat water survival training and our Fall Day of Training. Each of these events was marked by brilliant planning, organization, and execution. In addition, the MSIVs have completed the accessions process and their branch selections are forth coming in the near term. Our MSIII class is making great strides as they learn the critical skills necessary for operating as successful platoon leaders at LDAC. Our MSIIs and MSIs are making superb progress as they master the basic skills of officership. Throughout the school year we will continue to provide leadership opportunities for all cadets and we encourage cadets to seek leadership opportunities. Physical training, land navigation, and basic rifle marksmanship training will continue to receive emphasis, because they are critical skill sets that an officer must possess. Over the next two quarters we will work hard at preparing the MSIII cadets for LDAC and we will provide the MSIV cadets with the necessary tools and skills as they transition into the most respected Army in the world. I am most grateful to be a member of the Raider Battalion and look forward to the task of preparing our cadets for successful careers in the U.S. Army.

Raider Cadet Battalion Commander

As fall quarter quickly comes to an end, I am proud to say that the Cadet Corps esprit de corps and motivation this quarter has been very high. We have instituted several changes to our training and evaluation program, especially at PT and LLAB. Our cadre continues to mentor and help develop our leadership ability while the MS IV cadets train the underclassmen. Thanks to all the cadets and cadre for your hard work and dedication. I am humbled and honored to be the cadet Battalion Commander of Raider Battalion. Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing all of you in January.
A Day in the Woods with the Raiders
During the fall quarter, Wright State University Raider Battalion conducted many different types of training. The Raider Battalion successfully completed Land Navigation, Hand Grenade Assault Course, Rappelling, etc. Also during the fall quarter, the Raider Battalion conducted a Day of Training (DOT). The DOT consisted of several squad-sized missions along with Tactical Assembly Areas (TAA) which were preceded by a block of instruction given by seniors. The squad-sized missions were conducted during the day and the TAA was conducted at night. The juniors led the TAA assembly while the seniors evaluated their performances. The DOT was a successful block of training that allowed juniors to be evaluated on their tactical skills while freshmen and sophomores could see what will be expected of them in the future. The upcoming winter quarter will focus on the conducting of squad-sized missions. Classes, such as call for fire, actions on the objective and special teams, will be taught prior to the conduction of missions. The Raider Battalion will also be traveling to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in order to utilize the base’s obstacle course area. The upcoming winter quarter will allow juniors and sophomores to display their leadership skills and further develop them. If you are interested in training with the Raider Battalion please contact your cadet mentor. We look forward to seeing you.

LDAC and Recondo Training
Every summer, AROTC cadets from all over the country report to LDAC in Ft. Lewis, Washington for 33 days of leadership training. These cadets represent a large diverse group of future Army officers. Cadets have accepted two challenges: to successfully complete the course, and to earn the coveted Recondo Badge. Although most will successfully complete camp, only a few will earn the right to be RECONDO. The Recondo Badge consists of a variety of challenging events: APFT – you must score 90% in the push-up, sit-up & 2 mile run; Land Navigation – successfully complete day and night phases; M16 Qualification – 23 out of 40 targets on pop-up range; Obstacle Course – successfully complete all stations; and Hand Grenade Assault Course – receive a score of 80 or above. If you believe you are one of the few who can earn the Recondo Badge then accept the RECONDO challenge.

Army ROTC Cadet Referral Program
Once again this SY, LTC Hughes has approved the cadet prospect referral program. The purpose is to recognize cadets who encourage classmates to explore the opportunities available in Army ROTC. The PMS believes the Raider Cadet is the best testimony of the strength and quality of our program. In October, each cadet received a copy of the PMS policy via email and through their military science instructors. The policy outlines a tiered reward system varying from a T-shirt or Raider Battalion mug to a polo shirt or gift certificate for the Fairfield Common Mall. Referrals must be full-time academically aligned WSU students. The recruiting award(s) will be given to both contracted and non-contracted cadets. The real reward for a cadet is to get a high quality prospect enrolled and eventually contracted into AROTC and seeing the cadet battalion grow stronger and larger.

