THE LANCE Liberty Battalion Army ROTC Newsletter, Spring 2007 www.rotc.neu.edu

Cadet O’Dor, Cadet Peeples, Bill Rogers, Cadet Barrett, Cadet Hosmer

Hyannis Marathon

By Cadet Jordan Peeples

I joined ROTC during my 2nd semester at Boston College and I hadn’t really gotten to know my fellow Cadets so I looked forward to the trip to Hyannis. My decision to join ROTC was somewhat spontaneous and I wasn’t sure if the other Cadets were stereotypical ultra serious infantry hopefuls or just average students in it for the money. During the Physical Training sessions leading up to the race MSG Carlin would tell me to take it easy so I wouldn’t burn out for track (CDT Catherine Barrett and I also run varsity track and Cross Country for BC). MSG Carlin told me that MSIV CDT’s Joshua O’Dor and Cameron Hosmer were intentionally increasing the pace during speed intervals in order to strengthen my endurance. I listened to MSG Carlin’s advice, but the instant one of the alpha team runners picked up the pace I was right with them. CDT’s O’Dor, Hosmer and myself, with the addition of CDT Barrett, who trained with bravo team, made our way to the Hyannis mixed team marathon not just to run the race, but to win.

Before the race I didn’t think I would have pre-race jitters considering this race wouldn’t exactly have the stacked field of a typical NCAA meet, but while I waited to receive the baton from CDT Barrett, I was consumed with nervousness. This time I wasn’t nervous for myself, but for my teammates. For some reason I felt a closer bond to these 3 runners who I had just met a month ago than I did to my own cross-country team. Perhaps it is because we were not only running for ourselves, but also for CPT Tashiro and MSG Carlin, the Army, Boston College, and most importantly for each other. CDT O’Dor gave us a good lead in the beginning that CDT Barrett maintained before passing the baton to me. Despite physically running my 7.3 mile leg alone I could feel and hear my teammates beside me. Even though there was no competition insight I knew that slowing down was not an option. In fact, after going all out during regular PT sessions the thought of slowing down never even crossed my mind. Before I knew it my leg was over and I joined the others in an anxious wait for CDT Hosmer to tie the knot on our win. (Cont’d on page 2)

Page 2 The LANCE – Spring 2007

PMS Corner

By LTC John McClellan “The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the followers. Are the followers reaching their potential? Are they learning? Serving?” -- Max Dupree It has been another fast-paced semester in pursuit of leadership excellence in the Liberty Battalion! Many of you have risen to the challenge and are that much closer to reaching your own leadership potential. For some of you that means the challenge of the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) - 21 Cadets will be at Fort Lewis this summer for Warrior Forge 2007. For others, it may be your first co-op, or a study abroad trip; an internship or the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP).

Liberty Battalion Cadet teams once again excelled this spring. Both companies fielded teams for the Norwich University USMC “Recon Challenge” – and although the official results are not yet in, each team did an outstanding job in the grueling event described by MSG Wentworth as “a smoker!” Cadets Joshua O’or, Cameron Hosmer, Catherine Barrett and Jordan Peeples from the BC Company, completed a marathon relay in 2:41 minutes in February – winning 1st prize for this event for a mixed-gender team!

Many of our Cadets will serve others this summer, through various internships and summer training opportunities. Cadets Katherine Deteso, Maura Leo and Jeremy Schiel are bound for NSTP where they’ll serve Army Soldiers and Families as patients. Cadet William Shirer has an Olmsted scholarship posting in Brazil, while Cadets Anthony Tolisano and Charles Riley are interning with Army Medical Cmd in Hawaii. Cadets Kelly Sullivan, Jonathan Janiec, Dennis Geary and John Kilcoyne are all expecting to study abroad this summer, where they will learn more about the language and culture of our global neighbors.

Liberty Battalion Cadets garnered a number of individual honors at the Annual Awards Ceremony. Joseph Aoun, President of Northeastern, spoke sincerely of his admiration and support of all the Cadets of the battalion, while presenting the President’s Award to Cadet Daniel Rippey, as the top NU Cadet. Dean Michael Ryan of Boston College represented the Chancellor and presented Cadet Joshua O’dor with the equivalent award from BC. Cadet O’dor also represented the Liberty Battalion at the 2007 ROTC Marshall Awards and

Conference as the battalion’s #1 Cadet overall year. Perhaps most impressive was the stage full of Cadets when we read off the individuals on the ROTC “Dean’s List” (3.5 GPA) – roughly 1/3 of our Cadets!

