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Taino-Warriors

News Who we are…Taino Warriors

Batallion.

Above: Ranger Challenge in ACU and combat boots running the 4.5 Mile. Left: Metro, Rio and UNE Company came together for a whole week to

conduct Physical Training at the Battalion Headquarter. Oct-13 Edition

Inside

Getting ready for a Challenge, Ranger Challenge

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Greetings Taino Warriors,

The 2013-2014 School Year Ranger Challenge train up is off and running in preparation for the 6th Brigade Competition at Camp Blanding, Florida during 24-27 January 2014.

The event puts 38 ROTC schools against each other

during a grueling two day event consisting of Zero and Marksmanship Range, Hand Grenade Range, Land Navigation, Obstacle Course, Triage, One Rope Bridge, OE 254 Assembly and Operation, Zodiac, and finally the unknown Commanders Challenge.

Brigade’s winner will move on to compete during

Annual Sandhurst Challenge at the United States Army

Hero of the Month:

Demonstrating leadership

First Field Experience:

Squad tactics and Land Nav

Joint PT:

Rio, UNE & Metro Company

Situation:

First time in Camp Santiago

Campus Corner:

Metro Co. & Turabo Co.

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Taino-Warriors Battalion OCT13

Warrior Ethos

(Continuation Page 1) Challenge:

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Military Academy at West Point, New York. The last time a Taino Warriors Team competed in Ranger Challenge was in 2011 when they placed third overall.

Our number one goal and expectation for this year’s

event is placing first at the Brigade Level and move on to Sandhurst. It’s a daunting task but with hard work, dedication to the “One Team” concept and the strong desire to win I have no doubt that everyone to include spectators and competitors will clearly know who we are after we are declared to overall winner.

Eleven Cadets will be proudly representing our

program at Camp Blanding, nine primary and two alternates. Our current Ranger Challenge team now consists of over 25 Cadets and more keep on asking how can I join? This is a demonstration of the competitive spirit that is brewing in our organization and will play a key role throughout the train up and the actual events.

Good Luck to all the Cadets that are currently a

member of the Ranger Challenge Team. The primary trainers are our newly assigned Military Science Instructors, MSG Huff and SFC Frantz and under their outstanding leadership and training we will be successful and victorious.

MSG Gladston Phinn

Senior Military Science Instructor.

I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade.

Taino-Warriors Battalion OCT13

Hero of the Month This month one cadet has distinguished himself by being

knowledgeable, exemplifying military bearing, loyalty and selfless service. Cdt Davila, Victor, a current MSIII with the heart and mind into becoming an Army officer. He joined the ROTC early February of 2012. “I joined the ROTC because this program allows you to accomplish your goals as a professional and as a leader.” Said Davila. During the Summer 2013, Davila was part of a four weeks training called Leadership Training Course (LTC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he was awarded for the Highest APFT with a score of 351. Later on he was award once more for his performance in APFT at beginnings of Fall 2013 with a score of 361. On Sept. 19th 2013, he took the first step into becoming an Army officer, taking the first oath into becoming a contracted cadet. Leading by example, Cdt Davila, truly demonstrates a constant motivation during all events and participates in voluntary basis with the same motivation as it will

count. Victor poses a 3.04 GPA. He is also part of the Ranger Challenge team Since his MSII year, he has been constantly seeking for guidance and new leadership opportunities to help him develop his skills as a leader. What demonstrate his eager for new knowledge. “I want to become a better leader everyday where I can help others and become a better person as well to become part of something bigger.” Said Victor.

Cdt. Davila, Victor, when he was being awarded for the highest APFT

Taino-Warriors Battalion OCT13

Cadets conducting movement drills during the first field lab at Fort Buchanan

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On Oct 4th, MSIII woke up early for their first Field experience at Fort Buchanan. Once their MSIII were assigned to their perspective platoon. They got their first experience of working as a platoon and a squad at the same time they learned different skills of doing Land Nav. MSIV after there experience at LDAC guideline all MSIII levels on the proper procedure of using Troop Leading Procedures, which consist of 8 steps to complete the mission. Once they encountered the basics of squad movement and formation, they went through a obstacle course which challenge was to go under engineer tape; low crawling, high crawling and 2-3 second sprint with the purpose to maintain security, cover and concealment from their enemies once they encounter a actually mission.

First field experience of the MSIII: back to the basics.

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The purpose of this training was to prepare them for what they will encounter during Squad/ Patrol tactics days at the Joint FTX with Mayaguez and LDAC 2014.

Land Navigation was also a most during

Cadet conducting 2-3s Sprint

Taino-Warriors Battalion OCT13

Cadets going up one out of many hills during the 4.5 miles Ruck March.

MSIII didn’t know what to expect, the battalion joined together once more to conduct their first 4.5mile Ruck March.

For some cadets it was the first time they put on the 45-pound Ruck March even if it was heavy they kept motivated to do it. Cadets were motivated and excited for the challenge of going up steep hills.

As the warriors ethos say “I will never quit” MSIII did prove that once they encountered the first uphill it was not time to quit, it was time go in a faster pace. Some sang cadences others helped their battle buddies to keep in pace. All the cadets finished on time.

Ruck March: Up Hill…Down Hill.

Some cadets during the ruck march.

Taino-Warriors Battalion OCT13

Msg. Phinn giving out instructions

During the month of October Metro, Rio and UNE Company came together to do physical training at Rio Piedras headquarters at the same time the whole Battalion came together to conduct our first Ruck March at the Fort Buchanan perimeter

Rio, UNE and Metro Company woke up to the sound of a motivated PT. Cadets learn about

helping your battle buddies never letting them quit.

