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Taino-Warriors

News Who we are…Taino Warriors

Batallion.

Above: 1st Platoon conducting an after action review after their Patrolling mission Left: Cdt Bermudez from Rio Company conducting

PCC & PCI before heading to the field. Mar 14 Edition

Inside

The Torch will always be lit, Cdt Jacinto Gutierrez.

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Dear Taino Warrior Battalion Cadets, Greetings from the cadets of Army ROTC UPR-Rio

Piedras Campus, classes of 1968-1972. It is with pride and joy that we congratulate all of you, and especially those cadets that are about to be commissioned as officers in the United States Army.

You have kept the “Torch Lit” (on the 1972 ROTC shoulder patch)! Who would have thought that the ROTC UPR program at Rio Piedras would be up and running today, with so many outstanding cadets, after that decisive day of March 11, 1971? An unforgettable day for all of us.

Forty three years ago, Army ROTC cadets “wrote history” as they battled left-wing radicals at UPR-Rio Piedras campus. Prior to this date, for about 18 months, the cadets had endured two major attacks while in the ROTC building (1969, 1970) and countless acts of violence throughout campus. The cadets were ambushed in the libraries, classrooms, student

Squad/Platoon

Lets Go to Salinas

Surviving CWST

Per Company

Taino-Bulldogs

Platoon/OPFOR

Cadet of the Month

Companies

Community Service

UNE Company

3

4

6

7

8

MAR14 Taino-Warriors Battalion

Calendar

(Continuation Page 1) Never Forget:

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center, parking lots and in the same fashion, a pack of radical cowards fought against a single cadet. Upon arriving on campus, the cadets were well aware they had entered “left-wing radical” territory, and that the only safe-haven was our ROTC building, our home on campus. After all these terrorist acts, the left-wing radicals were clear on one issue: the cadets were not going to give up. The cadets were in ROTC TO STAY and would keep the “Torch Lit” on Campus.

So, on March 11, 1971, the left-wing radicals (in the hundreds) launched a well-planned attack against the cadets in the ROTC building. Contrary to the previous two attacks, this time the radicals had weapons on hand. How they wished for the cadets to capitulate, but that was not about to happen! The cadets had more powerful weapons: will and courage. The cadets battled for hours on all fronts. We were frightened, but iron-willed on our commitment to keep the “Torch Lit.” We did it, but at a horrendous cost!!! Cadet Jacinto Gutierrez was mortally shot; two other cadets were also shot, but in time recovered. The radicals dispersed as the State Police entered campus, but not before two police officers were shot dead.

The cadets of those years didn’t have to endure the terrorist attacks of those eighteen months. They could have just gone away. However, we had the lawful right to study Military Sciences and so, we chose to stay, defend our ROTC program, and eventually be commissioned. We kept the “Torch Lit” and it has been passed from generation to generation. Now, cadets of the Taino-Warrior Battalion, you are the keepers of “The Torch” and you keep it “Lit” with all your military professionalism and successes. On your commissioning day, as the Second Lieutenant bars are pinned on your shoulders, please remember that Cadet Jacinto Gutierrez (RIP) made the ultimate sacrifice so you could be commissioned. Cadet Jacinto Gutierrez gave his life to keep the Army ROTC “Torch LIT” on UPR-Rio Piedras Campus. God Bless All of You!!!

Col(R) Waldemar E. Carmona Class of 1968-1972

! Georgia Shine

April 3-6, 2014

! Cadet Ball

April 12, 2014

! Holy Week

April 14-20, 2014

! APFT

May 2, 2014

! Staff Ride (MSIV/Cadre)

May 3, 2014

Taino-Warriors Battalion MAR14

Cadets getting ready for the mission in the assembly

area.

March was the month packed with training every week in order to prepare the MS3 for

LDAC this summer.

In February the cadet had a quick over view of how to conduct patrolling in Fort Buchanan,

during this lab in March 7th it was hands on and walking the distance to complete the mission.

During this lab MS3 were being evaluated in their leadership since the moment the mission

started. Then they were evaluated under the stress of having their position changed during the

mission.