Many new faces joined the Liberty Battalion this spring. Cadets Caitlin McGowan and Christopher Barden, are newly contracted, while Cadets Matthew Bergeron, Paul Chong, Daniel Hjeltnes and Jordan Peeples are weighing their options. One exceptional friend of the Liberty Battalion who spent the whole year training with us (without the stipend or book money) was Todd Rich, who completed his senior project in photography and held an impressive gallery showing in early April. His lead photo, entitled “Heroes” won top honors in his program. We are also awaiting the NUTV broadcast of their coverage of the Spring FTX.

After 4 years, we’re saying farewell to a mainstay of the battalion – especially when it comes to monster PT and “gittin ‘er done” – none other than our Senior Military Instructor, MSG Ted Carlin. MSG Carlin has given the Liberty Battalion 110% of his heart and soul in the past four years, and will be sorely missed. He and his family are moving on to Fort Hood, TX, where undoubtedly he’ll soon be serving as a battalion Command Sergeant Major. Some of you may be fortunate enough to serve with MSG Carlin again. Also leaving us this summer after 3 years are CPT Ben Randazzo, MAJ Matt Mercadante and MAJ Brook Lee. Our best wishes to all the departing members of our great team!

There remains much work to do to prepare this battalion for the planned expansion of the program. New Cadre will be arriving shortly. Next year, we’ll have a new Cadet Handbook, most of our Cadets in ACUs, and we’ll also start seeing some more modern equipment. Cadet Command has taken the lid off the scholarship caps – so we’re looking to have 100+ Cadets and we can still offer as many on-campus scholarships as there are qualified, motivated, applicants – keep looking! ARMY STRONG! v/r Liberty 6

Hyannis Marathon (Cont’d from page 1)

Alpha team’s little game paid off. In the end CDT Hosmer finished the 26.2 mile relay in 2:40:26, over 10 minutes before the next teams anchor runner. After the post race party we received our awards from none other than the living legend Bill Rogers, the last American to win the Boston Marathon. Then, since we were on Cape Cod, we grabbed some seafood before we hit the road. Despite easily winning the mixed team relay we lost to the all male

relay team. It would be highly unusual for a mixed team to beat an all male team, but with CPT Tashiro and MSG Carlin’s enthusiasm and alpha team’s PT mentality, the next race BC ROTC competes in may not be so usual. The trip confirmed that ROTC was the right place for me and I learned that my fellow Cadets were not stereotypical military machines, but they weren’t only average students either.

The LANCE – Spring 2007 Page 3

Boston College Leadership Labs

By Cadet Brain Harper

Prior to the scheduled return of regular Boston College students on January 14, 2007, Boston College Army ROTC Cadets arrived back on campus from Winter break no later than January 11, 2007 in order to prepare for their first major training event of the Spring Semester: the company-wide training lab at Camp Curtis Guild. Cadets and Cadre assembled outside of the Flynn Recreational Complex (the ‘plex’) at 0600 on January 12th to begin training and transportation to Camp Curtis Guild. Upon arrival to Camp Curtis Guild the Cadets of Boston College Company were shown to their racks, provided with coffee and doughnuts for breakfast, and briefed on the events and classes they would expect for the next two full days of training. After B.C. Company welcomed back Cadet O’Dor from study abroad, Cadet Higgins and others were awarded complementary B.C. Army ROTC pocket knives for their exemplary academic work and superb Army Physical Fitness Test scores. Cadet Barrett, a first-year Cadet, who achieved a spectacular 4.0 in the Fall Semester, proudly received B.C. Company’s ‘Best Cadet’ award. Following the morning briefing, B.C. cadets immediately began training and classroom instruction. Cadets Riley, Schiel, and Deteso provided excellent and competent instruction in first-aid procedures. Cadet Deteso instructed

MSI and MSII Cadets in Medical Evacuation Procedures, while Cadets Riley and Schiel instructed Cadets on how to deal with burns and bandages. Senior Cadets Flanders and Rosser instructed MI and MSII Cadets in ambush and bunker knock-out skills, respectively. MIII Cadet Cisto tutored Cadets in M16 assembly and maintenance, as well as Claymore Mine emplacement. Day one of training concluded with a challenging, but rewarding night Land Navigation Course. Day Two, January 13th, was devoted entirely to STX (Squad Tactical Exercise) Lanes training and STX skills development. All MSIII Cadets were evaluated in leadership positions in varying scenarios including bunker knock-out, ambush, and reconnaissance drills. MSII cadets received valuable experience in limited leadership roles and MSI utilized their skills in AT-4 and Claymore Mine implementation. The training event concluded with an interactive After Action Review (AAR) where all Cadets could voice their opinions and recommendations on the past two days of training. B.C. Army ROTC Cadets were returned to campus at approximately 1600 on January 13, a little cold and wet, as well as tired, but also with a sense of satisfaction from the last two days and a sense of purpose for the upcoming semester.

