Summer 2014

Volume 9, Issue 2

South Dakota State University

Army ROTC Alumni

West Point of the Plains

Inside this

issue:

• 2LT Profiles

• WPPA

Where Are We

Now

Commissioning

Alumni Features

Would you consider

an alumni feature

article?

Email your stories,

accomplishments, and

pictures to:

Garnet.wosje@sdstate.edu

Commander’s Corner

Mark your calendars –

Hobo Day

25Oct14

Hello from the West Point of the Plains. I hope everyone is having a good summer with family and friends. We had a great 2013-2014 school year as we commissioned 12 new lieutenants during the school year. COL(R) Liz Johnson (SDSU alumni) shared her Army nursing experiences with the newest 2LTs in the U.S. Army. The new lieutenants are very excited for their future endeavors while they serve this great nation and serve the American people. We wish them all the best and you will never know when you run into a SDSU grad! Currently, cadets are attending training at Fort Knox, KY. Yes, I said Fort Knox, cadets no longer train at lovely Fort Lewis, WA. The primary location change was due to resources. Additionally, Fort Knox is home to Cadet Command. Of course the weather is much hotter in Knox than Lewis. As you can imagine there are growing pains when changing locations and the Army adapts and overcomes. Many more changes are coming for Army ROTC, LDAC is no longer the term used, but rather CST (Cadet Summer Training). Starting in the summer of 2015, cadets will attend CLC (Cadet Leader Course) to focus on Officership and leadership tasks, culminating with a complex field exercise. Additionally, cadets will be required to attend CIET (Cadet Initial Entry Training). This training will focus on basic training tasks. As many of you know, last fall the Army wanted to close some ROTC programs. As of now, no Army ROTC programs are closing, but we will wait and see especially with all the cutbacks in the DoD and the end of missions in Afghanistan by December 31st, 2014. SDSU Army ROTC turns 100 in 2016! It is time to celebrate 100 years on the campus of SDSU. Feel free to share your ideas with me or the West Point of the Alumni Association. Thank you for your service to this great nation. I know you are all proud of your military service and I hope your Army ROTC experience has helped you wherever you served. I hope you will continue to support the SDSU Army ROTC program and promote SDSU in your hometown.

West Point of the Plains

(Commander’s Corner Continued)

Stop by DePuy Military Hall anytime you are on campus, we would love to visit with you. Feel free to contact me at your convenience. My cell number is (605)215.2823 or my email address is aaron.schultz@sdstate.edu

Sincerely,

Aaron C. Schultz LTC, FIELD ARTILLERY Professor of Military Science

2LT Spotlight: 2LT Elizabeth Rozell

Meet Second Lieutenant Elizabeth Rozell from Mansfield, SD. Liz graduated and commissioned in May of this year with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing major with a minor in Military Science. She has been assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She will attend Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sam Houston, TX, before she reports to Fort Bragg. Currently Liz is working at DePuy Military Hall as a Gold Bar Recruiter. Liz contracted as a Cadet into the Army ROTC program during her freshman year here at SDSU. She was involved in Drill Club, Cateau Rangers, volunteered with Meals-on-Wheels, worked for Safe Ride, and sang the National Anthem at SDSU sporting events as well as special ROTC events. In the summer of 2013, she attended Warrior Forge, the Leadership Development and Assessment Course at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington and was rated as "Excellent" when camp was complete. From Washington, she flew to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, for Nurses Summer Training Program (NSTP) and worked alongside an active duty Captain in the Intensive Care Unit to learn and utilize the skills she learned in the Nursing program at SDSU. Upon her return, 2LT Rozell served as the West Point of the Plain's Battalion S-5 and Executive Officer and assisted in preparing younger Cadets to succeed in the program.

West Point of the Plains

I would like to take this opportunity to say hello to everyone as the new President of the West Point of the Plains

Association. My “Tip of the Day” to you is to be careful when attending board meetings - you might win an

election for an office you didn’t even know you were running for.

As alumni of both SDSU and Army ROTC, we all share a permanent bond and common roots to South Dakota.

