This past Summer (2011) The Trojan

Warrior Battalion was by no means at home

letting days pass by to a perfectly good sum-

mer. Our Cadets were out busy conducting

and receiving valuable training all around the

country. Some cadets attended LDAC, Basic

Training, Airborne School, and Westpoint

Military Academy Summer Training; to

name a few. CONTINUED PAGE 4

N e w l y C o m m i s s i o n e d

L i e u t e n a n t s

T A B L E O F

C O N T E N T S

Word from the Top

3. Word from SMI

4. Summer 2011

Summer Continued

Summer Continued

Land Navigation

8. CWST/ PT Test

Feature Story

S u m m e r 2 0 1 1

Fall 2011 Newsletter OCTOBER

By Cadet Monica Rosario

V I R G I N I A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y

T R O J A N W A R R I O R B A T T A L I O N

On Thursday

September 15th, the Tro-

jan Warrior Battalion

had the honor of Recog-

nizing, Lieutenant

Campbell, Lieutenant

Clark, and Lieutenant

Williams for their on

campus commissioning

ceremony. These 3 ca-

dets were commissioned

and sworn in as end of

camp commissionees.

They were pinned by

family members that

were not fortunate to

make it across the coun-

try to Fort Lewis, Wash-

ington. Pinning of rank

on a newly commis-

sioned lieutenant is tra-

Ditionally performed by

individuals who have

had a positive influence

on the commissionee.

Family member or close

friends are usually cho-

sen by the commis-

sionee to pin on the

gold bars as a symbol of

stability and good luck.

Lieutenant Campbell

Is from Fairmont, NC, he

was pinned by his mother

Manthia Thompson, and

his sister Rasheena Cobb.

He will serve on active

duty as a Quartermaster

officer. His officer basic

course is at Fort Lee, Vir-

ginia. Lieutenant Clark

from Blackstone, Vir-

ginia was pinned by his

mother Cheryl Clark and

his father Carlton Clark

Jr. He will serve in the

Army Reserve as a Quar-

termaster officer. His of-

ficer basic course is at

Fort Lee, Virginia. Lieu-

tenant Williams from

Suffolk, Virginia was

CONTINUE PAGE 4

Above: LTC Maloney, LT Campbell, LT

Clark, LT Williams and MSG Knight.

ABOVE: Cadet Szabo inserting an IV to one of her

soldier's at CTLT.

Save The Date

*Homecoming vs.

Virginia Union Uni-

versity @ 130pm

(October 29th)

*Holiday Fun Run

(November 18th)

*December Com-

missioning

(December 16th)

By: Cadet Monica Rosario

S P E A C I A L

I N T R E S T

Trojan Warrior Battal-

ion’s Army ROTC Pro-

gram offers significant

benefits, including guar-

anteed job, paid- for

schooling, and invalu-

able experiences.

VSU’s Trojan Warrior

Battalions contact infor-

mation is posted on the

last page.

2

A W o r d f r o m t h e T o p

OCTOBER P a g e 2

Greetings to the cadets,

Alumni, family, friends and staff of

the Trojan Warrior Battalion and

the greater family of Virginia State

University!

I want to take this opportu-

nity to say thank you on behalf of

myself and my wife Valerie to eve-

ryone who has been so gracious and

kind in welcoming us to the Trojan

Warrior family. In particular, I want

to thank Dr. Keith Miller and the

First Lady Nicolette Miller for wel-

coming our family and for giving us

a chance to be a part of a campus

and university that is truly

“building a better world since

1882”.

As I step off into my first

year as the Chair of the Military

Science Department I take pause

to consider the immense responsibility of training the future leaders of our military. Here at the Trojan

Warrior Battalion our motto is “Train to Lead” and once trained and commissioned these future lieuten-

ants will have a key role in building that better world.

Whether it’s leading our sons and daughters into battle or planning humanitarian relief operations,

the future lieutenants of VSU will make a difference on the world stage.

