ROTC Cadet of the Month

October 2009



Chief Warrant Officer David Gutierres

Cadet Nicholas Patton
Dennis Kaan introduced Ram Army Battalion Cadre member Chief Warrand Officer David Gutierres to introduct the Cadet of the Month. CWO Gutierres told us that Cadet Nicholas Pattton is a senior from Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch Colorado and that he serves as the Battalion Logistics Officer, where as one of his duties is the leader of the CSU Cannon Crew at CSU Football games.

Nicholas said that he has always had a passion to serve, which led him to join the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and later Army ROTC. He was the president of his fraternity and selected as a member in the Order of Omega, a senior greek honor society. He also helps with Ram Ride, Positive Impact and CSU Unity. After serving in the army as a commissioned officer for three years he hopes to get assigned to Army Intelligence.

September 2009


Col. Jenny Pickett
Cadet Thomas Payne
Past Professor of Aerospace Science at CSU ,Dennis Kaan, introduced the new Professor of Aerospace Science at CSU, Col. Jenny Pickett, a tanker pilot, to introduce the Cadet of the month, cadet Thomas Payne. Col. Pickett comes to CSU from Fort Dix in Texas and is a graduate of Texas A & M University.

She said that Cadet Payne was selected for the honor because of his grades, his extracurricular activities and his leadership. Cadet Payne is majoring in Business and carries a 3.2 grade average. He also participates on the Rugby Team. Due to his superior performance in the annual Field Training Exercises, he was selected as a training assistant this year. He services as Operations Squad Commander for the detachment. He aspires to become a fighter pilot and thanked Rotary for taking the time and effort to honor cadets.

March 2009


Jennifer Meridith
Andy Groeger introduced Jennifer Meredith, Cadet of the Month, who has achieved almost every standard set for cadets in physical training as an incoming freshman with a four year scholarship, while at the same time maintaining a 4.0 g.p.a. in Biological Sciences. Jennifer thanked the Club for recognizing her. Two years ago she would NOT have been in ROTC even though her father is in the Army; but now she is proud to be part of the unit at CSU. She said that she could not have chosen a more rewarding career path due to the emphasis on character, leadership, responsibility and respect. She plans to become a veterinarian and serve the Army and the country in the Army Veterinarian Corps.

February 2009


Bob Kent
Andy Groeger introduced Captain Ryan Kimberling, detachment leader, who in turn introduced Bob Kent as the Cadet of the Month. His activities, such as liaison to the local Civil Air Patrol, leadership in the Wing Walkers, etc. well qualified him to be Cadet of the Month. He is a sophomore from Chicago studying Criminal Justice at CSU. His interest in the Air Force began as a civil air patrol member in high school. He wants to be a special investigator in the Air Force. Andy then presented him with the Cadet of the Month certificate.

January 2009


Scott Geers
Andy Groeger introduced Scott Geers from St. Louis, MO. He joined the Army after high school and went through almost every special school available. He was with the 82nd Airborne in Iraq and is now in the Army ROTC program at CSU as the recipient of a four year scholarship. Scott is Business Administration major at CSU, with a 3.7 grade average, and a leader in the ROTC program in many ways.

Scott entered the program in order to further his career in Special Forces. While in Iraq, he spent “down” time deciding how to do this, and ended up at CSU.

December 2008


Megan Giltner-Reeves
Andy Groeger introduced Capt. Aaron Hansen who in turn introduced the cadet of the month, Cadet Megan Giltner-Reeves. Megan is a junior majoring in psychology and wants to become an anesthesiologist in the Air Force. She is highly involved in AFROTC, shouldering many major responsibilities for the detachment and recently organized a major Arnold Air Society dinner. She said the the ROTC program has given her the opportunity to challenge her leadership skills. Megan thanked the club for the honor and received a certificate from President Jan Bertholf.

November 2008


Chris Rutherford
Steve Creal introduced Capt. Aaron Dixon who introduced Chris Rutherford as Cadet of the Month. Capt. Dixon recounted a major experience he had in Iraq in the establishment of two tribal police stations. This was part of the "Ambar Awakening". He also told of major accomplishments for freedom and safety in Iraq.

Chris holds a three-year scholarship in ROTC. He excels in whatever activity he pursues. He will lead the team in the Bataan Death Run in White Sands, NM this year. Chris is a junior at CSU. He has known since high school he wanted to be in the military. He was concerned that he was not qualified to be an officer. He realized during his freshman year that he liked the life and that he could make a difference in people’s lives. He received motivation from his family—especially from his grandfather. After receiving his commission, he will remain in the military and serve the country. Jan presented a certificate to Chris.

October 2008


Cadet Jonathan Datsko
Dennis Kaan introduced Captain Aaron Hansen to introduce the Cadet of the Month, Air Force ROTC Cadet Jonathan Datsko. Captain Hansen is a new member of the CSU ROTC cadre. He came from Lackland Air Base in San Antonio, Texas and is in the communication career field. Captain Hansen introduced Cadet Datsko, a senior from Berthoud, Colorado. Jonathan gets special recognition for his planning of the annual POW/MIA Vigil, among other things. He is the commander of the unit's Arnold Air Society and hopes to become a pilot after graduation.

Jonathan thanked the club for the honor and recognized the rest of his cadet unit for their help in his success and recognition.