Cadet Profile: Who am I?
I am a twenty-one year old Organizational Leadership Major from Cincinnati Ohio. I graduated from Moeller HS. I enjoy sleeping and eating. My favorite movie is Scarface and my favorite TV show is The Family Guy. My favorite sports are golf and Xavier basketball. I spend the occasional weekend “hooahing” with an Armored Cavalry Troop in the ONG. After I graduate I hope to be an Armor Officer. Do you know who I am?

Nurse Summer Training Program
Each summer, nursing AROTC cadets are given the opportunity to experience working in army hospitals across the United States and overseas including Hawaii and Germany. The Nursing Summer Training Program, (NSTP), allows Army ROTC nursing cadets to participate in a nursing preceptorship. The cadets worked with Army Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Navy personnel during the NSTP experience, giving them a wide range of experiences. Ms. Nikki Shiverdecker, a senior nursing student and Army ROTC cadet completed the NSTP at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The NSTP is a three week military nursing clinical experience for Track II nursing students enrolled in AROTC who have completed their junior year. Ms. Shiverdecker had a very positive experience this summer and commented, “not only did I gain experience in an active duty Army hospital, but I also bettered myself as a nurse.” She continues, “I learned how to change dressings in the ICU on the burn ward and practiced inserting IV catheters on the CCU for chest pain patients.” Nikki also spent time in the Cardiac Catheter Lab and the Special Procedures Unit where the hospital staff taught her everything they could about each procedure. After the first week of experiencing the specialty floors, she worked with her preceptor on the CCU for chest pain patients. She worked twelve hour shifts four days a week. Ms. Shiverdecker said, “I improved my EKG monitor reading skills and learned how to admit and discharge patients.” Another memorable experience for her was working with a hospice patient who was sent to her floor for close monitoring while he was awaiting discharge plans. On her off- work days, she was able to see the sights of San Antonio which included, The Alamo, Sea World, Six Flags, and the beautiful architecture and culture throughout the beautiful city. Nikki concludes by saying with a smile, “my favorite thing to do was to float down the Guadalupe River and relax with my fellow NSTP cadets I served with.”

Cadet Nikki Shiverdecker, MS IV C/AS3 Officer

Welcome New Cadre
Mr. William D. Riffle is our new Supply Technician. On April 1, 2002 he completed 39 years of service with the U.S. Army, both Active and Reserve which includes 23 years of active federal service (AFS). Mr. Riffle, or “Chief”, as he likes to be called, was drafted in May 1963 and spent 2 ½ years on active duty. During the period, November 1965-February 1980, he was a member of several USAR units and progressed through the enlisted ranks to be a First Sergeant of his USAR Unit. In October 1985, he entered on active duty in an AGR status to support the day-to-day administrative and training activities of the USAR Upon completion of many duty assignments in West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio, he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer Four. Chief moved to Lebanon Ohio in April 2003. Mr. Riffle was temporarily employed with the U.S. AROTC at the University of Dayton before being hired this year by WSU. Chief is happily looking forward to the next several years here with the AROTC Raider Battalion at WSU!

This SY we also have a new Human Resource Assistant, Ms. Donna Givens. Ms. Givens has been married for twenty-four years to her husband Ronnie Givens and resides in Springfield. She is the proud mother of two sons and both are in the Navy: Ronnie Jr., 23 years old and Charles Lee, 22 years old. After 20 years of service in the US Army she retired as a Sergeant First Class. Her last tour of duty was in Germany as the human resources manager in the 1st Armored Division G1 and platoon sergeant, however, most of this duty was spent in Kuwait/Iraq. After her retirement from the military, Ms. Givens worked in Springfield for about six months with Assurant Solutions helping homeowners who had lost their homes due to hurricanes, sink holes, fires and other major losses, negotiate claims and contracts to rebuild their homes. She officially became a member of the WSU AROTC staff in July 2005 and is very glad to be here. And we can tell by her ever present smile! Welcome to WSU and the Raider Battalion, it’s great to have you here supporting us.

