UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN- LA CROSSE
EAGLE TIMES
ROTC
V O L U M E 5 I S S U E 1 December 12, 2008
INSIDE
THIS ISS UE: Commanders Corner
DCLT 3
Cadets, welcome to a new crop of high school battalion’s “newness” also falls on
the new Eagle Battalion! blue-chip athletes arrive to fill my shoulders. Those of you who
Land Nav. 4 When I say “new” that term vacated roster spots. ROTC is have been in the Eagle Battalion for
has something to do with me, much the same. Even if I had a year or more undoubtedly have
Airborne 5 and a whole lot to do with each been here for the last few noticed that much has changed from
of you. Here’s why. In a way, years, we would still be differ- days gone by. This doesn’t neces-
Northern 6 an ROTC battalion is much ent this year because each one sarily mean that we are any better
Warfare like any college football team. of you is either newly-arrived than what we were; it only means
Rappelling 7 As fall semester starts, every or have taken on new responsi- that we are now different in many
NCAA team across the nation ways. All units are reflections of
LDAC
is new and different. Coaches their commanders, and change is
8
are the same, the stadium is the inevitable whenever a new officer
same, uniforms are unchanged takes command. Improving an or-
Nurse Visit 9
from previous years—and yet, ganization is also one of the basic
the team that hits the field each tenants of military leadership, and a
Saturday this year is much dif- big part of any leader’s job is to de-
ferent from the same squad termine where your organization is
that campaigned the previous now and where you want it to be in
year. The team is annually LTC Mark W. Johnson, Eagle the future. You must then figure
Battalion Commander
different because of the play- out how to get it there. On that last
ers: seniors graduate, under- bilities. But of course I haven’t point, I think we’re now well on our
classmen matriculate forward been here for the past few way. So hold on tight—it’s going to
to assume new roles, and then years, and thus some of the be an exciting ride.
New Commander Takes Charge as Professor of Military Science
Lieutenant Colonel leader, anti-armor platoon Brigade; and executive officer, 1st
Mark W. Johnson assumed leader, and company executive Brigade, 70th Division. He has
command of the UW-La officer, 2-15 Infantry, 3d In- also served as an assistant profes-
Crosse Eagle Battalion in May fantry Division, Germany; sor of military science at the Uni-
2008. Immediately prior to assistant battalion S-3, com- versity of Wyoming and at Siena
this assignment he was the mander, D/3-327 Infantry, College in Loudonville, New York.
executive officer of the 181st and commander, HHC/3-327 LTC Johnson’s military
Infantry Brigade at Ft. McCoy, Infantry, 101st Airborne Divi- education includes the Infantry
Wisconsin. sion; aide-de-camp to the Officer Basic Course, Infantry Of-
He received his com- commanding general, 3d ficer Advanced Course, and
mission from the United Medical Command; com-
States Military Academy at mander, 317th Military History
West Point in 1986. His as- Detachment; operations offi-
signments include: platoon cer, 2d U.S. Army Recruiting
Continued on Page 2
Combined Arms & Services Staff School. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and Gen-
eral Staff College and the Army Management Staff College.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf clus-
ter (6th award), Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal
with three oak leaf clusters, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster,
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Global War on
Terrorism Service Medal, Southwest Asia Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal—Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal—Government of Kuwait, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army
Superior Unit Award, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist
Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab.
An accomplished scholar, LTC Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs
from West Point and a master’s degree in history from the University of Wyoming. He is a doctoral
candidate in history at the State University of New York, and has been elected to membership in
two national academic honor societies (Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Alpha Theta). His first book, That
Body of Brave Men: The U.S. Regular Infantry and the Civil War in the West, was nominated as a finalist for
the Army Historical Foundation’s Distinguished Writing Award.
LTC Johnson and his wife, Elyse, have two children and reside in Sparta, Wisconsin.
