THE GUIDON The Official Newsletter of the Buckeye

The Buckeye Battalion carries on the tradition...

Inside this Issue: Page 2 Cadet Battalion Com- mander’s Remarks Page 3 Alpha Co. Commander’s Remarks Page 4 Bravo Co. Commander’s Remarks Page 5 Cadets in Action Cover Story Continued Page 6 Autumn Quarter in Pictures Cadets of the Buckeye Battalion march back from Tuttle Park during Leadership Lab. Page 7 Ranger Challenge Continuing a tradi- ion were both prepared and the Gold award for achiev- tion of excellence, the determined to excel physi- ing a GPA between 3.7 and Dining-In Buckeye Battalion charged cally and academically. 4.0. Additionally, Cadet into Autumn quarter 2010 Kurt Sardiga received the Page 8 The following Ca- with more enthusiasm than Legion of Valor Bronze dets received the “Scholar, Buckeye Community Action ever. With memories of Cross for Achievement for Athlete, Leader” award in LDAC and other summer his excellence in military, Cadets of the Month September for their superior training fresh in many Ca- scholastic, and civil affairs. academic and physical per- Winter Quarter Cadet Bat- dets’ minds, a quarter filled Looking back to formance and extracurricu- talion Commander with exciting opportunities this summer, a number of lar performance during the Next Quarter began this September. As Buckeye Battalion Cadets Spring quarter 2010. Cadets the young men and women performed in a superior Dawson and Fulford re- Pages 9-10 of Charlie began manner at both LDAC and ceived the Bronze award for their careers as both college a variety of Army schools. Notes from LTC Farrell J. achieving a GPA between students and Cadets, many First, the following senior 3.0 and 3.35. Cadets King, Duncombe II senior Cadets began what Cadets earned an overall Ternasky, Milano, Whitney, will be their final academic “Excellent” for exceeding and Yates received the Sil- year before commissioning the standard at the Leader- ver award for achieving a as Second Lieutenants in ship Development and As- GPA between 3.36 and the . As sessment Course this sum- 3.69. Lastly, Cadets Doran, the quarter progressed, it mer at Ft. Lewis, Washing- Thomas, Walker, Sardiga, became clear that the Ca- Shell, and Seryak received dets of the Buckeye Battal- Continues on page 5... Page 2 THE GUIDON

Comments from the Cadet Battalion Commander I would like to leadership and is re- six Cadets, most of them welcome returning Ca- quired for commission- from the Ranger Chal- dets, new Cadets, family, ing. Six Cadets earned lenge team, went to friends, cadre, and the coveted Recondo Washington D.C. to run alumni to enjoy the Au- badge, which measures the Army 10-Miler. The tumn quarter edition of individual soldiering MSIIIs conducted their "The Guidon", which skills. Seven Cadets Fall Field Training Ex- displays the achieve- earned an overall ercise (FTX) at Stone’s ments of our Cadets over “Excellent” rating based Farm, completing two the Summer and Autumn on their leadership iterations of day land quarters. “The Guidon" evaluations, and six Ca- navigation and one of Cadet Battalion Commander demonstrates why The dets earned “top five” in night land navigation. Daniel Shell observes training on Ohio State University their . Our bat- The MSIs and IIs went the Autumn FTX at Stone’s Farm. Army ROTC Buckeye talion also boasts seven to Camp Sherman to Battalion is one of the Distinguished Military participate in an En- conduct training to im- premier commissioning Graduates, who are gagement Skills Trainer prove leadership and sources for the United among the top twenty range, familiarization soldiering skills further. States Army. percent of ROTC Cadets fire with the M9 and To prepare for semes- in the nation. Many of M16, and a Field Lead- ters and improve conti- The Buckeye the MSIVs who attended ership Reaction Course. nuity, MSIV leadership Battalion excelled during LDAC also attended Ca- To honor Veterans and positions will change training this summer. det Leader Train- those who made the ulti- halfway through Winter Many Cadets completed ing (CTLT), where Ca- mate sacrifice, Cadets nd quarter on February Airborne and Air Assault dets shadow a 2 Lieu- participated in the an- 18th instead of at the training, earning the re- tenant in an active duty nual tri-service Rock end of each quarter. spective badges for those unit to experience what Ceremony on the Oval. The Buckeye Battalion schools. Two Cadets at- is expected of them upon This quarter has seen the will continue its course tended Cadet Field commissioning. reactivation of Charlie of Tradition, Honor, Training at West Point, Company (“The Rock”), and Excellence into the working in squads along- The Buckeye Ca- consisting of the MSI’s future. side West Point Cadets. dets hit the ground run- (first years) and their Cadets participated in ning this quarter, earning MSIV chain of com- “Buckeyes Lead the the Leadership Training second place in the Sev- mand. Charlie Com- Way!” Course at Fort Knox this enth Bold War- pany’s purpose is to in- summer, and three Ca- rior Challenge competi- troduce new Cadets to C/LTC Daniel Shell dets received awards for tion at Fort Knox, Ken- basic soldier skills, in- their performance. Our tucky. The team brought still the fundamentals of Cadet Battalion MSIVs attended the home two streamers for leadership, and establish Commander Leadership Development the weapons assem- a solid base of knowl- and Assessment Course bly/disassembly and rope edge and discipline to (LDAC) at bridge events. Addition- build upon. Lewis-McChord near ally, Ohio State fielded Tacoma, Washington. its first all-female Looking forward LDAC is a course de- Ranger Challenge team. to winter quarter, the signed to assess Cadets’ The following weekend, Buckeye Battalion will PageVolume 3 1, Issue 1 THE GUIDONPage 3