Green to Gold By Cadet Katie Rosen

Cadet Rosen, SMA Preston, and unidentified PFC

(Story on page 4) Page 4 The LANCE – Spring 2007 Most Cadets joined the Liberty Battalion after learning about ROTC during their freshman or sophomore years. However, the battalion may also enroll Cadets through what the Army calls the Green-to-Gold Program, which allows for qualified enlisted Soldiers to leave active duty early in order to further their education through ROTC. The scholarship is competitive, and is now offered for one to four years for undergraduate degrees, and two years for graduate programs. I learned about the Green-to-Gold scholarship while I was stationed in Seoul, Korea, on a post known as "Yongsan," which translated means "Dragon Hill." I applied to earn my master's degree from Northeastern University. I received the scholarship after being stationed in Korea for two years. During my tour of Korea I was in the Adjutant General Corps, which is the field of human resources. As a junior enlisted soldier (which includes grades E1-E4), I learned many technical skills pertaining to my field. Our normal hours were 0900-1700 Monday through Friday, plus we did physical training (PT) four days during the week. Once I got used to it, being in the Army is much like having a normal job. On Thursdays, my unit had "Sergeants' Time Training." During the morning, we would conduct training much like we did during the labs in ROTC. However, other than PT and our Thursday training, my time in the Active Duty Army was nothing like being in ROTC.

I first noticed the laid-back atmosphere in ROTC. While I was in Korea, we could not talk in formation. And, any time we talked to an NCO (unless we were in the office) we stood at "parade rest." I was also surprised by the number of Cadets that wanted to join the infantry, and the time that ROTC spends on infantry related exercises. Although in ROTC, we spend much of the year on situational training exercises (STX), and land navigation, I only saw this in training courses, such as basic combat training, for a limited amount of time. The one thing that is comparable is the amount of camaraderie. While on active duty in Korea, I became close to my friends, that even after returning to the states, I still maintain frequent contact with them. If I can offer any advice to Cadets who are looking toward a career in active duty, it is to respect the technical knowledge of soldiers. As a Specialist, I knew the ins-and-outs of my day-to-day job better than anyone, and I can say the same for my peers. Yet, many people (civilians and military alike) tried to change our processes, or never asked our advice. The key is to respect what soldiers are good at, and learn from them just as they can learn from you. Although the transition from active duty to ROTC was challenging, it is a great opportunity. I hope that all of the Cadets in the battalion realize the importance of their scholarships, and their future duties.

Recon Challenge

By: Cadet Jordan Sweet

Friday, April 13th marked the second time that Liberty Battalion Army ROTC participated in Recon Challenge at Norwich University in Northfield, VT. Northeastern Cadets were representing NU’s second year participating in the event, and Boston College were participating for its first time. The vans arrived in the evening and the Cadets were given a quick tour of the accommodations. BC spent much of the rest of the night watching a movie and NU watched a few Ultimate Fighting matches before bedding down in a large classroom. Saturday morning, the Cadets woke up and readied themselves for the day’s events, weighing rucksacks and making sure that essential items were accessible. After a few briefings the teams found out the necessary details. Recon Challenge consisted of a 4 mile ruck run, 200 pull-ups and 800 crunches per team, 3 mile run, 1250m team swim, combat endurance course, and a 7 mile ruck march all of which would be in the snow that was still on the ground. The Liberty Battalion Cadets had been training all semester for the challenge; nevertheless the list of events was intimidating. The teams were randomly selected for their starting position and were staggered by two minutes. BC’s team consisting of Cadets Harper, Jenzer, Rosser and Hosmer was twelfth to start. NU Alpha team consisting of Cadets Vaeni, Pfundstein, Denninger, and Sweet started seventeenth and Bravo team consisting of Cadets Cote, Lopez, Waxman, and

Hickey started twenty-ninth out of thirty teams. Cadet Siegfried was the alternate for NU’s teams and took part in the second half of the events with Bravo team. The first ruck was just a walk in the park for the extremely fit teams. The pace was quick and every step motivated the teams for the next events. The teams knew they were in for a rough day after knocking out the pull ups, however. After speeding through crunches using an efficient system of pairing up and alternating Cadets, the three mile run went almost as quickly as the first ruck. The teams were starting to feel the effects of the constant workout on their bodies, however. Cadets knew that they couldn’t slack on the swim. As Alpha team hustled to the pool, MSG Wentworth offered some motivation, “We’re just going to the beach, right guys?” The stretcher carry led teams across a large field covered in snow to the base of a very steep incline. The meandering trail that led up the side of the mountain was fairly slippery. At the top of the trail, a low crawl under wire through the snow added a tough mental as well as physical obstacle to overcome. The last seven mile ruck was an incredibly challenging event. Sandbags were added to the rucks, surely more than double the weight of the previously required fifteen pounds. The teams took advantage of flat ground by running, but the whole first half was uphill. The uphill was (Cont’d Page 5)

The LANCE – Spring 2007 Page 5 grueling; Cadets found themselves lifting their legs by pulling their pant legs up with their arms. After the turn-around, it was almost all mental. The downhill carried competitors and everyone was excited to finish. Among Northeastern and Boston College, teams also came from the Coast Guard Academy, University of New Hampshire, and Rensselaer Polytech. The Liberty Battalion Cadets that competed are grateful to MSG Wentworth and CPT Tashiro for transportation.

