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Upcoming Events:

Land Nav

M-16 Range

FTX

CULP

Leadership Development and

Assessment Course

Leaders Training Course

At long last, we’ve resurrected the “Yellow Jacket newsletter”, with a plan to publish new volumes at the end of each semester. I look forward to Cadets, Cadre and alumni providing photos and feedback to connect with the current students and faculty at WVSU, GSC, UC and WVUIT.

With another successful semester completed, I am excited to

provide a synopsis of the many accomplishments that abound within our

Battalion formation. This past Summer, we’ve deployed Cadets across

the world, with four attending Operation Warrior Forge at Joint Base

Lewis-McChord, WA, one Cadet attended the Leader Training Course at

Fort Knox, KY, and yet another traveled to Slovakia with the Cultural

Understanding and Language Program (CULP) – an international exchange program with 43

nations around the globe. Two students attended and earned their Airborne and Air Assault

badges at separate locations, while Cadre facilitated instructional learning at LDAC, LTC, and

CULP.

During the Fall 2012 semester, we’ve pushed our Cadets to excel and overcome the

inherent challenges of communication and planning, with multiple events at remote locations,

while coordinating their efforts to achieve great results. I offer a solid “round of applause” to

the masterful work of our Cadet BN CDR, Ashley Bish (WVSU), CDT SGM Hannah Pilcher

(WVUIT), the Operations Officer (S3) John Smith (WVSU) and our Admin/Logisitician (S1/S4)

Nicole Himes (GSC). Together they organized the Combined Fall FTX at Point Pleasant with

Marshall University ROTC, executed combat water survival training at multiple locations,

hosted the first Ranger Challenge Scrimmage on WVSU campus, facilitated small arms ranges

at both Glenville campus as well as vicinity WVSU at the State Police range, conducted two

world-class homecoming events with the M1A1 PAC 75mm howitzer, hosted the 33rd annual

Hall of Fame ceremony, and placed 9th (among 20 similar schools) in the Ranger Challenge

competition at Fort Pickett, VA. This has been a truly busy semester, with eleven color guard

events in 16 weeks, and each of the Senior Cadets maintaining a GPA over 3.10!

In the face of military draw down, the Yellow Jacket Battalion can finally boast a

100% manning level, with the arrivals of our Senior Military Instructor, MSG Johnathon Shank,

our Executive officer, MAJ Charles Beirne, and CPT Jonathan Judy, Assistant Professor of

Military Science.

We look forward to continued support, classroom presentations, drill and ceremony

competitions, and Raider Challenge meets with our local JROTC service programs at the

following High Schools: George Washington (Army), Riverside (Army), Capital (Army), St

Albans (USMC), Sissonville (USMC), Nitro (USAF), and South Charleston (USAF).

I encourage faculty, friends, and Cadets to refer young and aspiring students to try

Military Science classes. There is no initial commitment, and we offer a variety of

experiences towards achieving their academic goals and a professional career. We continue

to offer several scholarships (2, 3, & 4 year) along with monthly stipends ($300 to $500/mo)

and some housing scholarships at GSC and WVSU.

West Virginia State University

Army ROTC

Yellow Jacket Battalion

In this Issue: Page

Commanders Corner 1

Making Headlines 2

People to Watch 3

Hall of Fame 4

Seniors Corner 5

Where they are now 6,7

~ Commander’s Corner

Check us on the web!

http://armyrotc.com/edu/wvastate/index.htm

2

Ferguson-Lincoln Building

PO Box 489

Institute, WV 25112-0489

Tel: 304-766-3108 / 3109 / 3295

Fax: 304-204-4019

E-mail: rotcmail@wvstateu.edu

West Virginia University State

Army ROTC

Yellow Jackets Led The Way

~Making the Headl ines

Cadets prepare to launch a Zodiac Boat during Ranger

Challenge Scrimmage

2012 RANGER CHALLENGE TEAM

ROTC Home Coming King and Queen Staff Ride at Droop Mountain Battlefield Pocahontas

County, WV

Ranger Challenge Cadets work together to construct a

One Rope Bridge at FT A.P. Hill, VA

King and Queen

Cadets Smith and Bish

Ranger Challenge Scrimmage at WVSU Campus LTC Taylor tosses a coin to determine which team will

start the competition

Cadets Fire the cannon after a score at Glenville State

University Home Coming

Color Guard for Home

Coming

CDT Halstead in the dorm

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~People to Watch

Ferguson-Lincoln Building

PO Box 489

Institute, WV 25112-0489

Tel: 304-766-3108 / 3109 / 3295

Fax: 304-204-4019

E-mail: rotcmail@wvstateu.edu

West Virginia University State

Army ROTC

Yellow Jackets

“Ladies and gentlemen may I present to you the newest second lieutenant

in the United States Army, 2LT John Thomas Brabender.” This statement was

made by COL (R) Warner on December 14, 2012 at Twelve hundred hours. This

statement brought a smile to Brabender’s face but an even bigger one on the

faces of his parents John and Edith Brabender.