Nurse Summer Training Program
CDT Cuhel
Nurse Summer Train- When cadets apply for Army Nurse, cadets are intro-
ing Program (NSTP) is a paid NSTP they not only request a duced to their roles and duties.
clinical elective that takes place medical center but can request They practice clinical skills,
between a student nurses junior a certain department. Popular are taught new procedures, and
and senior year of college. departments to be assigned to are supervised by their precep-
This training can take place are Medical-Surgical, Intensive tor. Each cadet receives a stan-
before or after the Leadership Care, Labor and Delivery, Sur- dardized list of skills and at-
Development and Assessment gery and Urgency. Most of the tributes they should be demon-
Course (LDAC) but is gener- cadets who requested a specific strating. Each cadet must com-
ally conducted afterward. The department were able to work plete a minimum of 120 hours
clinical site is an Army Hospi- in it. Many programs allowed of clinical time in a three week
tal in the United States or in spending time in other depart- period. A cadet’s schedule is
Germany. Some popular sites ments than the one assigned to, developed based on their pre-
are Madigan Army Medical to gain experience and under- ceptors work schedule. This
Center, Brook Army Medical stand how the medical center may include working nights
center, Walter Reed Army operates. and weekends.
Medical Center and Tripler After being assigned (Continued on page 3)
Army Medical Center. to a preceptor who is a current
P AG E 3
Drill Cadet Leadership Training
CDT Sorenson
I attended Drill soldiers that were there tivities that the new soldiers
Cadet Leadership Training were about to graduate so I would do on their field training
(DCLT) at Fort Jackson, had the chance to accom- exercise. It was a good experi-
South Carolina from 06June pany them on their 10-day ence for me to interact with basic
until 25July directly after field training exercise. training soldiers as well as see-
graduating from the Leader- While staying out in the ing what an officer evaluation
ship Development and As- woods with them I inter- report looks like for the first
sessment Program (LDAC) acted as their operational time. The camaraderie that was
at Fort Lewis, Washington. force giving them variable built between the cadre and me
My position at DCLT was a scenarios as “the bad guy”. was almost immediate and they
platoon leader for basic Before they graduated I also were always there to answer any
training soldiers. I shad- lead a brigade run with questions I had. I would recom-
owed a Lieutenant, my them. As the next cycle of mend it to any cadet who is look-
A Typical Day at
commander (a Captain), new soldiers was coming in ing to get their feet wet with the
DCLT
and the various drill ser- I wrote an OPORD types of things they will be do-
geants of the platoons. At (operations order) outlining ing as a future Army leader.
the time that I arrived the some of the events and ac-
“ It was a good
experience for me
NSTP Contd.
to interact with
Throughout the time at the clinical site a cadet nurse will implement their leader-
basic training
ship and nursing skills in the hospital setting. They will be responsible for planning, im-
soldiers as well as
plementing, and evaluating nursing care. Clinical skills are monitored and evaluated by
seeing what an
your preceptor based off the cadet clinical performance guidelines given at the beginning
officer evaluation of the program. At the end of your 120 hours cadets receive a formal evaluation assessing
report looks like for a cadets potential to be a nurse and a leader.
the first time.” NSTP is not all work. Many cadets spend their days off sightseeing and socializ-
ing with the other cadets assigned to their hospital NSTP is a great opportunity to travel,
gain real world experience and have fun doing it.
EA G LE TIMES
V OLUME 5 ISSUE 1
Boots in Hixon Forest P AG E 4
CDT Kessler
Thursday, 11 SEP cadets with land naviga- one hour to navigate the
2008, over 60 Eagle Battal- tion. course. Their goal was
ion ROTC cadets ventured M-S III cadets to find at least two out
out to lower Hixon forest will go to Ft. Lewis, WA of four points. Cadets
to test their land navigation during the summer of 2009 returned with sweat on
“Land navigation train- skills during the two hour to complete a 32 day Lead- their face and success
ing is one of the skills
Military Science lab. The ership Development and on their score cards. M-
that must be mastered
early in the Warrior previous week, cadets rap- Assessm en t Cour se S III CDT Scott Wolfe
Forge cycle.” pelled down Cowley Hall (LDAC) necessary to be- successfully found 4 out
on the UW-L campus. come a future Army leader. of 4 points with the
This second week of Land navigation training is furthest point 500 me-
classes, cadets get some one of the skills that must ters from his start point.