Remarks from Alpha Company Commander

Nicknamed the tactics. The MSIII class pushed the Cadets hard “Aces”, Alpha Company has been racing out of thus far, but the training sets the tempo in all the gate in terms of en- will only become more training. From the thusiasm for tactical intense from here. With MSIVs to the MSIIs, Al- skills, and there is no a strong desire for con- pha Company exempli- sign of this slowing stant improvement, the fies leadership by exam- down anytime soon. Ca- senior leadership plans ple in all facets of the det Seryak, an Alpha to sharpen the skills of ROTC curriculum. Start- Company TAC, said: the “Aces” by building ing with physical train- “As an MSIV class, we team cohesion and confi- ing, Alpha Company has set the bar high for the dence in their skills. Our the highest average classes below us, but I training is good, and if “Aces” Company Commander Wes Gottke Army Physical Fitness am confident that the our Cadets walk away Test score of all three MSIII’s in Alpha Com- from Alpha Company companies. The same pany will be able to meet with confidence in their “We have holds true for the MSIII our high expectations.” abilities and the skills to pushed the class in particular, which Members of Al- help their peers, they Cadets hard is currently gearing up pha Company are also will be successful else- for the important sum- doing big things within where. thus far, but mer training known as the battalion. Cadet Jake the training the Leadership Develop- Young, an MSII member C/CPT Wes Gottke will only ment and Assessment of the “Aces”, leads the Course. Cadet Bierwirth, become more Buckeye Community Alpha Company an MSIII in the com- Action Committee. Al- intense from Commander pany, spoke about how pha Company also con- here.” our rigorous PT has tributed the majority of “definitely made the the Ranger Challenge company better as a team members, including whole.” He also men- Cadets Craig Morin, tioned that the MSIII Robert Hord, Harold leadership is “setting a Shorter, and Marie strong standard for the Boone. The Ranger MSIIs in the company.” Challenge team placed Recently, the “Aces” second in the brigade, won the Company PT maintaining a proud tra- Competition, a head-to- dition of bringing a tro- head contest between all phy back to Ohio State. three companies. As it is still early Aside from PT, in the year, Alpha Com- Alpha Company has pany’s leadership under- been conducting leader- stands that much work ship labs to hone Cadets’ remains. We have abilities in squad-level The Alpha Company “Aces” conduct squad movement during Leadership Lab. Page 4 THE GUIDON