Leader’s Training Course
When you think of Fort Knox, you usually think of gold, but this past summer, Mr. Nick Wright learned Fort Knox was a place where he got a taste of Army life. Cadet Wright accepted the Leader’s Training Course challenge by seeing first hand what the Army is all about and to qualify for our Advanced Course. “The focus of the camp is on leadership development,” explains LTC Hughes, Professor of Military Science. “The Leader’s Training Course will set you up for future success by experiencing first-hand leadership, teamwork, working under pressure, overcoming your fears, and time management.” Throughout the camp, the cadets are placed in various leadership positions. Some of those include company commander, platoon leader and squad leader. “I learned more about myself in those four weeks than I had in the previous four years, especially when assigned to a leadership position” explains Mr. Wright, a WSU junior majoring in business management. He adds, “After completing the course, I am in better physical shape, and a more self-confident leader, plus, while I finish my degree at WSU, I am earning my commission as a second lieutenant. In addition to providing an opportunity for individual leadership growth, Nick participated in training and adventure activities such as rappelling, stream crossing, teamwork development exercises, land navigation, paintball, and water survival. Congratulations Cadet Wright and good job! The AROTC Department is proud of your accomplishments.

Raider Battalion’s Newest Commissionees
The Army ROTC program conducted one of its biggest commissioning ceremonies in recent memory this past June. As we know, AROTC is not an easy program; it takes dedication, hard work and self-discipline to excel. Through numerous leadership labs, challenging academic courses, rigorous physical training and intense summer training, these cadets have qualified to become Army Lieutenants, qualified to serve the nation and lead America’s Soldiers in her defense. Cadets John Bailey, Felix Castro, Brian Coaker, Jesse Dennison, Jeannetta McKinney, Aaron Willis, Seth Glazier, Christopher Kimmet, John Meyers, Brynne Tilley, and Bernhard Lastoskie completed the AROTC program and took the officer oath to serve in the United States Army. It was a very diverse group of commissionees with six serving in the active duty, three serving in the Army Reserves, and two selected for educational delay to pursue their professional degrees in medicine and theology. Good luck and best wishes to all our recent commissionees.

Raider Rangers Compete Well!
Ranger Challenge had a strong presence this fall, both on campus and at the competition. Ranger Challenge is a sports club that trains on Army tasks – land navigation, assembly/disassembly of the M16A2 basic rifle marksmanship, one rope bridge, hand grenade assault course, squad STX, and rigorous physical training – in order to develop technical and leadership skills in addition to competing against other schools. At the competition this year, the Raider Battalion’s Ranger Challenge team placed 16th out of 27, finishing 2nd on the rope bridge event. This year’s team was extremely young; a majority of the members were underclassmen, so next year’s team will be potentially very strong and competitive. Congratulations Ranger Challenge! Anyone interested in Ranger Challenge should contact Cadet Sraj, Captain of the Ranger Challenge Team.

Raider Color Guard Leads the Way!The Color Guard is the most visible aspect of AROTC. The Color Guard is responsible for conducting several military ceremonies pertaining to the National Colors. We participate in the National Anthem Ceremony prior to Raider basketball games and have a strong community presence. This SY, we will present the colors at nine basketball games with at least one joint Color Guard with Air Force ROTC on 26 November 2005. As last year, the team and coach, MSG Howard, plans to organize a female Color Guard to present the colors at several women’s’ basketball games. To be on the Color Guard team is quite an honor. It demands that cadets be knowledgeable and skilled in the customs and courtesies of the Army, drill and ceremony, and always maintain their military bearing. We consider it an honor to represent the United States of America. Anyone interested in Color Guard should contact Cadet James Wilson, Color Guard Commander.

Upcoming Events
Here are tentative key training dates for the winter quarter:

1) CWST is 24 Feb 06 from 0630-0800;

2) The Military Ball/Dining Out is 25 Feb 06 at the Holiday Inn on Colonel Glenn Hwy;

3) Our Leader Lab’s during the winter quarter will focus on STX lanes and OPORDs. We are scheduling a date in the middle of winter quarter to use the WPAFB obstacle/team building course; and

4) The Winter FTX will be an overnight event focusing on Garrison operations and using barracks. Some of the proposed sights would be WPAFB or Camp Atterbury IN. We would like to use some of the ranges there for BRM. This would probably be toward the end of the quarter when the weather is more favorable.

The Cadet S3 Shop will keep you posted as we lock in these dates in the upcoming weeks.

C/MAJ Zeno, Cadet S3 Officer

How to Contact Us:
328 Fawcett Hall, Wright State University
Dayton, OH 45435-0001
Additional information is at www.armyrotc.com and

www.wright.edu/academics/armyrotc