exercise as they navigate a be mastered early in the Nearly all M-S III ca-
distance of 500 to over Warrior Forge cycle. The dets found between 2-3
2000 meters to find their land navigation evaluation points in less than one
points. For the land navi- at LDAC consists of three hour which is a great
gation practical exercise portions totaling 100 accomplishment this
cadets were divided into points. The written exami- early in the semester.
teams based on M-S class nation is worth 20 percent, M-S III CDT Sarah
and confidence level; third the day land navigation test Hesse shared, “I know
year M-S III students com- is worth 50 percent, and the the land navigation
pleted the course independ- night land navigation is course at Ft. McCoy is
ently while second year M- worth 30 percent. Each tough, so going out to
S II students went in buddy cadet must earn 70 percent Hixon was a good place
team pairs. First year M-S I on each test to pass this to build our confi-
students went in larger event. A passing score in dence.” Throughout the
groups with forth year land navigation is a War- school year, Eagle BN
ROTC students and cadre rior Forge completion re- cadets will continue to
guiding them through the quirement. For this reason, receive land navigation
course. The main purpose land navigation is a major training on campus and
of this training was to help training focus for M-S III at Ft. McCoy which
prepare M-S III cadets for cadets in Eagle BN. will advance their skills
Warrior Forge 2009 and At Hixon forest, and build further confi-
familiarize M-S I and II cadets were given less than dence.
P AG E 5
AIRBORNE
CDT Johnson
vidual skills by using a During jump week students
T h e mock aircraft door, a thirty- make 5 jumps into Fryer
United States four foot tower, and a lat- drop zone. At least one of
Army airborne eral drift apparatus. To the jumps needs to be with
school is located pass ground week students combat equipment. On
at Fort Benning must qualify on all three Friday of jump week, all
Georgia and is training aids and pass the students who successfully
operated by the physical fitness test. The exit the aircraft 5 times
1/507 Parachute Infantry second phase is tower week. graduate and get their silver
regiment. This past sum- Tower week is geared to- wings.
mer I was enrolled in class wards building the group
35-08 which ran from and learning the mass exit
18Jul-08Aug. The course technique. More training
Consist of three phases, aids are used and a few
each phase lasting one lucky students get to experi-
week. The first Phase is ence the 250 free tower.
ground week. During Those who pass tower week
ground week student’s fo- get to move on to the last
cus on building their indi- phase which is jump week.
We’re Growing!
CDT Schultz,A
Eagle Battalion Re- vated freshmen. UW La Crosse the current military situation
cord Highs!! Eagle Battalion is up to 29 contracted cadets. encompassing our nation. We
has enrolled close to 100 ca- There are many eager fresh- would like to thank everyone
dets this year with 50% of men—mainly due to Viterbo’s for all their support and contri-
those enrolled being con- enrollment—ready to learn the butions in making our battalion
tracted. A record high has ropes of leadership and numer- run smoothly!