As a freshman, I had no idea what to expect. Not only was I new to the event, but I was new to the team format and the Army camaraderie. Going into it, I wasn’t sure I could last all four hours, but my fellow Cadets helped me push through. Every time we passed another team, we surged forward with a new burst of energy. Just being out there pushing my body to the limit was motivating and I am just glad that I finished.

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Liberty Battalion Awards Ceremony

By Cadet Elaine Miller

Each year the Liberty Battalion holds an awards ceremony to recognize many of its outstanding cadets by awarding scholarships, certificates, and ribbons, for achievement in academics, ROTC, and more. This year’s ceremony was held on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 on the campus of Northeastern University’s. Cadre and Cadets from Northeastern University, Berkley College of music, Boston College, Suffolk University and Wentworth Institute of Technology were joined by numerous friends and family members as well as alumni and representatives of the various organizations who provided awards and scholarships to celebrate the many accomplishments of the Cadets of Liberty Battalion.

The key note speaker of the evening was Northeastern University’s newest President, Joseph E. Aoun. President Aoun praised the ROTC program and the many fine young men and women, from all of the Liberty Battalion campuses. It was a pleasure to have President Aoun’s presence and continued support. The Annual Awards Ceremony is a time for cadets to be proud of their many accomplishments in both academics and ROTC. More than 40 awards were presented to over 60 cadets.

Liberty Battalion Military Ball

By Cadet La'Tice Higgins

The Military Ball is a tradition for Liberty Battalion's Cadets in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. The Military Ball is held annually on the first Friday of every February. As a new MSII I was unsure as to the manner in which the night would unfold, but it was a first experience that I will forever treasure and remember. Upon arriving at the Ball all of the Cadets received a chance to socialize and interact with one another outside of our usual weekly environment of Physical Training and Military Skills courses. The night began with a toast honoring Lieutenants that are currently serving our country abroad who entered the Army through the ROTC program. The toast helped to provide a sentiment of unity and harmony amongst Liberty Battalion, reminding us that although we have come from different schools we are all Cadets in the same Army. Following the toast the Boston College drill team presented a route choreographed by Cadet William Shirer. The drill team presentation was an entertaining attribute of the night, and the most uplifting and inspiring portion of the night came when Captain Paul Bucha delivered his speech. Captain Paul Bucha's speech was filled with encouraging words of wisdom and an amazing tale of gallantry. His speech did not cater exclusively to cadets, but extended to reach every individual in the room. His rich account of being a young soldier in the military reinforced my confidence in being a Cadet. The demands of being a college student and

participating in the most prominent program in the country can be overwhelming. Captain Bucha's speech provided the words of encouragement that were necessary to help me, as well of the rest Liberty Battalion, to remain highly motivated. Following Captain Bucha's speech the seniors entered the Military Ball for the last time as Cadets to receive their duty stations. Individually each senior, from Liberty Battalion, entered the hall where the Military Ball was held. Watching the entire senior class standing together for the last time and receiving their duty stations was exciting as well as frightening. The exciting portion came in watching the familiar faces that I have interacted with for a year progress onto the next stage of their Army careers. The frightening part was considering that within two years I would be taking their place on the center of that same stage. I gazed at their uniforms and the array of ribbons they have each acquired over the years, with the hope and aspiration that by my senior year Military Ball I would be able to emulate the same military leadership skills the seniors have acquired. The Liberty Battalion ROTC Military Ball of 2007 was inspiring as well as exciting. Cadets received the opportunity to watch Boston College's amazing drill team perform, to hear Captain Bucha speak of his personal courage and experiences as a military officer, and to watch the seniors progress onto the next stages of their Army careers.