Although some of us are closer to home and campus than others, my goal is to keep all alumni informed and

involved with Army ROTC activities. My other goal is to continue to act as a “booster” organization that can

assist the Military Science Department where possible with donations for additional scholarships or other funding

shortfalls.

You may have heard of the attempt to close 14 Army ROTC programs throughout the U.S. last year (an attempt

that thankfully failed). SDSU was not on the list but that does not mean a similar occurrence is not a possibility in

the future. We can help our ROTC program stay vibrant through donations if you are so inclined, but also by

becoming recruiters by extension. I would ask that you never pass up the opportunity to tell someone about SDSU

and Army ROTC. Whether a high school student looking at colleges, a parent, or a young enlisted soldier

considering earning their commission, get the word out. They might not be aware of all the advantages attending

State brings with it. With less than 1% of our population in uniform, they also might not have considered

becoming an Army Officer. The best thing we can do for our Army is to find the next generation of leaders.

Remember back when someone saw potential in you, and you became an SDSU Army ROTC Cadet?

I encourage all of you to be involved at some level in our alumni association. If you are close enough in distance

to attend meetings or help at events that would be great. If your Army or civilian career has you far away from

Brookings, try to attend one of our reunions. Trust me, it is a lot of fun to see how different people look today

versus how you remember them from college days. In addition, there is no substitute for catching up in person

instead of staying in touch on Facebook. We are currently in the planning stage for our next reunion in the fall of

2016 which also coincides with ROTC’s 100-year anniversary.

Brookings is growing, the campus is constantly changing, but one constant is DePuy Military Hall and Army

ROTC. I hope you come for a visit sometime soon.

Tom Martin, Class of 1989

West Point of the Plains Association Changes Leadership

Army ROTC History -- The Eagle on the front of DePuy Military Hall is an insignia used by the Work Projects Administration (WPA) in the 1930s and 1940s. The WPA employed millions of unemployed works during this period and most every town has a building or road constructed by the WPA. The WPA liquidated in 1943 due to low unemployment during the worker shortage of WW II. The armory, now named DePuy Military Hall, was built in 1942. As with all building constructed by the WPA, the Administrator, Harry L. Hopkins, had the emblem install on the building. The eagle head faces left.

West Point of the Plains

On 9May14, ten Army ROTC Cadets received their commission into the US Army. Spencer Biermann, Kyle Cooper, Cole Doherty, Katherine Elifson, Eric Flynn, Darin Kirkman, Derek Lankford, Alyssa Pederson, Elizabeth Rozell and Ryan Rumpca were commissioned in a ceremony at Lincoln Music Hall on the

campus of South Dakota State University. Colonel (Retired) Elizabeth Johnson, SDSU Army ROTC Class of 1982, was the guest speaker. The ceremony was well attended by the campus community, family and friends of the commissionees. These new officers are already in various locations. 2LT Biermann and 2LT Flynn are at the Infantry Officer Basic Course; 2LT Elifson is supporting camp at Fort Knox, KY. 2LT Doherty and 2LT Rozell are Gold Bar Recruiters working in our office until they go to BOLC in August. 2LT Lankford, 2LT Pederson and 2LT Rumpca are officers in the SDARNG, while

2LT Cooper is in the Iowa ARNG. 2LT Darin Kirkman is attending seminary, a delay to his active duty career as a Chaplain. 2LT Kirkman was issued the oath of office by 1LT Kale Skogen, SDSU ROTC Class of 2011. Please welcome these 2LTs as alumni of Army ROTC at SDSU.

Hooah..…….CPT Adam Sokolowski, Class of 2004, for his hard work and dedication on a project at Fort Bliss, TX. Adam worked diligently to secure a new affiliation agreement between University Medical Center in El Paso, TX, and Fort Bliss that allows military medical personnel assigned to the 31st Combat Support Hospital to work alongside UMC staff in the hospital’s trauma center and ICU. This opportunity will help sharpen the skills of the medical personnel during time periods when they are not deployed to a war zone or a domestic disaster area.

