Semester Kickoff
22 August to 29 August 2007
By ADM Clark
The University of Arizona’s Army ROTC program, also known as the Wildcat Battalion, is off to a terrific start this school year. Returning Cadets along with a large number of newly enrolled students have been welcomed from the summer break to start a brand new year of exceptional training and invigorating opportunities.
On Wednesday, August 22nd, the Wildcat Battalion had their first Lab of the semester. The Army ROTC Labs are always on Wednesdays and it’s a time when all the Army Military Science (MS) classes come together since the lecture portion of all the MS classes meet at different times. For this Lab though, the Senior (MS IV) class hosted a “Meet and Greet” in the Lounge at South Hall with just the Junior (MS III) class. The Freshmen (MS I’s) and Sophomore (MS II’s) classes were busy in-processing and learning about scholarship options. All Meet and Greet participants enjoyed fresh, hot pizza and iced soft drinks, an amazing distraction from the 102-degree heat. The MS IV’s began the Meet and Greet by introducing themselves to the incoming MS III class and offering suggestions and advise for building strong leadership for the Freshmen (MS I) and Sophomores (MS II). The room erupted with laughter when Cadet Brittney Barnhart and the new Battalion Commander, Cadet John McGrath, were told to do pushups in front of the Cadets of both classes.
On Friday, August 25th, the Wildcat Battalion completed its first Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) of the 2007-2008 school year. Cadet Amelia Rutkowski, a returning MSII, explained that she finds the APFT extremely helpful for her physical development. Cadet Rutkowski states, “I use the APFT to gauge my physical abilities and to see where I need to improve over the course of the semester.” For individuals who were in the “open” enrollment Physical Fitness class, the APFT was given the following Monday and administered by the MSIV’s. The open enrollment APFT marked the very first APFT administered by the new class of MSIV’s who were excited by their new responsibilities. Cadet Megan Wagner explained that she was pleased to watch the camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed between the individuals participating in the APFT.
The next major event happened on Wednesday, August 29th, when all the Cadets and those interested in becoming Cadets really met as one group. Contracted Cadets and interested students mingled in the Games Room at Wilbur’s Underground in The University of Arizona’s Student Union. The purpose of the Lab was to assist the Cadets in becoming better acquainted with each other and also the Army ROTC program. The Lab was also the time the newly developed Peer Mentorship program was launched. Each Cadet was introduced to both their new mentor or to the Cadet they themselves would mentor. The Peer Mentorship program offers a great opportunity for each Cadet to learn from each other and to be guided through the Army ROTC program in a helpful and efficient manner.
The Wildcat Battalion is prepared for a great year of training and leadership development. All of the Cadets and students are anticipating the training which has been extensively planned to take place over the course of the new school year because they know it will help shape them into the leaders which are so abundant in The University of Arizona’s Army ROTC program.
22 August to 29 August 2007
By ADM Clark
The University of Arizona’s Army ROTC program, also known as the Wildcat Battalion, is off to a terrific start this school year. Returning Cadets along with a large number of newly enrolled students have been welcomed from the summer break to start a brand new year of exceptional training and invigorating opportunities.
On Wednesday, August 22nd, the Wildcat Battalion had their first Lab of the semester. The Army ROTC Labs are always on Wednesdays and it’s a time when all the Army Military Science (MS) classes come together since the lecture portion of all the MS classes meet at different times. For this Lab though, the Senior (MS IV) class hosted a “Meet and Greet” in the Lounge at South Hall with just the Junior (MS III) class. The Freshmen (MS I’s) and Sophomore (MS II’s) classes were busy in-processing and learning about scholarship options. All Meet and Greet participants enjoyed fresh, hot pizza and iced soft drinks, an amazing distraction from the 102-degree heat. The MS IV’s began the Meet and Greet by introducing themselves to the incoming MS III class and offering suggestions and advise for building strong leadership for the Freshmen (MS I) and Sophomores (MS II). The room erupted with laughter when Cadet Brittney Barnhart and the new Battalion Commander, Cadet John McGrath, were told to do pushups in front of the Cadets of both classes.
On Friday, August 25th, the Wildcat Battalion completed its first Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) of the 2007-2008 school year. Cadet Amelia Rutkowski, a returning MSII, explained that she finds the APFT extremely helpful for her physical development. Cadet Rutkowski states, “I use the APFT to gauge my physical abilities and to see where I need to improve over the course of the semester.” For individuals who were in the “open” enrollment Physical Fitness class, the APFT was given the following Monday and administered by the MSIV’s. The open enrollment APFT marked the very first APFT administered by the new class of MSIV’s who were excited by their new responsibilities. Cadet Megan Wagner explained that she was pleased to watch the camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed between the individuals participating in the APFT.
The next major event happened on Wednesday, August 29th, when all the Cadets and those interested in becoming Cadets really met as one group. Contracted Cadets and interested students mingled in the Games Room at Wilbur’s Underground in The University of Arizona’s Student Union. The purpose of the Lab was to assist the Cadets in becoming better acquainted with each other and also the Army ROTC program. The Lab was also the time the newly developed Peer Mentorship program was launched. Each Cadet was introduced to both their new mentor or to the Cadet they themselves would mentor. The Peer Mentorship program offers a great opportunity for each Cadet to learn from each other and to be guided through the Army ROTC program in a helpful and efficient manner.
The Wildcat Battalion is prepared for a great year of training and leadership development. All of the Cadets and students are anticipating the training which has been extensively planned to take place over the course of the new school year because they know it will help shape them into the leaders which are so abundant in The University of Arizona’s Army ROTC program.