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NU Leadership Labs

By Cadet Michael Lopez

Initially, it sounded like a terrible idea. Another weekend committed to ROTC training. That notion seemed to be the consensus as word spread that this semester’s labs would be conducted at a weekend training event. But then it hit us. “If we give up this one weekend, we’ll get to sleep in every other Thursday for the rest of the semester where before we would have been up before the sun”. We were quickly more than willing to make the sacrifice. Lab training is an essential part of the ROTC experience. It’s where Cadets learn and develop soldiering skills that will help them not only earn their desired branch, but will also help them in their future careers as Army Officers. Labs are used to teach Cadets tasks like first aid, land navigation, squad & platoon movement techniques, offensive & defensive tactics, and how to use a radio to call in; situation reports or support fire. On the frigid weekend of 20JAN07, Northeastern Company Cadets traveled to Camp Curtis Guild, in for what was called the “Spring Labs FTX” or Field Training Exercise. The mastermind of the training event, CDT Brian Vaeni, designed the labs to present pertinent information in a “crawl, walk, run” format. Rotating through stations MS-I’s, II’s, and III’s would attend classes taught by senior MS-IV Cadets. During the “crawl” phase of training, concepts and information was presented on power-point slides and an assortment of other visual aids. Cadets Rippey and Miller gave a class on platoon movement, focusing on fire team, squad, and platoon

formations. They also instructed Cadets on how to cross danger areas. Cadets Mendoza and Sullivan gave a class on offensive tactics focusing on the proper way to assault an objective once you’ve made contact. Cadets McKenney and Irvine gave a class on defensive tactics focusing on patrol base operations. Finally, Cadets Beecy and Cote gave a class on radio communication, how and when to call in reports and how to call for support fire. During the “walk” phase, MS-IV Cadets transitioned the classes into small-scale practical exercises, where they asked questions, quizzed, and had Cadets perform simple tasks on an individual basis. Lastly, the “run” phase culminated into a series of mock Squad Tactical Exercise lanes or STX lanes led by MS-IV Cadets. Each Cadet was given an opportunity to apply the new skills he or she learned throughout the weekend. Squad sized elements of 10-12 Cadets moved as cohesive units through thick terrain, applied first aid knowledge to mock casualties, assaulted objectives, and called in reports to higher command. The real-world simulations were a great way to see why these skills are essential. The weekend was regarded by all as a great success. The innovative training plan proved to be an effective and efficient way to teach vital information while taking into consideration the rigorous schedules that ROTC Cadets face on a weekly basis. There wasn’t one Thursday that I got a chance to sleep in, that I wasn’t thankful for the training we accomplished that cold weekend in January.

NU’s 2007 Commissioning Ceremony

By Cadet Nadine Deery

Spring. It brings so many things—birds, bees, warm weather, baseball, cookouts, crowds and concerts on the Charles…and a whole new batch of second lieutenants. This year, the Liberty Battalion will proudly send another group of bright young men and women to join the ranks of the biggest, baddest gang this country has to offer. This year’s Northeastern commissioning ceremony was held at 10:00 am Friday, May 4, 2007, at Boston’s Faneuil Hall. Named after Peter Faneuil, a wealthy merchant who provided funds for its construction, the hall has served as a marketplace and meeting hall since 1742. The grasshopper weathervane modeled on the one atop the London Royal

Exchange has become a well-known symbol of Boston. The site of many rallying speeches by Samuel Adams and others before and during the Revolutionary War, Faneuil Hall has become a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places The eight cadets, from Northeastern University, commissioning on this day were Sarah Beecy, Pierce Cote, Zachary Geneseo, Lucas Irvine, Ethan McKenney, Daniel Rippey, Shaun Sullivan, and Brian Vaeni. We offer them our congratulations and wish them the best of luck as they embark on their new careers as second lieutenants in the United States Army.

The LANCE – Spring 2007 Page 7

NU Company Welcomes Captain Parshall

By Cadet Dave Denninger

Proud graduate of Norwich University’s class of ’94, Captain Thomas P. Parshall is one of the newest additions to the Northeastern Company Cadre. After receiving his degree in International Studies, he was put on Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) and started a civilian career working in security management. CPT Parshall is an active member of the community, with associations to the Free Masons, local religious groups, and the Somerville VFW. He said that he is, “happy to be in a role that influences the future leaders of the Army, and ensures that they receive the best training.” In the summer of ’95 CPT Parshall graduated from the Military Police Officer Basic Course at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and later moved to Boston where he took another security management position with Fleet Bank, which he would maintain through April 2005. In the spring of ’98 he was called up and initially assigned to the 2/310 Infantry as an observer / controller, but later that year was made Platoon Leader of the 94th Military Police Company. He was deployed to Bosnia in July 2000 to support Operation Joint Forge / Stabilization Force 8 (SFOR8) until April 2001 when he returned to Boston, at which point he was assigned to the 167th Corps Support Group (CSG). Based out of Londonderry, New Hampshire, the 167th CSG is a logistics

management brigade. During his time with them, CPT Parshall served as a rear area operations officer. In early 2002 he resumed training in the form of the Military Police Officer Advanced Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and in spring ’03 was called up again as a Force Protection Officer, where his job was to develop force protection plans and conduct physical security inspections of reserve centers in five New England States. Later that year CPT Parshall graduated from Combined Arms Services Staff School (CAS3) and was mobilized to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. After spending three months at Fort Drum, New York, he was deployed to Tikrit, Iraq and served again as a Force Protection Officer and Battle Captain with the 167th CSG. While there, he was collocated with the 1st Infantry Division, and managed the tactical operation center for a brigade level unit that oversaw more than 3,500 logistics soldiers. In April ’05 he returned to Somerville, Massachusetts and assumed command of the 342nd Military Police Detachment based out of Fort Devens, MA, where he led a 45 soldier law enforcement unit. Most recently, CPT Parshall accepted a position here at Liberty Battalion as an assistant professor of Military Science, and company advisor.

