Campbell ROTC Battalion Cadet and Campbell University student Laura Chapek receives a badge to recognize her graduation from Air Assault School. (Photo by Jimmy Allen)
BUIES CREEK — Thursday afternoon, on Patriot Day, during its 2014 Fall Awards Ceremony, the Campbell ROTC Battalion recognized several dozen cadets for their academic excellence, their demonstrated leadership and their performance during summer training programs.
Held in Campbell University’s Turner Auditorium, the ceremony included a moment of silence for victims of 9/11 before nearly 50 awards and medals were presented to about 34 cadets in the Campbell Battalion, comprised of students from Campbell, Methodist University, Fayetteville State University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
“The cadets we recognize today are the future leaders of our army tomorrow,” said MSG Christopher L. Bush, senior military science instructor at Campbell. “They are conducting extensive training every day to be able to lead our army through difficult and uncertain times that lie ahead, just as I and many others were when we received our call. The cadets that stand before you today have performed well above the standard and are being recognized for preparation and performance.”
More than two-dozen cadets were recognized for superior performance in completing the 29-day rigorous Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky, over the summer. Two other cadets were recognized for their performance at the U.S. Army Air Assault School.
The ceremony also featured seven award and medal presentations to cadets by outside organizations that recognized academic excellence, demonstrated leadership, professionalism, integrity, honor, patriotism, commitment, teamwork and selfless service in both their military and civilian communities.
A list of the cadets recognized Thursday and the honors they received follows:
Exceeding Standards at LDAC by Receiving an Overall ‘E’ Rating, the highest rating
Noah Hancock
Sophia Rickard
Carl Guthrie
Danell Willis
Joan Hall
Tiffany Enoch
Tara McKnight
Giovanni Martinez
Aaron Miller
Patrick Lawrence
Platoon Leadership Award at CST for Achieving Top 5 in their Platoons
Christopher Cleare
Matthew Gooch
Natali Juaerez
2nd LT Jacob Kestler
Lenna Rodriguez
Jack Konrat
Joseph Minardi
James O’Neal
Marcus Smith
Joseph Black
Joseph Forte
Franklin Yandrys
Ryan Paplaczyk
Ronald Goca
Jordan Hodges
Patrick Lawrence
Paul Lundstrom
Paul Stephen Weschler
Graduation from Air Assault School
Laura Chapek
Daja Nicholas
The Daughters of the American Revolution National Defense Certificate and Medal
Sophia Rickard
The Sons of the American Revolution National Defense Certificate and Medal
Matthew Gooch
Caleb Rowell
Joseph Forte
James O’Neal
The United Services Automobile Association Spirit Award
Tiffany Enoch
The Reserve Officer Association Certificate and Medal
Ryan Paplaczyk
Noah Hancock
The National Sojourner’s Certificate and Medal
Dynell Willis
The Military Officers Association of America Monetary Award
Cierra Livecchi
Ryan Mendoza
Jack Conrad
Micah G. Simpson
The Late Col (R) Anthony J. Brill Foundation Scholarship Award
Quenton Taylor
Joshua Durham
Joseph Manardi
Bryan Leach
Bradley Styers
Campbell University students who are cadets in the Campbell ROTC Battalion, which is comprised of students from Campbell, Methodist University, Fayetteville State University, and UNC-Pembroke. Photo by Jimmy Allen.