This has been true since the very beginning of this battalion. One only has to walk the halls of the

Jesse Bolling Building to see the history, the experience and the tradition that reaches back 64 years to

understand how much every lieutenant has to live up to and the responsibility that awaits them. The cadre

and staff also understand how critical it is to “Train to Lead”. We owe it to that long line of Trojan War-

riors to ensure our cadets are ready for the day they pin on those lieutenant bars and raise their right

hands swearing an oath to carry on that tradition!

Valerie and I look forward to an exciting year and we look forward to being a part of Vir-

ginia State University!

LTC Dan Maloney

Chair, Military Science Department

Virginia State University

ABOVE: (Left to Right) SGM Seay, General Bingham, General Hodge, & LTC Maloney.

3

OCTOBER P a g e 3

A W o r d f r o m t h e T o p

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back the Trojan Warrior Battalion, espe-

cially the new members. I look forward to working with each and every one of you to achieve

your goals for the 2011- 2012 school year.

The expectations for the Trojan War Battalion are maintaining a good grade point average

(GPA), having self-discipline, and being in proper uniform and ready to train. In addition, Cadets

learn all they can before the Leadership Development & Assessment Course, because once you

are there it is too late to try to learn.

Congratulations to the seniors whom are about to embark on a new journey of their life as

you get closer to graduation and commissioning it doesn’t stop there. You are about to be en-

trusted with this nation’s sons and daughters, remember never be afraid to make a decision. The

Platoon Sergeant will be there to help guide you in the right direction. Juniors, continue to pre-

pare for the Leadership Development Course and stay focused at the task at hand, which is to

learn all you can about all the different areas. Sophomores, continue to train and work hard be-

cause you will be the next ones to go to the Leadership Development Course. I encourage you to

start now learning all the tasks that will make you successful, for example Land Navigation is a

big one that you must master. We need everyone to work together so we can take the Trojan War-

rior Battalion to a “Greater Height”

Senior Military Instructor

MSG Joseph Knight

ABOVE: MSG Joseph Knight

4

P a g e 4

Summer 2011 continued

OCTOBER

. They have persevered

through years of arduous

training, culminating with

their commissioning cere-

mony. The Trojan Warrior

Battalion truly wishes these

Lieutenants the best of luck.

CONTINUE FROM PAGE 1

Pinned by her sister Major

Robin Lee, and her father

father Walter Williams. She

will serve on active duty as a

Quartermaster officer. Her

officer basic course is at Fort

Lee, Virginia. They have per-

severed through years of ar-

ABOVE: LTC Maloney administering the

Oath of Officer.

ABOVE: LTC Maloney presenting Lieu-

tenant Campbell his commissioning

certificate.

BELOW: Lieutenant Clarke’s pinning.

Newly Commissioned Lieutenant’s Continued

The Leader Development

and Assessment Course (LDAC),

also known as Operation Warrior

Forge, is a 29 day course required

for all Army cadets who hope to

one day be Army lieutenants. This

course is the U.S. Army Cadet

Command's capstone training and

assessment exercise held at Joint

Base Lewis-McChord, Washington,

every summer. This Summer, June

The Trojan Warrior Battal-

ion sent the following 17

High Speed Cadets to face

the challenge of accom-

plishing LDAC:

Alves

Campbell

Caliextes

Chipchase

Clark

Gaskins

Ibrahiem

Juielienne

Mcgee

Mims

Pekenyande

Robinson

Rosario

Sheninger

Thorton

Szabo

Williams

ABOVE: 8th Regiment, Bravo Company, 2nd pla-

toon after the final ruck march.

ABOVE: Cadet Gaskins and battle buddies at

LDAC Graduation!!

RIGHT: Cadet

Rosario points at

Mount Reineer

on the Land Navi-

gation course at

LDAC.

5

My summer con-

sisted of 10 weeks of

Army Combat Training

at Fort Leonard wood

under the Missouri sun.