Cadets during whole PT session were motivated to keep going. Once they were done, they conducted a friendly competition of push ups, sit ups and running were UNE company won the push ups, Metro Company won the running and Rio Company won sit ups. Everyone was a winner.

Physical Training: Companies United

Physical Training with companies

Taino-Warriors Battalion OCT13

This past weekend of the 25th and 26th

of October, the Taino-Warrior Battalion planned and conducted training. In order to prepare MS III cadets for up coming LDAC 2014 which will take place at Fort Knox. Cadets have been working and studying in order to prepare themselves, since the beginning of the semester on land navigation and squad tactics.

During this training cadets, put in to practice what they learned in class. This year Taino

warrior battalion had over 80% of their cadets pass the land navigation course from the get go. Cadre states " we haven't had this passing rate in a few years". On the looks of the passing rate, it seems like this year cadres and MSIVs are determine to help develop and train the cadets. Once in Squad Tactics, cadets were able to observe and develop a better understanding of their leadership role and apply them to the exercise. Some cadets were overwhelmed on the fact of " taking charge", but endured through the obstacle of nervousness and the fear of failing. The majority of the cadets were able to understand and execute to standard. Cadre states," We are training cadet to exceed the standard this year, I am not conforming on sending a cadet to LDAC with the mind set on

'meeting the standard'. This year MSIII's will become proficient on the training need and the will to exceed camp standards and Taino-Warriors Battalion will be in the eyes and ears of everyone.

Situation: being aware.

Cadet double-checking his plotting.

Cadets receiving the mission

Taino-Warriors Battalion OCT13

On September 21, 2013, Metro Campus conducted its first community service event of the school year.

The event took place at the “Casa Cuna” in San Juan. Casa Cuna is a children’s rescue center for abandoned kids or abused kids in Puerto Rico.

Metro Campus Cadets donated several goods for the kids in the shelter ranging from juices, candy, pampers, baby food too coloring books toys.

The day of the activity there was face painting, games, an inflatable playhouse and cotton candy for the kids and staff of the center.

The Cadets played; feed and face painted the kids and even received face paint from some of the kids at the center. The kids took a very strong liking to the Cadets even to the extent of crying when the day’s activity was over.

The activity was conduct with the intent of demonstrating to the community but most importantly the kids that the Army and the ROTC cares about them. This was an extremely rewarding experience for all the cadets and allowed them to give back to the community.

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Metro Company

Taino-Warriors Battalion OCT13

This past 28th of September; Wolfpack company (Cadets from the University of Turabo, approximately 14 cadets) volunteered to contribute to the community.

There they were willing to help, so they volunteer and help an elder woman that has multiple health problems that constantly disables her to keep the maintenance of her home up to date.

The cadets plan and tasked organized there event, procedures that helps them develop their mental agility in preparation to there follow evaluation in LDAC.

Wolfpack Company searched and gain for the resources from a local church that

they needed to enable them to cut the elder woman's grass and help move furniture around the elder woman's home. Wolfpack gave a great service and showed team work and pier cohesion. Using this event as example that the US Army is willing to serve their nation.

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Turabo Company

Taino-Warriors Battalion OCT13

Dear Taino Warriors Battalion,

Over the last 18 months I have grown to truly care for and admire the Cadets in our Battalion. In a world where there is so much crime and negative actions it’s truly refreshing to see a great group of future leaders volunteering to server our nation. As I stand back and converse with my fellow Cadre I can’t help but to notice how far you have come and feel proud of your accomplishments. When of each of you came to the ROTC Program you arrived wide eyed and full of questions; today as I depart our family I see a group of determined and ambitious young men and women taking our historic Battalion to new heights. I would like to leave you with some small words for the times ahead and the decisions to be made. Those that know me well have heard me quote GEN. Douglas MacArthur and today I would like to continue in this practice. GEN. MacArthur once prayed “Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.” Today I ask for you to take a minute and internalize this words as they will serve as rallying points if you are ever lost in the “Fog of War’ or the crosshairs of Right or Wrong. A true leader must take the necessary time to reflect and perform an auto assessment to ensure he stays sharp, knowledgeable and has not forgotten that in order to lead effectively both feet must be firmly planted on the ground providing distance, direction and purpose. In your search to become leaders never worry about evaluations or awards those only look good on uniforms; focus rather on taking care of Soldiers and their families for after 20 years ribbons turn green and lose their shine but your leadership will remain in the hearts of those Soldiers who’s lives you changed. In your career there will be high’s and low’s but I challenge you to stay the course. In my short but event filled life I have learned that God only gives his largest and most difficult battles to his greatest warriors. A Soldier never quits because he knows he carries the nation’s freedom within his soul. I once again turn to GEN. MacArthur and his quote “Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.” to put in perspective the importance of never quitting. Lastly I will as ask but one thing from you as our Army’s future leaders; Love your job and love your Soldiers and the day you no longer feel the love it’s time to hang up the uniform for you have become Combat Ineffective. God Bless you all and see you on the High Ground!!

-CPT Rodriguez Metro Co. OIC

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CPT Rodriguez, Carmelo

Taino-Warriors Battalion OCT13

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Credits Writer & Edit: c/CPT. Olmos, Maria Writer: c/MSG. Carrasquillo, Angel Photos: Cdt. Lugo, Magdiel

The Army ROTC Rio Piedras Campus used to be the Infantry Unit of the Reserve Officer Training Corps and Mayagüez Army ROTC was the Field Artillery Unit during the 1919 and the advance camp back then, now known as LDAC used to be conducted at Fort San Cristobal in San Juan Puerto Rico.

Did You Know Taino-Warriors?

Taino-Warriors News OCT13