Remarks from the Bravo Company Commander Bravo Company their basic Soldier skills, Reaction Courses; and is training future officers. as well as honing their conducted weapons fa- We keep this concept in budding leadership quali- miliarization with 9mm mind every day while ties by serving as team pistols and M16A2 rifles. shaping the Army's future leaders. Qualified cadre The training this quarter leaders. Whether training and MSIVs who have has been intense and battle drills or improving already graduated from gratifying to these future physical fitness, we train LDAC supervise all train- officers. for the Soldiers we will ing. Winter quarter lead, who deserve the This quarter, promises to be as fruitful best. This is what sets the Bravo Company has as the first. In the begin- Buckeye Battalion as the Bravo Company “Wolfpack” completed several events, ning weeks, we will con- standard for officer train- Commander Kevin Dorgan preparing Cadets to meet duct preliminary rifle in- ing and leadership. Bravo the contemporary operat- struction on M16A2s, as Company's goal is not to ing environment. Train- well as range time at create the next General ing during weekly labs Converse hall. From Patton, but to create con- includes drill and cere- there, MSIIIs will begin “Whether fident, competent, and mony, battle drills, and to teach classes on exe- inspirational leaders who training battle basic Soldier skills. cuting battle drills includ- will accomplish the mis- Physical training is con- ing squad attack, ambush, drills or im- sion and uphold the Army ducted three times a and recon. Halfway proving physi- Values. week, where the company through the quarter, Ca- cal fitness, we Currently, Bravo can be seen exerting itself det Fulford will assume Company contains two to the Company motto, company command. I train for the Military Science classes, “Hurts to be this good!” know that I leave the soldiers we MSIIs and MSIIIs, stu- Bravo Company also company in good hands, dents in their second and completed Combat Water and that he will train the will lead, who third year, respectively. Survival Training, a five- Bravo Company Cadets deserve the Training comes from the stage test to train Cadets to standard. Bravo Com- best. ” top down, with the MSIV in the proper water sur- pany trains future offi- Cadets mentoring and vival techniques while cers, a solid, immovable assisting the MSIIIs, carrying equipment and concept. while the MSIIIs train the weapons. Additionally, “The only real MSIIs. MSIIIs are prepar- Bravo Company has training for leadership is ing for their assessment completed two separate leadership.” - Antony Jay this summer at the Lead- Field Training Exercises. ers Development and As- The first tested the sessment Course at Fort MSIIIs at Stone's Farm Lewis, Washington; how- on day and night land C/CPT Kevin M. Dorgan ever, these Cadets are not navigation skills. I can being taught only for personally attest to the Bravo Company LDAC, but training to the darkness, as the night Commander Army standard for their course had zero illumina- eventual careers as offi- tion from the moon. cers. This important dis- MSIIs trained at Camp tinction carries weight in Sherman where they led the company's end-state. their peers through com- MSIIs are improving plicated Field Leaders Page 5 THE GUIDON

Cadets in Action

Cover story continued...

ton: Kurt Sardiga, Kenny Morin, and Theodore Sow- Miller, Daniel Shell, Mat- der. CTLT (Cadet Troop thew Ausderan, Wes Got- Lead Training) - Daniel tke, Kit Seryak, and Craig Shell and Destiny Hayden. Morin. Next, receiving the Also, Cadet Clay Yates Recondo award at LDAC completed CULP (Cultural were: Cadets Kurt Sardiga, Language Program) in Clay Yates, Todd Dawson, Thailand, and Cadets Daniel Shell, Kit Seryak, Megan Matthews and and Sean Fulford. Lastly, Sarah Duwe completed the following Cadets were CFT (Cadet Field Train- selected “Top 5” in their ing) at the USMA at West : Cadets Theodore Point. the following Cadets who LTC Duncombe Awards the Sowder, Daniel Shell, contracted this quarter: “Scholar, Athlete, Leader” schol- Demonstrating arships to the Spring 2010 re- Craig Morin, Wes Gottke, extraordinary physical fit- Cadets Sean Dummitt, Al- cipients. Kit Seryak, and Kenny ness, the following partici- exandrea Fistek, Jonathan University Army ROTC Miller. pated in the annual Army More, Andrew Deavers, Samantha Lehmann, Craig program. Congratula- Aside from 10-miler in Washington Miller, Donald Phan, Mat- tions to all for an out- LDAC, the the following D.C.: Cadets Sarah Duwe, thew Patrlja, Michael standing Summer and Cadets completed Army Megan Matthews, Michael McKinney, Marie Boone, Autumn quarter! schools: Airborne- Scott McQueary, Craig Morin, and Scholl. Bierwirth, Jay Dawson, Daniel Shell, Clay Yates, C/CPT Whipkey and SFC Stowe. Craig Dorgan, and Joseph These Cadets have S-7, Editor Langley. Air Assault— Finally, the Buck- all truly shown what it Jarren Thomas, Craig eye Battalion congratulates means to lead the way and represent THE Ohio State Page 6 THE GUIDON Autumn Quarter In Pictures Page 7 THE GUIDON Ranger Challenge