We learned, drilled, and

perfected many of the

crafts expected of a

United States Army sol-

dier. Skills such as Ba-

sic Riffle Marksman-

ship, Advanced Riffle

Marksmanship, F.O.B operations, U.S weapons,

and many others! I was also educated and

instilled with the Army’s heritage and

tradition that one really can’t enquire

without attending Basic Training. My

time at Fort Leonard Wood honed my

skills as well made me aware of my

weakness as a soldier and as a leader. Ba-

sic was a humbling experience I will

never forget and it is also one that

changes your view point on the world

around you.

Cadet Peterson

tary academy cadets

and exchange ideas

and experiences that

differ due to me be-

ing an ROTC cadet. I

received live weapons

training, Land naviga-

tion experience, Intro

to Patrolling, Squad

I attended West-

point Academy for Cadet

Field Training (CFT). I

went from the beginning

of June until the end of

July. This experience was

extremely challenging,

but amazing. I had the

opportunity to meet Mili-

STX. Most impor-

tantly I had an NCO

class that taught us the

importance of our

NCO's. The rigorous

training was well

worth it and i would

recommend others to

attend.

that I would never for-

get. The first week

opened up as ground

week, where we

learned basic parachute

landing falls. Then

training went on to

tower week, in which

we jumped from a 30’

and 250’ tower. Then

the best week came,

jump week! There is

no greater feeling in

the world than feeling

your parachute deploy

1500 feet in the sky!

Although it was hot

long days and cold

short nights I still en-

joyed the training. Air-

borne, there’s nothing

like it….ON EARTH!

My name Is

Cadet Justin Jennings

and I am a MSIII,

studying Criminal Jus-

tice. This past summer

I was awarded the op-

portunity to attend the

US Army Airborne

School at Ft Benning

GA. It was an adrena-

line rush experience

ABOVE: Cadet Bullock at West-

point training Graduation.

S u m m e r 2 0 1 1 C o n t i n u e d

W E S T P O I N T A C A D E M Y

P a g e 5

A - I - R - B - O - R - N - E ! ! ! !

ABOVE: Cadet Peterson at Basic

Training Graduation

F a l l 2 0 1 1

B A S I C T R A I N I N G

BELOW: Cadet Jennings at Air-

borne School Graduation

6

Cadet Troop Leading

Training is an experi-

ence where cadets can

shadow a newly com-

missioned lieutenant at

a real time active duty

unit for 3 to 4 weeks

and receive valuable

hands on training. This

give cadets a chance to

see what work life

could possibly be like

with in the next few

years for them. We

had 3 cadets attend in

different Army bases

around the country.

Cdt Szabo, Rosario,

and Chipchase. Here

are a few words from

Cdt Szabo and Cadet

Rosario on their ex-

perience of CTLT.

I learned so much be-

ing able to see what the

jobs of a lieutenant

were on a day to day

basis. I was able to

conduct PT, attend

meetings every week

with company com-

mander, my NCO’s

weekly meetings. I had

two things I liked the

most of my experience,

I attended CTLT in my

home town of Fort

Bragg. I shadowed

Lieutenant Daniels a

graduate of Fayetteville

State University (2009).

My experience con-

sisted of early mornings,

long days, and very

valuable experience I

will never be able to

obtain any other chance.

first I was able to get

CPR certified, and I was

among 5 females on the

entire bas of Fort Bragg

to test the new Army

Physical Fitness test. All

in all, I enjoyed my

times as a cadet, and be-

ing able to see the other

side of being a soldier in

my hometown where I

grew up.

this unit I experienced

so much to include:

EGRESS training (roll

over training), FTX

(Administering IV’s),

Loading and unloading

a casualty (HUM-V),

Convoy’s/ Motorpool

operations, XO Meet-

ing, training meeting,

and NCO meetings.

“One of the largest

tasks/ most important

tasks is to further de-

velop others.” With this

moto kept in mind I

was able to take advan-

tage of all the interest-

ing training they of-

fered and I was able to

spend a day at the

VET, which was just a

stepping stone to my

dream coming true.

