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Two Clarion University ROTC cadets achieved great success at U.S. Army training programs they attended over the summer.
Dylan Cleveland, a senior majoring in Athletic Training, and Ashby Diaz, a sophomore Nutrition and Fitness major, both received outstanding ratings for their participation in the trainings.
Cadet Cleveland attended the four-week Advance Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he was ranked in the top 15 percent of his company of 150.
According to Captain Hamid Conteh, Military Science/ROTC assistant professor at Clarion, the purpose of the course “is to train U.S. Army ROTC Cadets to Army standards, develop their leadership skills and evaluate their officer potential”.
During Advance Camp, cadets are graded by Army officers and enlisted personnel. These evaluations play a huge factor in a cadet’s ranking and also helps determine the Order of Merit List (OML). OML placement will affect cadets’ assignments after being commissioned following graduation.
“Attending Advance Camp provided me the opportunity to meet and work with cadets from across the nation, sometimes during simulated stressful situations, and that has given me the leadership tools necessary to guide the younger ROTC students at Clarion,” said Cadet Cleveland.
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Ashby Diaz attended the Army’s ten-week Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Cadet Diaz was ranked one of the top two Soldiers (10%) of his battery of 219, receiving a certificate of achievement and graduating with honors.
BCT trains recruits in basic tactical and survival skills along with how to shoot, rappel, and march. They also learn the basics of Army life and military customs, including the Seven Core Army Values (Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity, and personal courage).
Recruits have the opportunity to work with highly trained Drill Sergeants, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) who have been chosen to shape recruits into the best soldiers in the world.
“I appreciate Clarion’s ROTC program and how it is preparing me for my future service in the military, both intellectually as well as physically,” said Cadet Diaz.
“Although Basic Training was a great experience for me, there is always room for improvement, and I plan to continue developing my personal leadership skills as much as possible while at Clarion.”
“I think the success these two cadets had over the summer speaks well of our program here at Clarion and shows the importance of building their confidence and sense of teamwork,” said Capt. Conteh.
“Our job as ROTC instructors is to provide students with the training and experience they need to have a successful future, whether they pursue an Army or a civilian career, and this is proof positive that Clarion’s program accomplishes that goal,” he adds.