December 14, 2012 closed a chapter in 2LT Brabender’s life. The chapter

coming to an end was that of a student and a Cadet. As a student, Brabender

excelled in the classroom earning a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Sociology.

Now begins another chapter in 2LT Brabender’s life and that is the life of

an officer serving in the United States Army. Brabender’s first stop once leaving

the friendly confines of West Virginia State University is to attend Basic Officer

Leader Course Phase B at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Upon completion, 2LT Brabender

will serve as a Signal Officer for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in the 1-

112th Infantry.

2LT Brabender and Family 2LT Brabender with his Parents

Cadet Pilcher

Cadet Hannah Pilcher of West Virginia University Institute of Technology

continued her tradition of physical fitness excellence by capturing a first place

finish in Armed Forces division of the 9th Annual Marshall University Half Marathon.

Having already established herself as an outstanding athlete by scoring a 336 on

her APFT at the Leadership Development and Assessment Course and by scoring the

game winning goal in the final game of her collegiate soccer career, the Yellow

Jacket Battalion’s Cadet CSM took it up a notch by besting the field with a time of

one hour and 54 minutes in the 13.1 mile course.

Losing no momentum, Cadet Pilcher now plans to challenge herself by competing in the 25

kilometer Frozen Sasquatch Run in Charleston this coming January. What are her words of wisdom to

the underclassmen? “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you

that is greater than any obstacle.” Given her athletic accomplishments and her combined talent as a

scholar and leader, Cadet Pilcher continues to set a profound example for her peers to emulate.

2LT John Brabender

Check us on the web!

http://armyrotc.com/edu/wvastate

COL (R) Warner and 2LT Brabender

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Ferguson-Lincoln Building

PO Box 489

Institute, WV 25112-0489

Tel: 304-766-3108 / 3109 / 3295

Fax: 304-204-4019

E-mail: rotcmail@wvstateu.edu

West Virginia University State

Army ROTC

Yellow Jackets Led The Way Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Don Cornell Carter was born

March 3, 1955 in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was a 1977 distinguished

military graduate from West Virginia State University, where he

earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Carter earned his Master of Science Degree

from Central Michigan University in Public Administration.

His military education consisted of the Officer Basic and

Advance Courses, Military Police Corps, the Combined Arms Services

Staff School, CAS3 , and the Command and General Staff College.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Carter’s assignments include duty

in Baumholder, Germany from 1985 to 1988, where he served as the

Company Commander for the 92nd Military Police Company, 709th

Battalion. Provost Marshal, Fort Eustis, Virginia, Command Provost

Marshal, Fort Clayton, Panama from 1996-1999, and Embassy Security Liaison, Sanna, Yemen in

2005. He also had tours of duty at Fort Monroe, Virginia; Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Riley, Kansas,;

Ansbach, Germany and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Among Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Carter’s awards and decorations are: Legion of Merit,

Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), the Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), Army Superior

Unit award, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Global War, Army Meritorious Service

Medals and many others.

LTC Carter so enjoyed his military experience that after retirement he continued his

association as a JROTC instructor at Smithfield High School, Smithfield, Virginia from 2005-2008.

The students became special to him as he worked to teach them respect, citizenship, and goal

setting.

Some of LTC Carter’s community activities are: Ruritan Club, school representative; NAACP,

member and local supporter; World Victory Church & Life Center, nominated for deacon board,

participant for three years in the stage productions, and church school teacher; York High Reunion

Planning Committee; Relay for Life fundraising/relay events; Smithfield High & Middle School, Parent

teacher Association; National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers; Board of Directors,

Gatling Point Housing Association; and Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Carter was married to Renee , and they were blessed with two

children; daughter, Charisse D. Carter, and his son, 2LT Bryce S. Carter. Lieutenant Colonel (Ret)

Carter’s life spanned the years of 1955-2008.

~Hal l of Fame

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT

The Yellow Jacket Battalion is excited to announce the revival of our newsletter. The goal of our newsletter is to keep you better informed about what’s going on with your ROTC Program and to draw attention to our accomplishments and suc-

cesses at the end of each semester.

Our newsletter will be published twice annually attempting to capture the im-portant events throughout the year. The newsletter will primarily be delivered via the Internet with e-mail accounts. Alumni and community members will re-ceive a hard copy delivered to them courtesy of the United States Postal Service if they do not have access to the Internet. Of course, we will attempt to keep the cost of our newsletter to a minimum so we persuade our readers to provide

an e-mail address.

