Happy holiday greetings to all!
We have just completed an outstanding semester in the Jayhawk battalion, capped off by our Fall awards ceremony on 12 December. Cadet LTC Alex Krutz turned over the reins of command to Cadet LTC Ryan Evans, and we recognized numerous cadets for superior performance over the course of the term. I also had the honor to issue the contracting oath to five cadets, bringing us to a remarkable 12 cadets contracted this fall, including all seven freshmen offered scholarships. Last year none of the freshmen were qualified during the first semester. We attribute this to the exceptional quality of the young scholar-athlete-leaders who joined this year. Of our 80
cadets, three will commission as new second lieutenants on
December 20th. In the spring we expect to have about 10
new cadets join the battalion. We continue to improve in
quality.
Finally, we are very proud of the selection of one of
our own, 2LT Robert Chamberlain, as a Rhodes Scholar!
We received this exciting news on 9 December; he is one
of only 32 students nationwide selected for this honor to
attend Oxford University. Last year Robert served as our
cadet battalion commander. He is currently going through
Field Artillery training at Ft Sill. He is certainly a standard
setter for everyone in the battalion. From all of us to you,
have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
LTC Brian M. De Toy
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2002 SCUTTLEBUTT
First, on November 1st the Midshipmen Battalion Commanding Officer, Sergeant Maddox was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. We started off the month with a stadium cleanup, earning money that helps with Battalion improvements, field trips and social events. On November 8 and 9th the Battalion stayed busy with Veteran's Day events to include the annual vigil at KU's Vietnam Memorial. On November 8th, some members of the Battalion celebrated with Marines and other veterans at the 12th Annual Lawrence Marine Corps Birthday/Veterans Day celebration. On November 19th MECEP's and Midshipmen (Marine Options) celebrated the 227th Marine Corps Birthday with the Marine Officer students of the Army Command and General Staff College in downtown Kansas City.
The Jayhawk Battalion is looking forward to a well-
deserved holiday break. We commissioned three Naval
Officers (one 2nd Lt and two Ensigns) on December 20th.
After wrapping up final exams on 20 December, the
Battalion will enjoy a "stand down" and prepare for the
upcoming spring semester. Classes begin at KU on 16
January 2002.
Lastly, on behalf of the Jayhawk Navy/Marine Corps team, we hope you have a joyous Holiday Season and a safe New Year. We take this time of year to spend time with our families and recharge our batteries. Additionally, we reflect and thank all those military service members who are deployed worldwide in support of the many freedoms we enjoy.
Major Mark Strole
Asst. Professor of Naval Science