Wow, it is May already and another commissioning is upon us; the year really flies by! The Army will be commissioning seven new lieutenants at the 19 May joint ceremony, to go along with the five commissioned earlier in the year. They are outstanding young people and great representatives of the university and the state.
We have had a superb spring term, with much field time in infantry squad tactics, land navigation, repelling, weapons qualification, obstacle courses, etc. On 26 April we sponsored our annual Best Ranger Buddy Team competition. We had over 150 competitors from 23 schools in 10 states. As always it was one of the highlights of the semester.
This summer we will have 19 cadets conducting Army training at numerous sites. Many will be off to the National Advanced Leadership Camp at Ft Lewis, Washington. Others are off to airborne and air assault training. A junior is going to be an intern in the Pentagon while a classmate will be taking part in the annual Army Science Board at San Diego
and in DC; he is one of only two cadets nationwide selected for this training. A sophomore is going to Britain to train with their Army, while I have two cadets going to Hawaii for training and one to Germany. The Jayhawks will be on the road!
It has been an eventful term, with the war in the backdrop always. Five of our underclassmen were called to active duty with their RC units and deployed to the gulf; they are still over there. Also, several new lieutenants from last year's class have already joined their units and deployed. It is sobering to reflect on their service and keeps us all, cadre and cadets, focused on our training and preparation.
Best wishes and thanks for your continuing support of our efforts.
JAYHAWKS LEAD THE WAY!
LTC Brian M. De Toy
APRIL 2003 SCUTTLEBUTT
April was a busy month for the Battalion. The Sail team hosted a Sail Regatta and took first place. Additionally, the Rifle/Pistol Team traveled to Colorado to compete and gained valuable experience for next year's competition. The Battalion Commander's inspection was held in preparation for the Commanding Officer's inspection held on 23 Apr 03.
We hosted our Spring Awards ceremony 1530 at Woodruff Auditorium on 30 Apr 03. The Midshipmen are busy studying for finals, preparing for summer cruises and requesting leadership billets for the fall 2003 semester.
Mark down Saturday, May 10th. At 1 PM we will host the Alumni Golf Tournament at Eagle Bend Golf Course in
Lawrence. You are all cordially invited. Please RSVP to jscooper@ku.edu or call us at (785) 864-3161.
Most important, the midshipmen and staff continue to
support our victorious troops deployed to Iraq. We have five
graduating seniors who will be commissioned into the
Navy/Marine Corps at 1000 on Monday 19 May 03 in the
Kansas Union's Woodruff Auditorium. These soon-to-be
Ensigns/Second Lieutenants may find themselves deployed
in the near future in support of the war effort. Our prayers
are with them all.
Major Mark Strole
Asst. Professor of Naval Science