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News Release

Last modified: Thursday, August 16, 2007

IU Army ROTC among top in the nation

Program ranked during the annual Leader Development and Assessment Course

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 16, 2007

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University Army ROTC ranked fourth out of 272 U.S. university Senior Army ROTC programs during the 2007 Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC).

"We are all very proud of our cadets for their stellar performance at this challenging training event," said Maj. Todd Tinius, APMS, scholarships and enrollment officer with the Department of Military Science (Army ROTC) at IU.

Senior cadets recently returned from the LDAC conducted in Fort Lewis, Wash. The LDAC, or operation Warrior Forge, is the most important training event for an Army ROTC cadet or National Guard Officer candidate. The 33-day training event incorporates a wide range of subjects designed to develop and evaluate leadership ability. The challenges are rigorous and demanding, both mentally and physically.

Warrior Forge tests a cadet's intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and stamina. These challenges provide a new perspective on an individual's ability to perform exacting tasks and to make difficult decisions in demanding situations. Cadets and officer candidates are placed in a variety of leadership positions, many of which simulate stressful combat situations. In each position, cadets receive evaluations from platoon tactical and counseling officers and noncommissioned officers.

In addition to proving their leadership ability, cadets and officer candidates must meet established standards in physical fitness, weapons training, communication and combat patrols and must demonstrate their proficiency in many other military skills. Cadets and officer candidates must excel at Warrior Forge to be considered competitive for a commission as a U.S. Army officer.

Tinius said the IU Army ROTC's ranking is one of its biggest turnarounds in IU history. Prior to the arrival of Lt. Col. Eric D. Arnold, professor of military science, the program's LDAC ratings were nearer the middle to the bottom of the nation.

"Many factors play into this praiseworthy achievement, but the key player involved is Lieutenant Colonel Eric D. Arnold," Tinius said. "His leadership, vision and enthusiasm provided the impetus. He took charge of the program last fall and turned this program around in less than a year, which is truly remarkable."

Cadet J.J. Donovan, Cadet Nate Bethea, Cadet Jim Hogue, Cadet Aaron Dewitt and Cadet Stephen Lawson -- all senior cadets last year -- were integral in the IU Army ROTC's success this year. They helped train the junior cadets who attended LDAC this summer.

Of the IU Army cadets who attended the 2007 LDAC, 62 percent of the attendees received an E (excellent) rating. The cadets who attended this year include:

Christopher Arnett (E rating)
Eric Bolan (E rating)
Patrick Corbett (E rating)
Joshua Craven (E rating)
Christopher Dempsey (E rating)
Amanda Fisher
Ryan Furman (E rating)
James Handley
Daniel Helton
Jennifer Jessee
Laura Jonikaitis
Brandon Lapehn (E rating)
Andrew Maitlen
John Nance
Amanda Paul (Nurse Cadet) (E rating)
David Preston (E rating)
Michael Puterill (E rating)
Ryan Shields (E rating)
Trent Sutterfield (E rating)
Andrew Syzek (E rating)
Nathaniel Tiffany

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