West Point of the Plains

Alumni and Friends of Army ROTC have been stopping by the office, calling and sending emails to stay in touch. That’s so much fun! Thank you for taking the time to stop by for the visit or attended one of our social events. Emails and phone calls are also appreciated. The Cadets and Cadre from the Department of Military Science sincerely thank Alumni and Friends who support the Army ROTC Program. We appreciate the connection between the current program’s Cadets and Cadre and Alumni and Friends. Our appreciation to MG Robert Schulte, Rob Tobin, Chase Olson, Peter Hauff, Tom Martin, Paul Gibson, Lynn Hohensee, Bill & Eleanor Taylor, Jim Willard, Barb (Hensrud) Sturgill, Le Gaub, Rick Crawford, Krisma DeWitt, Nick Arnio, Denny Lungren, Bernie Ellis, Brandi Lohrenz, Jerry Jorgensen, Chris Vickers, Diane Renz, Adam Blankenfeld, Logan Beiswanger, Brittany Pearson, Brittany Staab, Josh Vernlund, Joe Winter, Adam Sokolowski, John Kain, Elle Miller, Liz Johnson, Steven Richter, Randy Nelson, Gene & JoAnne Goodale, BG Myrna Williamson, Sydney Johnson, David Heath, Emily VanKlompenburg, Kale Skogen, Richard Heitkamp, Frank Luczak, Ethan Shafer, David & Mary Howard, Lowell Kruse and Orv Smidt for their visits, calls or emails. Please accept an apology if you were not listed; the list may not be all-inclusive. Sincere thanks to the Army ROTC program donors. Some Alumni and Friends have donated to the Army ROTC Foundation Fund, The West Point of the Plains, while others have endowed scholarships. Army ROTC has received generous donations these past few months from Spence Hawley, Greg Petrik, Gary Wattnem, Steve Kool, Gene and JoAnn Goodale, Evan and Diane Renz, Dr. & Mrs. Michael Adelaine, Dave & Mary Howard, Martin & Gloria Kloster, Orv Smidt, Duane & Barbara Harms, Jerry & JoAnne Jorgensen, Richard & Kathryn Howard, Don Bunkers, and the family of Marlin Scarborough. Our Cadets and Cadre appreciate the various ways alumni can ‘give back’ to the Army ROTC program. Plan to attend a social function, stop by for a cup of coffee, teach a class or contribute financially to the program through the SDSU Foundation website http://www.sdsufoundation.org Contribute through the Foundation’s secure donation site or print and clip the contribution tab on the last page of the newsletter and mail your donation to our department. Our staff can deposit your contribution at the SDSU Foundation. All donations are tax deductible. The SDSU Foundation maintains an account for our department, the West Point of the Plains Account. Our department uses the funds to subsidize events such as paying for travel expenses when Cadets travel to Ranger Challenge or Buddy Ranger competitions, to cover the costs of a meal when the department hosts a welcome back activity at the beginning of a semester or for a meal at an FTX. There are many memories and stories to share between alumni and staff and Cadets. If you are interested in sharing a story, photos, or history of the program in an article for an upcoming newsletter, please contact garnet.wosje@sdstate.edu Everyone has a story to tell; please consider sharing yours. Thank you to all Alumni and Friends of Army ROTC for your generosity. Together we can continue to produce the best officers in the US Army.

Alumni and Friends

West Point of the Plains

2LT Cole Doherty, Brookings, SD, attended South Dakota State University

and was commissioned on 9May14. He had a 4-year Army ROTC Scholarship

and was a History major.

2LT Doherty led the Cadet Battalion as the Commander during Fall Semester

2013 and was the Cadet S-5 in the spring semester. When Cadet Doherty

attended the Cultural Understanding and Language Program in Spain, he

taught English at the Spanish Airborne School and was able to earn Spanish

Airborne Wings. 2LT Doherty said, “My time spent in Spain for CULP was

the most nourishing experience in my ROTC career. I gained so many

valuable lessons and friends from the trip that it remains unmatched by any other trip I have been on.” Cadet

Doherty successfully completed CTLT at Fort Benning, GA, Cadet Field Training at West Point and Airborne

School. He routinely scores 300+ on the Army Physical Fitness Test.

2LT Doherty is a Gold Bar Recruiter at SDSU and has been recruiting at Freshman Orientation sessions

throughout the summer. He will be attending the Medical Service Corps Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort

Sam Houston, TX, in August. His first active duty assignment is to Italy.