September 2008


Cadet Justin Kuhlmann
Professor of Military Science (PMS), Lt. Col. Andy Groeger introduced Justin Kuhlmann as Cadet of the Month. An Eagle Scout and track participant at Greeley West high school, Justin carries a 3.2 grade average, majoring in Political Science at CSU and is a member of Ranger Challenge. He participated in the LDAC, Leader Development and Assessment Center, this summer and attained an Excellence Rating. He is in charge of detachment fund-raising, with 12-15K to his credit. The detachment is in charge of setting up and tearing down Ram Town at each CSU football game and Justin is in charge of this task.

Justin then thanked the Club, his PMS, other cadets, and his parents for their recognition and support. He is a senior at CSU, hoping to become an aviation officer upon commission. He plans to get his Master’s and teach ROTC at a university.

April 2008


Cadet Bradley Johns
Dennis Kaan introduced Major Book Nelson to introduce the Cadet of the Month. Major Nelson is an Army Reservist who serves as the Army ROTC Executive Officer. This month the cadet is Bradley Johns. Bradley is a graduate of Greeley West High School, carries a 3.7 grade point average and is very active in all aspects of ROTC, including the Ranger Challenge Competition Team. He also scored a maximum in the APFT test. Bradley thanked the club for the award and said that he was proud to be recognized for the award. He joined ROTC aware of what he might learn and is pleased with the ethics, professionalism and can do attitude he has observed in organization.

March 2008


Cadet Todd Hunsicker
Shelly Godkin introduced Lt. Col. Andy Groeger who then introduced Cadet Todd Hunsicker as Cadet of the Month. Colonel Groeger said that Todd is a sophomore from San Diego with a 3.75 grade point average.

Todd thanked the club for the honor. He said that he gave Army ROTC a chance when he saw how dedicated and excited his roommate was to get up at 5:30 am twice a week for ROTC. He said that that was not normal college behavior. Todd said that he loved the Army ROTC program and how IT and more importantly the people in IT inspire him. Todd mentioned the people who he admires and who want to do what their country needs no matter how unglamorous or how demanding it may be. And he mentioned those in the program who show uncompromising integrity and the most solid work ethic he has ever seen. Those ROTC members are the reason that he was nominated for this award and so his thanks go to them for inspiring, leading and pushing him to do his best.

February 2008


Cadet Chris Neese
Shelly Godkin introduced Colonel Thom McCarthy, Professor of Air Studies, to introduct the Cadet of the Month, Cadet Chris Neese. Col. McCarthy said that Chris is a great kid, great American. He was born in Minnesota and started college at South Dakota State, but decided to transfer to CSU. He is a sophomore physics major and is considering a military career as a pilot or doctor. Thom suggested he become a pilot doctor.

Chris thanked the club for the recognition and the support of the entire cadet corp. He felt honored to selected from among so many strong candidates in the unit. He is excited about being able to serve in the Air Force.

December 2007


Master Sergeant Zayasbazan


Cadet Sam Maxcey

Jan Bertholf introduced Master Sergeant Rymundo Zayasbazan, Master Sergeant Z, a member of the Army ROTC staff at CSU, and as a former Marine. He listed the many locations around the world where the Master Sergeant has served. Master Sergeant Zayasbazan thanked our club for recognizing cadets and then introduced Cadet Sam Maxcey, a third year cadet from Kit Carson, Colorado. He said that Cadet Maxcey is getting ready to attend a leadership development and assessment course at Fort Lewis, Washington. He said that Sam was planning on becomming an aviator even though he is trying to steer him into the infantry.

Cadet Maxcey thanked us for the recognition and then told us what ROTC means to him. He said that CSU ROTC has been amazing to him and he saw that at the last leadership course he attended. Cadets from schools from all over the nation gather at the leadership camps that help to prepare them to become officers. He compared the training he received at CSU ROTC with what he saw from other schools and said that CSU's ROTC program is one of the best in the nation. Sam ended by saying that it will be a great honor to serve our country.

 

November 2007


Major Woody Boyd


Cadet Scott Portue

Last week Shelly Godkin introduced MAJ Woody Boyd, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Science, who introduced the Air Force ROTC Cadet of the Month, Scott Portue, a junior majoring in Electrical Engineering. Chuck Rutenberg presented the certificate and thanked him for his future service to our country.

 

October 2007


Lt. Col. Andy Groeger


Cadet Kevin Lee

Lt. Col. Andy Groeger introduced Kevin Lee, 25, Cadet of the month for October. Kevin is a senior, married, and is a former pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. A political science major and history, Kevin attended a major leadership conference in the summer, excelling as #4 out of 300 participants. He is ranked as #11 senior cadet in the nation. He has received his assignment as an aviator and will train to fly helicopters upon graduation.

Kevin then spoke briefly to say that it is his generation's turn to step up to the plate for the nation. He is proud to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather to defend a society that finds itself at the crossroads of morals and values, security and liberties.

 

September 2007


Captain Ryan Anderson


Cadet Brian Cook

Shelly Godkin introduced Captain Ryan Anderson, the new head of the CSU Air Force ROTC, and described some of his past assignments. Captain Anderson then introduced Cadet Brian Cook as the Cadet of the Month. Brian is the Vice Cadet Wing Commander, has been in the program for five years and is a member of the Wing Walkers, precision drill team. Incidentally, Shelly started Wing Walkers when he headed the Air Force ROTC program. Captain Anderson praised Brian's contributions during the summer in helping set up parts of the program for the new incoming cadets.

"The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." Douglas MacArthur