In other hand they also had to learn first on the new Land Nav course in compare with last

semester, which was a cluster system, this time was they had to find the correct point in order to

pass.

Lets go to Salinas, we have Patrolling Mission

Cadets receiving a briefing about the new Land Nav Course.

MAR14 Taino-Warriors Battalion

A Cadet stepping off the platform in the 3-Meter

Drop Station.

During March 14th, Taino-Warriors had the opportunity to go once more to the Natatorium

of San Juan to have their second water survival.

In this Lab the cadet had the opportunity to face their fear of heights and water. At the same

time the MS1 & 2 the first experience of going to Lab as a group meet other fellow cadets from

their level.

Cadets were able to interact with other type of leadership, by meeting other MS4s and

Cadre members. Other cadets were able to learn to get confidence by taking a quick course on the

basic of swimming.

During the Lab MS3s who passed the CWST the first time, were able to receive a course on

the Regimental OPORD Process that they will encounter once they get to LDAC.

Surviving the 3-Meter Drop.

Cadets taking a quick course on basic swimming.

Taino-Warriors Battalion MAR14

Squad Leader waiting for instruction during Platoon

Mission.

During the Last Lab of the month of March, Taino-Warriors Battalion and Bulldogs

Battalion came together at Salina for three days.

This Lab was a quick over view of how LDAC would be, Taino-Warriors and Bulldogs

learning different tactics during the mission and acquiring leadership from others. Also learning

how to manage with people from different up bringing.

They also went through the whole mission from the OPORD process, to the executing, to

engaging with SAPA Force roles played by MS4s from both battalions.

In other hand, going through the Regimental OPORD Process during all three days in order

to be prepared for LDAC 2014 at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Taino and Bulldogs coming together once more

Cadets putting camouflage during security in the AA

MAR14 Taino-Warriors Battalion

Cad

ets

of th

e M

onth

Rio Piedras Company: CDT Ortiz, Andrea

• GPA: 3.10 • APFT: 271 • Motivated during PT and

Leads by Example. • Received an award during

LTC 13 • Performs well under pressure

and excided expectations during her position as Rio Company Commander during the month of January and Executive Officer during the JFAX with Bulldog Battalion.

Bayamon Company: CDT Perez, Luis

• APFT: 300 • Sets the example for physical

fitness and military bearing. • Completed all of the physical

demanding endeavors in garrison and in the field during the JFAX with the Bulldog Battalion.

• Projects command presence and authority.

• Participates and is a key component of the community services events preformed by the company.

Taino-Warriors Battalion MAR14

Community Service

UN

E C

omp

any:

Hog

ar N

uev

a E

sper

anza

C

adets of th

e Mon

th

Fajardo Company: CDT Angulo, Denis

• GPA: 4.00 • APFT: 324 • Command presence. • Professional and very respectful • Excellent communication with his

peers and superiors and conducts everything motivation an enthusiasm.

• Excellent leader that goes with the philosophy of "I say and I do also".

• Always helping others, teaching and mentoring them.

MSIII CDT Rojas, Yelson from UNE Company took the initiative to organize this event. Him and other cadets decided to spend some time with people in need.

In this case, they went to “Hogar la Nueva Esperanza” to assist elderly people over the age of 60 with household chores such as: doing the laundry, distributing the daily snack and having a talk with them. It was a very rewarding experience for them learning to enjoy and cherish their time there.

Taino-Warriors Batallion

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Credits Writer & Edit: c/CPT. Olmos, Maria Writer & Photo: c/MSG. Carrasquillo, Angel

This Newsletter is dedicated to Cdt Jacinto Gutierrez Velez and the Class of 1968-1972, for their bravery and honor in defending what they believed in.

In March 11, 1970 cadets were ambushed in libraries, classrooms, student center and parking lot. Which took the life of one brave cadet. Never forget him or all the cadets that battled that day. We Salute You.

Did You Know Taino-Warriors?

Taino-Warriors News MAR14