A little background information on why I am writing about myself. Garnet has been trying to get me to write this for several

years and as the persevering drop of water eventually splits the stone; she finally won.

I enrolled at SDSU in the fall of 1985 as an Army ROTC Four Year Scholarship Cadet. Yes, that pre-dates Garnet by one

year. I majored in History and minored in Economics and Military Science. That should probably be in reverse order, since I

think I spent more time at DMH than any other academic building on campus. I was a member of the Cateau Rangers and

2LT Spotlight 2LT Cole Doherty

Alumni Feature LTC (Retired) Thomas Martin

The exterior of DePuy Military Hall was painted this week!

West Point of the Plains

Continuation/Alumni Feature: LTC (Retired) Thomas Martin

the Ranger Challenge Team all four years of school. Those early morning ruck marches in all weather (was that a snowplow

we just passed?) made for some great memories and great friends.

After graduation and commissioning, I attended flight school at Fort Rucker, AL, and was learning to hover a helicopter

when Saddam invaded Kuwait. Training and learning to fly suddenly became a lot more serious. But, the 100 Hour War

meant I did not make it to the desert this time. Once I had my wings, I was sent to Fort Hood for a year to be part of a new

Apache Attack Helicopter Battalion being assembled for eventual stationing in Germany. At the time, I was a Scout Platoon

Leader flying OH-58 A/C’s, and learned the meaning of “red-headed bastard step child” when trying to keep up with the

much faster AH-64’s during our training. We finished our year but with the end of the Cold War drawdown well underway,

the Germany assignment was cancelled and instead we were assigned to Fort Bragg, NC. That’s ok; I always wanted a

maroon beret anyway. We enjoyed our short couple of years at Bragg, and our sons Mathew and Thomas were born there in

1993. More on them later.

I was sent back to “Mother Rucker” again for another year; this time for what is now known as the Captain’s Career Course,

then the AH-64 Apache transition (no more scout pilot, now I have guns) and the Aviation Maintenance Manager’s Course.

A quick note on the maintenance course: I didn’t want to go, I went kicking and screaming, but once I started working

aviation maintenance I found out I enjoyed it. Sometimes things happen for a reason. And as fate would have it, our next

duty station was in Illesheim, Germany so we still ended up going to Deutschland.

I never intended to stay in the Army as long as I did. Over the years, I did more time at Rucker, Hood, Ft. Leavenworth for

Command & General Staff College, and had some great commands and assignments. I have the “t-shirt” for Iraq and

Bosnia, and had the opportunity to see several South American and Central American countries. Our second to last duty

station was Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, which is one of the Army’s best-kept secrets. For what became my last

assignment before I retired, I accepted the Professor of Military Science position at the University of South Dakota. I know,

you’re thinking, “USD, how could you?!” Actually, it wasn’t a hard decision since SDSU’s PMS position has been for an

AGR officer since the early 1990s, accepting USD was the only way I could get stationed back “home.” But what a great

job, no matter what school. Building the leaders of tomorrow’s Army - to me it does not get any better.

Now, about those future leaders and why I always refer to assignments, etc. as “our” and “we.” An Army career is a family

affair whether they like it or not. Growing up in that environment has its challenges but also rewards. My sons have seen

and done more things than most people do in a lifetime. But, they also attended three different high schools. We didn’t plan

it, but we are definitely an Army Family. Barbara served for ten years on Active Duty before we met. Both of our fathers

were also Army NCOs. Now both our sons are wearing green. Thomas enlisted immediately after high school and is a proud

paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. He was still a teenager when he earned his combat patch in Afghanistan. Mathew is

paralleling my route. He is an SDSU Army ROTC scholarship Cadet who just finished LDAC and is entering his senior

year to complete his Civil Engineering degree enroute to earning his Gold Bar. Another parallel is fellow Cadet Jacob

Kruse, son of my former roommate and now Colonel Lowell Kruse. No, they don’t live together, that would be too much.

Plus I don’t think Brookings could survive another Martin/Kruse ROTC house.