I’m Cadet Shayla

Szabo and I am a Pre-

Veterinarian Med Ma-

jor. This summer I at-

tended CTLT in Fort

Bliss, Texas. I had the

opportunity of shadow-

ing LT Vega, & LT

King of the Charlie

Company Cobras Com-

bat Medical Unit. Dur-

ing my 3 weeks with

S u m m e r 2 0 1 1 C o n t i n u e d

P a g e 6

“It is your duty

as a leader to

train and prepare

your soldiers in

every aspect

possible- It

could save their

life.”

ABOVE: Cadet Szabo inserting

an IV to a solider.

F a l l 2 0 1 1

8 2 n d A i r b o r n e m e d i c

C o m b a t M e d i c i n T e x a s

ABOVE: Cadet Rosario

7

OCTOBER P a g e 7

LAND NAVIGATION

Land Navigation

is an essential tool for all

cadets to be able to pass

LDAC. Because of this

essential task the Trojan

Warrior Battalion makes

sure to give cadets

plenty of opportunities

to practice and pass

Land Navigation in nu-

merous courses around

the state of Virginia. On

September 10th, 2011,

was the first opportunity

for the Trojan Warrior

Battalion to test their

knowledge on Fort Lee’s

Land Navigation course.

Although it was most

cadets first time, it was a

major success. On Octo-

ber 1st, 2011, the Trojan

Warrior Battalion placed

their fears aside and

learned to have confi-

dence in their pace

counts and directions of

“Leadership is the

art of getting

someone else to do

something you want

done because he

wants to do it. ”

their compasses, as they

were placed on a diffi-

cult course at fort A. P.

Hill, Virginia. Everyone

was given the opportu-

nity to negotiate the

course by themselves.

MSIII’s had the chal-

lenge of negotiating the

course on their own

while MSI and MSII’s

were placed in small

groups with a strong and

confident MS IV to lead

them through the course.

Traveling through deep

waters, swamps, rocky

roads and thorn patches

cadets were given a

chance to test their will-

ingness, passion and de-

sire to commission in

the United States Army.

You can check out more

photo’s at our Facebook

site.

BELOW: Cadet’s at Fort A. P. Hill

Before they Take off for night Land

Navigation.

ABOVE: Cadet’s plot points before going out for day

Land Navigation.

ABOVE: Cadet’s Browne, Jennings, and Remis before

night Land Navigation

By: Cadet Monica Rosario

8

F a c i n g Y o u r

F e a r s

C W S T T r a i n i n g

OCTOBER P a g e 8

A P F T P t t e s t

each

event (50 points per event in

order to graduate Army Basic

Training). The Trojan Warrior

Battalions goal include cadets

maintaining a presentable

physical demeanor and remain

combat efficient.

On October 5th and 6th,

the Trojan

Warrior Battal-

ion tested their

physical capa-

bilities by ad-

ministering an

APFT. According to MSII,

Cadet Everett, the APFT was

a strenuous challenge that

caused him to exert muscles

he never really used before. “I

felt like I was doing more than

I did, those two minutes turn

into forever down there,” he

grinned. “Next time, I will

come back stronger”, he

APFT which stands for

Army Physical Fitness Test is a

test designed to measure the mus-

cular strength, endurance, and

cardiovascular respiratory fitness

of cadets in the Trojan Warrior

Battalion. Cadets are scored

based on their performance in

three events which are measured:

push-ups, sit-ups, and a timed two

-mile run. Cadets are required to

score a minimum of 60 points on

stated. The

next APFT will be conducted

on November 5th for MSIII’s

and November 7th for MS I

and MSII personnel. If you

wish to join the Trojan Warrior

Battalion, we are behind Foster

hall every Monday, Wednes-

day, and Friday. We encourage

students to come out and enjoy

working out with us. You can

check out more photo’s at our

ABOVE: Cadet Peterson pushing out his

pushups

BELOW: Cadet Ibrahim gives inspira-

tional congratulations with the MSI’s

& MSII’s after their PT test.

“PT is free, one

only gets what they

puts into it.”