Liberty Battalion Bids Farwell to MSG Carlin

By Liberty Battalion Cadets

Over the past 4 years, the Liberty Battalion has been fortunate enough to have one of the most professional, dedicated, motivated, and, as he has proved on countless long runs and sprint workouts, physically fit and driven Non-Commissioned Officers to serve as the Senior Military Instructor for our ROTC contingent. Unfortunately, MSG Ted Carlin’s time with the Cadets of the Battalion has come to an end, and his return to the Regular Army where he will ultimately ply the same talents, knowledge, and incomparable work ethic to a new unit. MSG Carlin’s stay with the Battalion has been a fruitful one not just for the Cadets of the Battalion, but as MSG Carlin himself notes, a tremendous opportunity to hone and develop his own skill set in an attempt to not only make himself marketable to professional civilian outfits in anticipation of a retirement from service that is arriving faster than he would like it to, but also to make him a more effective Soldier while his stay as a 19Z (Senior Armor Sergeant) and a Cavalry Scout by trade lasts. In fact, while here at the Battalion over the past 4 years, MSG Carlin was selected by the Sergeants Major promotion board on three separate occasions – each time, he turned the opportunity down. In part, he did this because he loves working with Cadets and helping to produce some of the finest

future officers the Army can expect to add to its ranks in the coming years and already has working away in support of operations around the world. However, he also made the decision to stay in order to finish a degree at Northeastern University that he set out to complete with his typical zeal and drive. It came as no surprise to many that by the end of his course work over the span of the previous two years, MSG Carlin graduated from Northeastern University’s School of Continuing Professional studies at with a GPA of 3.875 with a BS in Leadership, and was resultantly named the #1 senior in his graduating class, a title that was accompanied with the award of the Hodgkinsons’ Award and, as he noted, a $1500 cash check as result (every little bit counts!). But aside from his personal and professional development in the school halls, MSG Carlin has achieved a tremendous amount while serving with the Battalion outside of positively influencing every Cadet he encounters. MSG Carlin can proudly say he is now a two-time gold medalist recipient of the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFBMP), an event I know personally to be demanding enough that I have no interest in repeating my own performance (no one should be (Cont’d on Page 8)

Page 8 The LANCE – Spring 2007

MSG Carlin challenged himself and do it twice, however). Additionally, MSG Carlin completed the world-famous and giant-killing Boston Marathon twice, with his own personal best time clocking in at 4 hours and 2 minutes. And while these peripheral achievements sit highly with MSG Carlin, he will always site his work with the Cadets to perpetually influence and mold our leadership styles and techniques for the better as his most important achievement. I’m sure he would agree that the knowledge he has had a hand in developing the Army’s future officer leadership is enough reward in and of itself, but the Battalion believes he is deserving of more than just the personal satisfaction in return for the countless hours he put into his position – hours away from his lovely family including his wife Dana, and two children, Brock and Luke. As a result, as a parting thank you, MSG Carlin has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his significant contribution to the Cadets of Liberty Battalion, and rightfully so. Never being able to escape from the leader’s mentality, MSG Carlin offered a few parting words of advice to the Cadets of the Battalion. He has worked to both teach and live his leadership philosophy, and he wanted to ensure that if he hasn’t been clear enough in his directives, we understood what he has been attempting to impart to us over the years. Very simply, MSG Carlin indicated “at the root of Warrior Ethos and leadership development, be wary of danger in comfort. For reasons of developing respect, for the purpose of being in line with Army’s Warrior Ethos, never adopt an attitude where you begin to settle. People who don’t always work to improve themselves or the people around them ultimately are the one that aren’t reliable, the ones that never get things done that are supposed to get done.” Additionally, MSG Carlin believes “leading by example is the only way – to do so, you MUST share in adversity of subordinates.” If any of you reading this haven’t heard MSG Carlin speak these words in the past, take them to heart now – they are at the core of his own personal success and what he believes is central to many of the success stories he has witnessed in his lifetime. With his degree completed by then end of the ’06 school year, many of us remember speaking candidly with MSG Carlin about his future plans. Among the possible pursuits he said interested him were a position as a gym teacher, imparting his knowledge on leading a fit lifestyle to America’s youth, or perhaps retiring to upstate New York (where MSG Carlin is originally from) to live retired life off the land as a carpenter and furniture maker, cutting his own timber and

