Fall 2012 Corps Review
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Rock Roszak ’71 (left), the Corps’ former alumni director, and Gary Lerch ’72, chairman of the Corps’ alumni board, led the alumni regiment on the !eld during pregame activities for Corps Homecoming. Nearly 200 alumni participated in the march-on and enjoyed a great weekend of reminiscing and camaraderie. Please join us for next fall’s Corps Homecoming weekend! Serving with TF Lightning Horse in the Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, as an OH-58D pilot, Capt. Andrew Howell ’07 showed his Hokie pride while "ying over the Arghandab River in the Zharay District. Howell was our Hokie Hero for this year’s football game versus Duke University. Ut Prosim! FEATURES Fall 2012, Vol. 23, No. 1 Mel Michael Sabale ’99 The Corps Review is published three Ful!lling the Objectives times a year by the Virginia Tech Corps of 2 Cadets Alumni Inc. in cooperation with University Relations. ALUMNI Suzanne Schang ’01 SPOTLIGHTS Our Charge of Mentorship Gary Lerch ’72, Chairman 6 Maj. Gen. Randal Fullhart, Commandant of Cadets Keeping it in the Family Col. Patience Larkin ’87, Alumni Director Retired U.S. Navy o#cers Thomas M. Yambrick ’87 and Laura Garza and Editor Yambrick ’87 celebrated their 25th class reunion this year as their 2 son, Philip, entered the Corps of Cadets as a freshman. 10 David Stanley VT‘95, Art Director Juliet Crichton, Assistant Editor New Faces on the Commandant’s Sta! Col. David L. Spracher ’70, Director of Development Col. Patience Larkin ’87, Lt. Col. Donald Russell, and Jeananne Ti$any VT’07 have joined the commandant’s sta$ in service to the Virginia Michael Diersing, Bradley Larkin, Randal Tech Corps of Cadets. Fullhart, Kathy Fullhart, Photography 16 Melissa Richards, Director of Marketing and 6 Publications Military-Track Cadets Learn from Comments and all material for the maga- Overseas Opportunity zine should be mailed to Editor, Corps In May, four senior cadets participated in the Olmsted Cadet Travel Review, 143 Brodie Hall (0213), Virginia and Cultural Immersion Program, allowing them to experience Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Persons wish- Panama and prepare for careers as military o#cers. 20 ing to reprint any portion of the contents of Corps Review must contact the editor for permission. Photo essays of these Corps events on campus: © 2012, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Hokie Heroes 17 Virginia Tech Homecoming 18 Corps Review can be accessed online at www.vtcca.vt.edu. PHOTOS Corps Homecoming 24 New Cadet Events 30 Virginia Tech does not discriminate 10 against employees, students, or appli- cants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affilia- DEPARTMENTS tion, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Anyone having questions VTCC Alumni Aviation Series ................12 concerning discrimination or accessibility Leader Development ................................22 should contact the Office for Equity and Recruiting Update .......................................26 Access. Quad-Angle .....................................................27 Front cover photo: Bradley Larkin ROTC News ......................................................32 Back cover photo: Michael Diersing VPI Company ..................................................38 Commandant’s Column ..........................40 Chairman’s Column ....................................42 Philanthropy ...................................................43 Alumni Director’s Column ......................46 Honor Guard ...................................................47 CORPS REVIEW 1 www.vtcc.vt.edu Alumnus Spotlight Mel and Maria Sabale with their children, Michaela and Matthew. A Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle Sabale with a Shadow Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). From left, Sabale on game day with former high school integrated with full communications package. classmates and fellow cadets Rolando Farrales ’99 and Photo courtesy of BAE Systems. Joel Castaneda ’00. CORPS REVIEW 2 FALL 2012 Fulfilling the Objectives by Mel Michael Sabale ’99 Our beloved university excited young man when I heard the is something that I will never forget. "e motto, Ut Prosim (!at I May news that I had been awarded a four-year banging of the trash cans and the cadre’s Serve), has resonated in my Air Force scholarship to any university screams were a rude awakening and mind since I first heard the that accepted me into its engineering welcome to the Corps of Cadets. I was phrase more than a decade ago program. humbled during that week and definitely I was offered admission to several challenged to a level I had never before during freshman orientation at state universities, but my eyes were on experienced in my life. I certainly was Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech. I wanted to be challenged “building character.” I grew up as a Navy brat in the sub- academically, physically, and emotionally. But throughout that week, as well as urbs of Washington, D.C., and was lucky As my cadet first sergeant in the Corps during the rest of my freshman year in to have great role models early in life. My always said, “Tough times and challenges E-Frat and later as first sergeant of Bravo dad had been given the opportunity to build character.” Company during my junior year, I was join the U.S. Navy when he was drafted Although the stellar engineering also meeting friends for life, understand- out of Subic Bay, Philippines. After see- program was a big factor in my deci- ing teamwork, and learning how to cope ing his dedication and service to a num- sion to attend Virginia Tech, the Corps with stress. I found courage in myself ber of admirals, including Adm. Jeremy of Cadets made the university an even that I never knew I had, and I learned Boorda and Vice Adm. Daniel Cooper bigger draw. "e idea of all four military how to rely on others, how to follow, but (retired), who commissioned me in branches wearing one uniform across all also how to lead, and too many other 1999, I knew early on that my goal was branches and working together as one aspects to list here. to be a member of an organization that unit was unique, not only in Blacksburg, I was having such a good time at made a difference. And I can say, without but also around the country. Without Virginia Tech in the Corps and as part of hesitation, that the Corps of Cadets, one a doubt, my four years in the Corps the Air Force ROTC program that I re- of the greatest organizations that I have aided me in real-life situations—from quested to have my scholarship extended ever been a part of, was the starting point my involvement in Operation Enduring to a fifth year. "e Air Force graciously for me fulfilling that goal. Freedom in the Middle East to my cur- accepted, and I was able to enjoy my During high school, as a member of rent position as a defense contractor. “super-senior” year as a civilian before an Air Force Junior ROTC program, I Looking back, I can say that cadre commissioning in 1999. By the fall, I had one thing on my mind: to earn an week almost had me regretting my deci- was ready to take my college experiences ROTC scholarship for an opportunity sion to attend Virginia Tech. Waking and apply them to the real world. to pursue a good degree and then serve up to “Welcome to the Jungle” blasting My first assignment was like my my country. To say the least, I was one through the halls of Rasche and Brodie college experiences, challenging and CORPS REVIEW 3 www.vtcc.vt.edu Sabale with his wife and parents following his promotion to captain. E-98 buds on the Upper Quad (l. to r.): Marc Johannsen ’98, Sabale, Kimberly Sullivan ’98, Amy (Karibinos) Caron ’98, and Matthew Pascarella ’99. the nation on 9/11 is now enshrined in the 8th Air Force Museum. "e second experience occurred a month after 9/11, when I was hand- picked by my commander for a special deployment to support Operation Enduring Freedom. I was told to get my elements that I definitely enjoyed the gear ready because I would be leaving the most. I was trained on tactical radios, next day for an undisclosed location. I networks, data links, long-haul com- did not deploy with my unit, but instead munications, multiplexing, phones, and worked with new troops to get the job several operating systems. "e people, to accomplished in the field. I received a say the least, were exceptional, inspiring, whirlwind tour of the desert—or as I and wonderful to work with. I still look liked to call it, “the Stans”—setting up back today and am amazed at how much bare-base tactical communications for I was exposed to in such a short amount forward-deployed troops. I ended up of time. spending most of my time in Kuwait, "ere are two experiences during my where I worked on relaying Predator first assignment that will live with me communication feeds stateside for situ- forever. "e first occurred on Sept. 11, ational awareness. 2001. I remember getting a panicked call After three years at 8th Air Force, I from one of the other lieutenants in my was transferred to Hanscom Air Force unit to ask me how to reserve our confer- Base, Mass., and became a program ence room for a “special guest.” "at manager for several Air Force weather- With Col. Rock Roszak ’71 at Tech’s !rst ACC home special guest turned out to be President communication programs. I gained game in 2004. George W. Bush, who would give his first useful knowledge and experience in the rewarding. I was stationed at Barksdale address to the nation on the day’s horrific acquisition process that proved to be very Air Force Base, La., as a member of the events. "e undisclosed base to which beneficial in my transition to the civilian Mighty 8th Air Force, where I worked as the president had flown that morning world.