Overall, it was a pretty good run, but the Army is a young man’s sport so I retired back in 2013. Barbara decided she could

handle the South Dakota winters so we stayed. We have a place in the country outside of Burbank (I can teach at “The U”

but I drew the line at having a Vermillion address). It was time to pass the torch to the next generation who will have just as

many challenges as my generation did. We are going through another personnel drawdown, more budget cuts and all of this

in a world that is becoming increasingly volatile. A challenging world for our future leaders, but they are up to the task. Just

by choosing SDSU, they are starting on the right path.

West Point of the Plains

There has been some interest in “Where Are We Now” feature in the alumni newsletter. The intent is to connect old friends with each other or perhaps connect alumni living in the same party of the country as each other. The page will include the information you want posted whether it be a brief synopsis of your career or list merely list name, area and contact information.

Chris Vickers, commissioned as a Chemical Corps officer in 1981. Selected Active Duty with the 1st ID 83-87, Branch transferred to Engineers and served as platoon leader and detachment commander, SD National Guard 87-90, Reserve 90-93. Currently managing partner of Vickers – Kempf, a law firm in the Dallas area. Married to Julie; two sons, Tom and Patrick. cvickers@vickerslaw.net

David Heath, commissioned MP in 1989. Commander, Joint Detention Group, Joint

Task Force – Guantanamo, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; david.e.heath@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil Mike Kain, Class of 1969. Active Duty for 29+ years; retired after working 16 years at

Northrop Grumman as director for a major Army contract. Living in and loving the Black Hills of SD. Lancer16ab@yahoo.com

Bruce Kyllonen, Class of 2002, AN. Currently on a year-long mobilization tour at Fort

Bliss, TX, SRP site, working on nursing specialty certifications. Wife, Jacki, and 3 children, living at Sleepy Eye, MN, during the mobilization. Active duty grads, Amy Bray (2001), Amy Thompson (2001), Spencer Biermann (2014) and Katherine Elifson (2014) are all at Fort Bliss. Bruce.a.kyllonen.mil@mail.mil

Joe Winter, Class of 1993, AN. Program Manager for Medical Simulation Training Centers

AMEDDC&S, Ft. Sam Houston, TX. Married to Carly for 18 happy years, 16 year old son, Jack, & 13 year old daughter, Alyssa. joseph.n.winter.mil@mail.mil

Randal Nelson, Class of 1989, LG. Commander, 7th Trans BDE, Joint Base Langley-Eustis;

Randy & Celeste live in Williamsburg, VA. Son, Sam, is a 2LT in the AL ARNG, 10th Special Forces; daughter, Jade, is a senior at Middle Tennessee State University. Randal.w.nelson.mil@mail.mil

SDSU Alumni --- Where Are We Now

Check the alumni face book page:

South Dakota State

University Army ROTC Alumni

West Point of the Plains

CPT James Berreth is currently serving as a Judge Advocate in the U.S.

Army. He officially joined the Corps in February 2012. He is assigned to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. There, he serves as Trial Counsel for the unit. In the JAG Corps, Trial Counsel serve as prosecutors and represent the U.S. Army in courts martial. The variety of crimes he has advised commands on includes theft, sexual assault, child abuse, and homicide cases. If it falls under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, CPT Berreth is responsible for it.

His journey to becoming a JAG Officer started in the spring of 2007, a junior at SDSU. While he participated in

ROTC the previous year, he officially became a cadet in 2007. While a cadet, he attended Winter Mountain Warfare School, competed in RANGER Challenge, and Best Buddy Competition. The highlight being winning the Best Buddy Competition with his twin brother in 2007. CPT Berreth completed his MS III year during his senior year and attended LDAC in the summer of 2008. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in July 2008. He will be forever known as an “end of camp commissionee.” However, that was only the beginning of his career in the U.S. Army.

After being ranked near the top of his class nationally, CPT Berreth attended law school in the fall of 2008 on an “educational delay.” However, before law school, he married his longtime girlfriend, Kate Wylie (SFC (retired) Chavez always wondered what she saw in him!).