Cadets, including three also completed the Iron first-year Cadets. Warrior Challenge, where Cadets had to The competition, work in teams in order to designed to mimic the move water cans, truck Sandhurst competition tires, and a HMMVW held annually at West Point, consisted of dif- across an open field as ferent events scattered quickly as possible. Each across several of the event, as well as the movement between training areas at Ft. events, was timed, and Knox. Each team was the team with the lowest required to navigate overall time won the Ranger Challenge Team and Cadre from left to right standing: from event to event LTC Farrell J. Duncombe II, Craig Morin, Marie Boone, Harold through rugged, wooded competition. Shorter, Kurt Sardiga, Daniel Shell, Joe Langley, Robert Hord, terrain, while carrying Both teams and MSG Brad Bonnell. Kneeling: Clayton Yates. rucksacks and rifles. The proudly represented the events consisted of basic Buckeye Battalion. The rifle marksmanship, dis- male team placed second On October 16, led by team captain Ca- assembly and reassembly overall and placed first the Buckeye Battalion det Kurt Sardiga, con- of an M16 and M9, in both the one rope sent both a male and fe- sisted of eight male Ca- evacuating a casualty, bridge and weapons dis- male team to Ft. Knox, dets and one female Ca- one rope bridge, hand assembly and reassem- Kentucky, to compete in det, while the female grenade assault course, bly, preserving the Bat- the 7th Brigade’s Annual team, led by third-year obstacle course, and boat talion’s tradition of ex- Ranger Challenge Com- Cadet Sarah Duwe, con- movement with an RB- cellence. petition. The male team, sisted entirely of female 15 Zodiac Boat. Teams

Dining-In speaker for the event. Colonel The 11th annual Buckeye Battal- Price is a 1985 Distinguished ion dining-in was held at the Faw- Military Graduate of the Univer- cett Center on the Ohio State sity of Houston's College of Busi- campus, Friday, December 3rd. ness Administration. He earned a All MSIII, MSIV Cadets, and Master of Arts Degree in History Cadre attended. At the head table in 1994 from Texas A&M Univer- were: Battalion Commander, LTC sity. He also earned a Master of Farrel J. Duncombe II; Cadet Science Degree in National Secu- Battalion Commander, Daniel rity Strategy from the National Shell; Senior Military Instructor, Defense University in 2004. MSG Brad Bonnell; Cadet Ser- geant Major Kenny Miller; and an The dining-in is a formal dinner honored guest of the Buckeye function for members of a military Battalion, COL (P) Barrye L. organization or unit, adopted by Price. COL Barrye L. Price is the the U.S. military during World Wars I & II. During winter quarter Deputy Commanding Officer of the Cadets take part in a similar the United States Army Cadet event, the 102nd annual Military Cadet Command’s Deputy Commander COL (P) Barrye L. Price with Command, and was also the guest Dining-In Cadet OIC Fields and Cadet Houston. Ball. Page 8 THE GUIDON

Buckeye Community Action Cadets of the Month Autumn quarter 2010 saw an outstanding display of leader- Committee: Leadership in Service ship and camaraderie as eight Cadets were honored as the Buck- eye Battalion’s Cadets of the month for the months of October and November. These Cadets all displayed outstanding characteristics that made them stand out among their peers. A Cadet is chosen from each class by the battalion leadership by evaluating their contri- butions to the program and how they carry themselves. These Cadets have excelled in multiple areas including high GPAs, holding high APFT scores, actively participating in ROTC and community activities.