furnishing his own woodwork. However, each of these options required a separation from the Army (and, in the latter case, permission from his wife), an institution that MSG Carlin has known and loved for over 20 years now. His admiration of Soldiers, his love of working with some of the most professional individuals he’s had the pleasure of meeting, and the value he sees and reward he receives for serving his country were overwhelming. As a result, MSG Carlin turned away from the possibility of retiring and instead committed himself to extending his career for just a few more years, finally accepting his selection to be promoted to the rank of SGM (which he believes is imminently arriving in August after the promotion board convenes in June), and having the opportunity to continue to work with the best and brightest this nation can offer. In return, on June 25, MSG Carlin is packing his belongings, his family, and his cat into a Super Mover U-Haul and (his own words) the “Carlin Hillbillies” are driving their way to Georgetown, Texas where their newly constructed home (all that’s left to put in is the pool) awaits them – the last the Carlins will be moving to, MSG Carlin indicates, as his wife has family in the area and would like to settle down close to her home. From there, MSG Carlin will take on his new position with the 4th BDE, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, where MSG Carlin expects to serve either as a BDE-level Operations NCO or, his hope, as a First Sergeant. Effectively, MSG Carlin will be in a holding pattern until the SGM board releases its results and gives him a school date, which in all likelihood will be a few months after the results are released. Depending on the deployment schedule for the 4th ID, MSG Carlin may not have a chance to make it to the Sergeants Major Academy before he gets orders to head to Asia Minor, but as he noted, he’s ready and willing to delay the promotion in order to head to either one of the major conflict areas and take up the fight alongside his brothers and sisters in arms. Whatever the case may be, the gaining unit is receiving a tremendously professional and capable soldier and a truly remarkable human being. He has become more than just a mentor but a friend to many of us (my class has had the esteemed pleasure of having had MSG Carlin to work with all four years of our participation in ROTC, the only class to have done so), and he will be missed sorely by all. Good luck in all your future endeavors, MSG Carlin, you deserve only the best the Army and life can offer you. And never forget the FIT factors…

Dana & MSG Carlin

The LANCE – Spring 2007 Page 9

Liberty Battalion Bids Farwell to MAJ Mercadante

By Matt Benedetti “I have no doubt that the personnel in the Liberty Battalion are among the best in the country. They should hold their heads high, be proud and know that they are doing something extremely important for our country,” said MAJ Matthew Mercadante, Executive Officer of the Liberty Battalion. After almost three years at Northeastern University, MAJ Mercadante will be moving on. The Norwich University graduate and current XO will conclude his service on campus this summer. MAJ Mercadante has enjoyed his tenure working with the staff, cadre and Cadets of the Liberty Battalion. “Coming from Norwich, a military environment, we felt that we were head and shoulders above everyone else. When I arrived here, I realized that it is not the case,” recalled MAJ Mercadante. “After spending time with the cadets at LDAC and Warrior Forge it became apparent that they are as proficient as any in the country,” he said. “The Cadets here possess outstanding leadership skills and are as motivated and energetic as any I have seen. Also, having to balance their academic and ROTC requirements is a challenge,” observed Maj. Mercadante. Born in Ft. Monmouth, N. J. and raised in Shrewsbury, Mass., MAJ Mercadante has been in the Army for 11 years and served in northern Kuwait protecting base camps during 2004. He began his tour at NU in October 2004 and became keenly aware of the importance of training the next generation of Army officers. The development progress of the cadets speaks to the success of the ROTC program. “Initially, some cadets look as if they will have a tough time but through the course of our training, they rapidly develop their leadership abilities,” said MAJ Mercadante.

“Other cadets arrive and seem awesome, but for whatever reason fall by the wayside. I am not accustomed to students that try out the program and leave, that is still a shock,” noted Mercadante. “I think that they might regret that decision down the road,” he said. “The Cadets in the battalion are outstanding and are doing something not everyone can do,” lauded MAJ Mercadante. “You really have to want it and possess a certain mental capability as well as a degree of toughness within you to accomplish the program.” He continued, “You have to demonstrate a level of personal courage to successfully earn a commission with the Liberty Battalion.” Matt enjoyed working with all of his colleagues. Sheila Hutchins was particularly helpful in the beginning. “Her experience is invaluable. If I didn’t know the answer, she always did,” he recalled. He will always remember having his major rank pinned by LTC John McClellan, Professor of Military Science at the Liberty Battalion. “I had only met him once, before I went to LDAC, but Col. McClellan took time out of his schedule to travel out to the field and pin on my major rank and congratulate me,” he recalled. “I had never had a boss do anything like that and was impressed by the gesture.” Major Mercadante and his wife Martha have two children, Louis, 4 and Mario, 1. He will be head to Ft. Riley, KS in August and deploy overseas in November.