The success of our newsletter not only falls on the Cadre and Cadets but to our Alumni. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated along with any success stories you would like to submit. If you wish to make a donation to the WVSU Army ROTC please send a check or money order to the Charles C. Rogers Fund

and mail to PO Box 489, Institute, WV 25112.

LTC (Ret) Don C. Carter

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Ferguson-Lincoln Building

PO Box 489

Tel: 304-766-3108 / 3109 / 3295

Fax: 304-204-4019

E-mail: rotcmail@wvstateu.edu

West Virginia State University

Army ROTC

Yellow Jackets

~Senior’s Corner

Check us on the web!

http://armyrotc.com/edu/wvastate

~ WELCOME NEW CADETS

To meet graduation and commissioning goals, the Cadre pledge to provide the

best possible instruction and realistic training while offering one-on-one interac-

tion. As new members of the Yellow Jacket Battalion it is your duty to attend and

participate in classroom instruction as well as physical fitness training and labs.

With the combined efforts of the Cadre and Cadet Battalion leadership we are

confident that the Yellow Jacket Battalion will continue to produce effective and

productive junior officers.

We would like to welcome the following Cadets to the “Yellow Jacket” Family.

CDT Darin Cook—University of Charleston, 2014

CDT Nathan Bolin—Glenville State, 2016

CDT Kyle Hartleben—Glenville State, 2016

CDT James Hubbard—Glenville State, 2015

CDT Gregory Hott—Glenville State, 2015

CDT Chevelle Raines—Glenville State, 2015

We would like to congratulate CDT Hott for being awarded a $5,000 ROTC schol-

arship after completing Leaders Training Course at Fort Knox, KY.

CDT Shrewsberry takes aim on the

hand grenade assault course

CDT Gregory Hott

CDT Smith

Active Duty Infantry

CDT Himes Active Duty Adjutant

General

CDT Pilcher

Active Duty Quarter Mas-ter

CDT Bish

WVARNG Ordinance

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~ Where they are now

Currently serving as an Ordinance Officer in the West Virginia National

Guard. While waiting on a school date, she has been serving as Officer in

Charge of a joint reconnaissance team conducting preliminary damage assess-

ments from Hurricane Sandy.

2LT Hibberd

2LT Ferrebee

Currently training at Fort Lee, VA. Has completed Modern Combatives

Program level 1 and FBCB 2. He was awarded the Gold German Armed

Forces Proficiency Badge and also awarded the Army Achievement Medal for

shooting 40/40 on weapons qualifications.

2LT Wormley

2LT Cottrill

Currently serving in the West Virginia Army National Guard as a Military

Police Platoon Leader. He is scheduled to attend Basic Officer Leaders

Course Phase B at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

Currently assigned to the West Virginia Army National Guard serving as a

Platoon Leader with the 119th Sapper Company. He is also enrolled in Mar-

shall University’s Graduate Program obtaining a Masters Degree in Exercise

Physiology. 2LT Cottrill will attend Basic Officer Leaders Course Phase B at

Fort Leonard Wood, MO

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~ Where they are now Cont.

Currently assigned to the West Virginia Army National Guard serving as a Or-

dinance Platoon Leader. He will attend Basic Officer Leaders Course Phase B

at Fort Lee, VA in January 2013. 2LT Rowsey is expecting his first born child

this summer.

2LT Rowsey

2LT Kiser

Currently assigned to the West Virginia Army National Guard serving as a

Military Police Platoon Leader. He is attending Basic Officer Leaders Course

Phase B at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

2LT Watson

2LT Douglas-Smith

Currently serving in the U.S. Army Reserves and training at Fort Sam Hou-

ston, TX for Medical Services. Once she completes Basic Officer Leaders

Course Phase B, she will reside in Florida with her three children and hus-

band.

Has branch Active Duty Chaplain and currently on an education delay at-

tending Liberty University working on her Master’s Degree in Divinity. Once

completing her Master’s Degree, she will attend Basic Officer Leader Course

Phase B at Fort Jackson, South Carolina

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West Virginia State University

Army ROTC

Ferguson-Lincoln Building

PO Box 489

Institute, WV 25112-0489

rotcmail@wvstateu.edu

The Yellow Jacket Battalion

Check us on the web!

http://armyrotc.com/edu/wvastate/index.htm

Mr. Gordon Ramey

304-766-3295

gramey@wvstateu.edu

SSG Bernard Pates

304-550-7651

bernard.pates@us.army.mil

MAJ Charles Beirne

540-589-0281

charles.beirne@glenville.edu

SFC Steven Doolittle

304-766-3297

sdoolitt@mix.wvu.edu