October’s Cadets of the month were:  Michael Cox - MSI Greeting veterans as they return from their honor  Marie Boone - MSII trip to Washington D.C.  Dominic Howard- MSIII  Destiny Hayden - MSIV The Buckeye Community teered with the Honor Flight

Action Committee (BCA), led Network and greeted World by Cadets Jake Young and War II veterans upon their Lindsay Whitney, conducted a return from Washington, DC. November’s Cadets of the month were: clothing drive this quarter to Each Cadet reflected on the  Katherine Cook - MSI benefit the central Ohio com- humbling experience of meet-  Matthew Patrlja - MSII munity for the upcoming win- ing World War II veterans.  Jarren Thomas - MSIII ter. Our goal is to give back to Come next spring, watch for  Kit Seryak - MSIV the community. The BCA more opportunities to assist plans to continue working with with the Honor Flight Net- various animal shelters, assist- work. New Cadets are always ing local school children, and welcome to join and suggest volunteering at food banks. new service ideas. Last spring, the BCA volun-

Cadet C/LTC I look forward should be both challeng- Next Quarter to taking command of ing and exciting for the Kurt Sardiga the Buckeye Battalion Cadets of the Buckeye Winter quarter will hold new for the latter half of the Battalion. Some of the challenges for the Cadets of school year. Through- notable upcoming events the Buckeye Battalion as out my experience in include the Annual Mili- they learn the battle drills that will be put into practice ROTC, I have had the tary Ball this winter, the during Situational Training opportunities to com- Joint Field Training Exer- Exercise lanes in the spring pete in Ranger Chal- cise, and the Tri-Service and, for the MS IIIs, at lenge, attend Air As- Parade this spring. I look LDAC in the summer. sault School, and forward to leading the There will also be weapons LDAC. I am now fortu- Buckeye Cadets through- familiarization training and a nate enough to have the out these events, as well combat water survival test. opportunity lead some as their day-to-day train- In February the Cadets will of the best Cadets in the ing. nd The Winter quarter Cadet nation. With that said, be participating in the 102 Battalion Commander. the upcoming months Annual Military Ball . Page 9 THE GUIDON Notes from LTC Farrell J. Duncombe II

Happy New Year Buckeye Battalion!

The 2010 Autumn quarter was full of accomplishments and accolades for our Battal- ion. The following highlights provide an illustration of the significant activities and accomplishments achieved by our Cadets during the Summer and Autumn quarters:

The Buckeye Battalion was recognized as having the highest average of officer pro- duction within the 7th Brigade. Army ROTC Enrollment: The Buckeye Battalion reached an all time enrollment high with 181 Cadets filling the ranks of the battalion. Many thanks are extended to our ROO Team, SGM (R) Childs, the Cadets, Cadre and Staff for sharing the Buckeye Battalion story with the OSU Campus and inviting others to become a part of the Buckeye Battalion and the U.S. Army.

Two teams successfully competed in the Bold Warrior (Ranger Challenge) competition. The Scarlet Team (Cadets: Sar- diga (Team Captain), Boone, Hord, Langley, Morin, Shell, Shorter, Thomas, and Yates) and the Grey Team (Cadets: Duwe (Team Captain), Arko, Cook, Furey, Matthews, Mikulka, Owens, Ternasky, and Whitney). The Scarlet Team placed 2nd out of fourty-three competing ROTC programs and was awarded the Weapons Streamer and the One-Rope Bridge Streamer. Our strong finishes showed the Buckeye Battalion’s spirit of competition and commitment to excel- lence. Congratulations to Teams Scarlet and Grey!

Selected Buckeye Battalion Cadets successfully completed the Army 10-Miler. Team Buckeye (Cadets: Duwe, Morin, McQueary, Matthews, Shell, Yates, and SFC Stowe) finished 29th out of fifty (50) teams from around the United States and as always, our team represented the Buckeye Battalion in grand style. Congratulations Team Buckeye!

Thirty-seven Cadets attended the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) at Fort Lewis, Washington. LDAC, also known as Operation Warrior Forge, is a rigorous and demanding four week capstone exercise that every Cadet must successfully complete prior to becoming a U.S. Army lieutenant. We had a 100% graduation rate with 19% of our Cadets receiving a rating of Excellent; 16% of the Buckeye Battalion Cadets were rated in the top 5% of their re- spective platoons and 16% received the Recondo Badge. To be awarded a Recondo Badge, Cadets must accomplish the following: execute all confidence training to the prescribed standard; score 270 or above on the Army Physical Fitness Test (with a minimum of 90 points in each event); achieve a minimum of 80% in each of the land navigation proficiency testing categories; receive satisfactory or higher ratings for all 17 Army Core Competencies and the Army Values. Out- standing work Cadre and MS-3s!