Prior to commissioning all cadets are required to possess certain water

survival skills. CWST which stands for Combat Water Survival Training is a

thorough assessment of apprehending realistic scenarios one may come across as

a leader in the US Army. Each semester all cadets are required to attend a water

survival techniques class. All newly commissioned officers

must be able to swim. At LDAC, Water survival training is

essential in order to pass the entire course. It will be your

last phase, and for those not confident in CWST training, It

may be a challenge; but not for TROJAN WARRIOR’s.

There are various stations, the Cadets are tested in. They must successfully tread wa-

ter for 5 minutes, complete the don and ditch, swim 15 meters across the

pool with their weapon, and a blindfolded dive with possession of their

weapon. Every other Tuesday, CWST gives the Cadets in the Trojan War-

rior Battalion the opportunity to pass these events as a commissioning re-

quirement. You can check out more photo’s at our Facebook Site.

ABOVE: Cadet Friend

swiming.

RIGHT:

Cadet

Davis

JUMPS!!

By: Cadet Monica Rosario

By: Cadet Monica Rosario

9

like General Bingham,

Major General Hodge,

and SGM Seay, AIT

Soldiers from Fort Lee,

Retired Personnel, and

Trojan Warrior Battal-

ion cadets, just to name

a few. The Military

Appreciation celebra-

tion included the Tro-

jan Warrior Battalion

presenting the color

Guard at the beginning

of the game, Coin toss

by Major General

Hodge and fellow ac-

quaintances, Fort Lee

detachment firing the

canon, buses loaded

with AIT Soldiers from

Fort Lee. The Univer-

sity also took the time

On September 24th,

2011 the Trojan War-

rior Battalion along

with Students Athletics

had the honor of host-

ing the Annual Mili-

tary Appreciation foot

ball game. We played

and defeated the

Chowan Hawlks. This

game included guest

F E A T U R E S T O R Y : M I L I T A R Y

A P P R E C H I A T I O N G A M E

P a g e 9 F a l l 2 0 1 1 N e w s l e t t e r

to recognize some

wounded warriors while

the award winning Tro-

jan Explosion Marching

band played music fill-

ing the ear’s of the

crowd as they provided

good music for the en-

tire game. Check out our

Facebook Site for more

pictures.

Pictures taken by Cadet Jerrico Johnson

By: Cadet Monica Rosario

G O T R O J A N S ! ! !

10

Special Interest

Alumni, Friends, Faculty, & staff of VSU Army R.O.T.C. We are happy to welcome our

new column, “Messages From the Field.” We want to include your news in the alumni section,

where names of alumni are listed. Write to us about your recent location, awards, marriages, births

and other noteworthy accomplishments or changes. Be sure to include your graduation year and

contact information. “OLD” photographs are particularly interesting. If you have any, please email

them to LTC Dan Maloney at Dmaloney@vsu.edu Photographs are much appreciated and go a long

way to enhance our communication.

Cadet Rosario

Public Affairs Officer

Editor’s Corner

Past events

*Land Navigation (September 10th @ Fort Lee)

*Military Appreciation Foot Ball game (September 24th )

*Bake sale (September 28th )

*Social with LTC Maloney and Family (October 18th )

Up & Coming Trojan Warrior Battalion Training events

*Ranger Challenge (October 21st – 23rd)*

*Homecoming Parade & Game (October 29th)

*Physical Fitness APFT Test (November 2nd)

*Fall FTX (November 4th – 6th)

Contact information: Virginia State University Army ROTC

Business Address:

JB Bolling Building

Carter G. Wilson Avenue,

Petersburg, VA 23806

Office: (804) 524 5537

Fax: (804) 524 5844

Email: DMaloney@vsu.edu

Website: www.vsu.edu

Enrolment & Scholarship opportunities

Kimberly S. Miller

CPT, MS

Recruiting Operations Officer

(804) 524 5537 Office

(804) 524 5844 Fax

Email: KSMiller@vsu.edu

The Virginia State University Trojan Warrior

Battalion Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

(ROTC) Program is an award-winning, leader-

producing department that supplies future leaders

to the United States Army, community and busi-

ness world.

LEFT: VSU

ROTC LOGO

created by

Cadet

Dominic

Brown