For the next three years, he worked towards his Juris Doctorate. Along the way, CPT Berreth interned for a local South Dakota law firm as well as the State of South Dakota. After graduating from law school, CPT Berreth passed the bar exam and was accepted into the JAG Corps. On Super Bowl Sunday in 2012, he officially started the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course which brought him to various locations including Fort Lee, Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Fort Benning, Georgia. Once JAOBC was complete, he attended Airborne School and officially lost his “leg” status. However, to his twin brother, Andrew Berreth, he will always be a “leg.” After jump school, he reported to Fort Wainwright, Alaska. While at Fort Wainwright, he has served as a legal assistance attorney, operational law attorney, tax center OIC, and trial counsel.

During his time off, CPT James Berreth enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his wife and friends. In September, he and his wife will welcome their first child.

He is constantly amazed by how small the U.S. Army is. He has ran into SDSU Alum from Fort Benning to Fort Wainwright to even Korea. Not surprising, though, Jackrabbit Alum are always found in top billets. CPT Berreth would like to express his gratitude to his ROTC military instructors and his colleagues. Without any of you, “I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

ALUMNI FEATURE Captain James Berreth

West Point of the Plains

Governor’s

Day was introduced

on the SDSU campus

in 1960 under Colonel

Frederic D. Ray,

PMS. He traveled

here primarily for the

purpose of taking part

in the awards

ceremony by presenting the Governor’s Cup and was

seated on the reviewing stand as the Cadets marched in review. Initially, the ceremony was held

on the campus green with inclement weather moving it to the “Barn” for a few years. The

Governor’s Day ceremony has been held in the Coughlin Alumni Stadium, Lincoln Music Hall

and in Frost Arena.

Years ago, the Governor hosted a noon

luncheon attended by the college president and

various VIPs as well as the Army and Air Force

Cadre, spouses and Cadet Colonels. In the 1970s,

other departments wanted to become part of the

Governor’s visit to campus and the military

significance decreased. In recent years, the Governor’s busy agenda has made

it difficult to fit the ceremony into the Governor’s schedule. In the years that

the Governor could not attend the ceremony, the ceremony has been called

“Military Appreciation Day”. Governor Dennis Daugaard attended the ceremony held on Sylvan

Green in 2014.

A Governor’s Day Tradition

West Point of the Plains

Professor of Military Science LTC Aaron Schultz aaron.schultz@sdstate.edu Senior Military Instructor MSG Charles White charles.white@sdstate.edu Assistant Professor of Military Science CPT Geoff Guthrie geoff.guthrie@sdstate.edu Enrollment Scholarship Officer Mr. Troy Ness troy.ness@sdstate.edu Military Instructor Mr. John Mahlen john.mahlen@sdstate.edu Supply Technician Russ Chavez russel.chavez@sdstate.edu Human Resource Assistant Garnet Wosje garnet.wosje@sdstate.edu

South Dakota State University Army ROTC Alumni

Newsletter

Department of Military Science South Dakota State University

Box 2236 Brookings, SD 57007-1597

PHONE:

(605) 688-6151

FAX: (605) 688-6372

EMAIL:

Garnet.wosje@sdstate.edu

We’re on the Web!

See us at:

http://www.sdstate.edu/msl

Be the first

alumnus to identify

this photo and win

a t-shirt!

HOW CAN YOU HELP ARMY ROTC? 1. The West Point of the Plains Foundation Account provides financial support to the overall Army ROTC program. Please make donations payable to the SDSU Foundation account 70423. 2. The Greater State Fund was established by the SDSU Foundation in recent years to provide another opportunity for donors to support Army ROTC. Please make donations payable to the SDSU Foundation account 70967. 3. The Colonel Dwight L. Adams Scholarship was established several years ago in honor of COL Adams’ investment in Army ROTC. He was PMS for several years and supported the program for many more years while he lived in Brookings. The scholarship fund is nearly depleted, and the account will be closed without additional support. The fund has provided one Cadet a $500 scholarship each year. Please make donations payable to the SDSU Foundation account 80009. Your donations to any of the great programs listed above will ensure that the West Point of the Plains Battalion Cadets will carry on your legacy and that the SDSU Army ROTC remains Army Strong! To access the SDSU Foundation website, please follow the link to http://www.sdsufoundation.org/ and click on the “How to Give” tab or mail donations to the SDSU Foundation, Box 525, Brookings, SD 57007. See us at FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/SDSUArmyROTCAlumni