Congratulations to the thirty-two Cadets who received their branch assignments. Seven Cadets were designated as Dis- tinguished Military Graduates (DMGs): Cadets Ausderan, Dorgan, McQueary, Morin, Seryak, Shell and Yates. DMGs rank in the top 20% of Army ROTC Cadets nationwide and are selected on the basis of high scholarship, evidence of high moral character, military aptitude, and demonstrated leadership ability.

Continues on page 10. Page 10 THE GUIDON

Commissioning Seniors

Basic Detailed Army Last Name First Name M.I. Branch Branch Component AUSDERAN MATTHEW A MI FA ACTIVE BAUER TIMOTHY P EN EN USAR BEIL IAN J IN IN ACTIVE BENEDICT CAMERON J EN EN ARNG BOYD NICHOLAS A MI MI USAR BROWN ASHLEY M AG AG ARNG BUCHHOLZ JACOB W IN IN ARNG BYLER NICOLE MI MI USAR CLEVENGER TODD M SC SC ARNG DAWSON TODD W IN IN ARNG DORGAN KEVIN M AR AR ARNG FIELDS ERIKA F AG AG ARNG FULFORD SEAN T SC IN ACTIVE GOTTKE WESLEY S MS MS USAR GREEN MICHAEL G EN EN ARNG HOUSTON JESSICA V MI FA ACTIVE KURTZ BRANDON A SC SC ARNG LAYTON TYLER L MI MI USAR LTC Duncombe II addresses Cadets after MCADAMS BRAD J AV AV ACTIVE completing a monthly “Battalion Fun Run” MCQUEARY MICHAEL A SC SC ARNG MILLER ROBERT K TC TC ACTIVE Class of 2011 Branch Assignments MORIN CRAIG A IN IN ACTIVE PERRY LAUREN A TC TC ARNG

PHILLIPS RYAN K MC MC ACTIVE LEGEND: SERYAK CHRISTOPHER A IN IN ACTIVE AG-; AR-Armor; AV-Aviation; EN- SHELL DANIEL W IN IN ACTIVE Engineer; FA-; IN-; MC-Medical Ser- SMITH GAVEN R AG AG ACTIVE vice; MI-Military Intelligence; SC-Signal; OD-Ordnance; TC- SOWDER THEODORE J FA FA ARNG Transportation WHIPKEY DEREK D OD OD ACTIVE WHITE MATTHEW J MI AR ACTIVE WHITNEY LINDSAY K MI MI ACTIVE YATES CLAYTON W IN IN ACTIVE

Seven Cadets successfully attended the Leaders Training Course (LTC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. LTC is an intense four- week introduction to Army life and leadership training of ROTC; the aim of the course is to motivate and qualify Cadets for entry into the Senior ROTC program. All of our Cadets successfully graduated and three were selected for end of cycle training awards: Cadet Deavers-the recipient of the National Sojourner’s Award; awarded for Americanism and military excel- lence in physical training and leadership. Cadet Walker-the recipient of the CoMtek Warrior Award; awarded for achieving the highest cumulative score on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), Land Navigation, and the Stress Shoot Event. Cadet Boone- the recipient of the Army Nurse Award; awarded for achieving the highest ranking on the order of merit list and demonstrating immense levels of care and compassion for others. Congratulations to the Buckeye Battalion’s 2010 Summer and Fall Commissioned Officers: 2LT Beatty, 2LT Cheng, 2LT Hackenmoeller, 2LT Obermeyer, 2LT Roberts, 2LT Weavodau 2LT Baldwin

Great appreciation and thanks to everyone (Cadre, Staff, Cadets, Alumni, and Parents) for the dedication and commit- ment in ensuring that the OSU Army ROTC Buckeye Battalion is one of the best programs in Cadet Command!

“Go Bucks!” Department of Military Science & Leadership. Army ROTC at The Ohio State University 253 Converse Hall 2121 Tuttle Park Place Columbus, OH 43210-1169

Address Correction Requested “Buckeyes Lead the Way!!!” way and represent THE Ohio State University Army ROTC program. Congratulations to all for an outstanding summer and Autumn quarter! “BUCKEYES LEAD THE WAY!” C/CPT Whipkey S-7, Editor