Liberty Battalion Bids Farwell to MAJ Lee

By Cadet Frank Moy This part March, Liberty Battalion welcomed back Major Brook Lee after he returned from a tour of duty in Iraq with the Iraqi Assistance Group. Major Lee’s next assignment will be the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. There, Major Lee will take a ten-month course where he will learn how to run a staff at the battalion and brigade level. In addition, Major Lee will learn about current Army doctrine which, as he explained, is ever-changing. When Major Lee was a lieutenant, it was the Cold War era and Army doctrine was focused on fighting the Soviet Union. Today, as we fight the War on Terrorism, Army doctrine has changed dramatically and continues to evolve. Following CGSC, Major Lee will return to a line unit where he will either serve as a battalion XO or a battalion S-3. Major Lee says his favorite aspect of working with Liberty Battalion was the opportunity to individually train cadets. Major Lee said that in the regular Army, a mid-grade officer such as himself would coordinate and supervise the training of soldiers, but delegate the task of the actual training to Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs). Working as an officer in ROTC gave Major Lee a chance to not only coordinate and

supervise the training of Cadets, but also to roll up his sleeves and work individually with Cadets and train them hands-on. Major Lee offers some advice to Liberty Battalion Cadets: take all training seriously, and remember that you are always being evaluated. Even as MSI and MSII Cadets; Cadre are observing you, evaluating you and your peers, and evaluating your potential for the MSIII year and beyond. The same applies to the regular Army as well. As an officer, you will constantly be evaluated, both by your superiors as well as your subordinates. Major Lee said that your superiors want to know if you are able to accomplish your mission, and your subordinates want to know how well you take care of your soldiers. Liberty Battalion was truly fortunate to have Major Lee with us for the past few years. In the field and in the classroom, Major Lee provided Cadets with expert advice and guidance, as was always available to answer questions, address concerns, and even share a joke or two.. While we will certainly miss having Major Lee in Liberty Battalion, we wish him the best of luck at CGSC and beyond as he continues his Army career. Hooah, Major Lee!

Page 10 The LANCE – Spring 2007

Liberty Battalion Spring FTX

By BC Cadets

On March 30th, 2007, Liberty Battalion joined together with the Cadets at Worchester Polytechnic Institute in what turned out to be a memorable spring FTX. The journey began when all Cadets arrived at Fort Devens around 1700 that Friday. The MSIIIs were anxious about their leadership positions, the MSIIs excited to prove themselves to the upperclassmen, and the MSIs questioning what to expect. Once all Cadets were organized, a lengthy period of developing standard operating procedures ensued. After a brief orders process and a delicious dinner, Cadets were treated to a thorough class regarding patrolling from the soon-to-be Second Lieutenants, our MSIVs. At the conclusion of the class, it was time to rest; all Cadets eagerly retired to their tents and quickly fell asleep. The next morning began at 0430. Yet another hearty meal initiated what was to be an extremely productive day. Once

accountability was gathered, each squad was assigned an MSIV. Thus began the STX lanes. An MSIII was in charge of their respective squad during the two hour battle drill in which the LDAC-bound Cadet would receive their mission, develop a methodical plan, and then lead the squad’s completion of that mission. After ten hours of STX lanes, totaling five total lanes, the MSIIIs all felt more confident in their troop leading abilities. Many of them agreed that the ten hours helped to develop confidence, competency, and trust in their fellow Cadets. After the STX lanes, Cadets rested, again being taught the invaluable lessons of patrolling. As darkness drew nearer, the Cadets on the FTX prepared themselves for night land navigation. At the completion of land navigation came sleep. As the MSIIIs set up their patrol base and slept outside, the MSIs and MSIIs enjoyed the warmth found inside their tents.

Cadet Lopez NU Cadets at Weekend Leadership Labs

Cadets Deery & Alum-McDonald Cadets Beecy & Volpe

The LANCE – Spring 2007 Page 11

Medal of Honor Winner Paul Bucha Captain Ben Randazzo

Color Guard at Fenway Park

Cadet Jenzer leads the BC Drill Team Boston College Cadets

The LANCE is an unofficial publication authorized under the provisions of AR 360-1 and published twice a year by the cadets of the Liberty Battalion. The Liberty Battalion is composed of students from several campuses including Northeastern University, Boston College, Berkley School of Music, New England Conservatory of Music, Suffolk University and the Wentworth Institute of Technology. To contribute a story to The LANCE, contact the Commanding Officer at 335A Huntington Avenue, Northeastern University, (617) 373-2372. Visit us on the Web at www.rotc.neu.edu.

Cadet Editor: Elaine Miller Cadre Advisor: CPT Ben Randazzo

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