been reached in Winona with ous opportunities entitled to an
fifteen cadets this year. Army officer. We are enthused
Viterbo is also at a record to see that there are so many
high this year with 19 con- students willing to support
tracted cadets and many moti- their school and country with
EA G LE TIMES
V OLUME 5 ISSUE 1 P AG E 6
Northern Warfare “There was some
CDT Hamilton classroom instruction on
This summer I attended North- feet of rope between people. In case some- how to survive in
ern Warfare Training (NWTC) at the one happens to fall in a hole or crevice, the extreme cold conditions
Black Rapids Training Site, about three other 3 people should be able to slam their before we headed out for
hours south of Fairbanks, AK. NWTC ice pick into the ice and get the crampon
3 days of training on a
is a basic mountaineering course where tips in to hold the person. We practiced this
glacier. “
soldiers learn how to fight in moun- and building an ice anchor to have some-
tains, but the school in Alaska also spe- thing sturdy to hold the person without the to do but gawk at the $4.75 per gal-
cializes in cold weather warfare. In strain on our bodies. Once the anchor was lon gas and walk the 3 miles to the
total there were 11 cadets and about 60 in place we began the arduous process of movie theatre, so that’s what we did.
active duty soldiers, most of who are slowly pulling the person up out of the Out of the 11 cadets, 10 of us gradu-
deploying to Afghanistan in a few hole. On our way back to the training site, ated. The training was tough but we
months. Basic mountain skills of climb- we took a detour to a glacier-fed river all learned a lot and definitely
ing steep hills and vertical walls requir- where we practiced various techniques of gained a lot confidence from being
ing technical climbing skills were crossing the river – none of which were there. Trust me, if you found your-
taught. We also learned how to navi- meant to keep us dry or warm. The 33 de- self hanging over a 100ft drop onto
gate on steep terrain and build 1-rope gree water wasn’t painful until we had to sharp rocks, only by a single rope
bridges across small canyons. We cross waist deep. After this and another harness which you tied to some
learned how to ascend steep terrain hour on the bus, having a warm shower trees, made out of 1’’ tubular web-
where climbing is impossible and how was amazing. When graduation day came bing, you wouldn’t be able to help
to find natural anchors or build artificial about 90% of the class graduated; a much but feel a little more confident ei-
ones. Rappelling and tying various har- higher percentage than they normally see. ther.
nesses was very important due to the Once back in Fairbanks there wasn’t much
safety risks involved. There was some
classroom instruction on how to survive
in extreme cold conditions before we
headed out for 3 days of training on a
glacier. Although it was summer, the
temperature on the glacier was between
20 and 45 degrees the entire time. Here
we learned how to hike safely on top of
hundreds of feet of moving ice and how
to avoid falling into crevices that can
go nearly to the bottom. Snow over-
hangs on crevices are very dangerous,
so while hiking we always were tied
together in groups of four with about 50
P AG E 7
Eagle Battalion Steps over the Edge
CDT Chomilo
On September 4th the Battalion was broken down into the tower. Moving backwards
UWL ROTC Eagle Battalion par- squad size elements which con- the cadets shout, “Lane 1, ON
ticipated in its first Lab of the year, sisted of 4 to 10 people. Once RAPPEL!”, to which the ca-
rappelling off a four story building. atop Cowley Hall the cadets det before them responds,
This year the Cadets got a unique rotated through various stations “Lane 1, ON BELAY”. These
opportunity to take part in some on their way to the rappel tower basic commands will keep the
exciting training while getting to located on the eastern side of cadet safe while on the tower.
know their peers better. For many Cowley. The first station taught The belay’s job is to hold the
“The purpose of of the cadets this was their first them how to properly tie a main line at the base of the
this lab was to time rappelling and because of that Swiss seat. The Swiss seat is a rappel tower and tighten
instill confidence tensions ran high once atop Cowley rope that is 6 to 7 feet long and down on it if a cadet loses
throughout the Hall. One might ask. “What does when tied correctly around your their grip. After two more
rappelling off of a building have to hips provides a comfortable safety checks of their Swiss
ROTC program and
do with ROTC and leadership in harness for you to hook into the Seats, gloves, and karabiners
give the cadets an
general?” The purpose of this lab main rappelling line. After a the cadets bravely leaned over
opportunity to was to instill confidence throughout safety check to ensure all the the edge of Cowley Hall,
overcome their the ROTC program and give the seats were tied correctly the looked down from a height of
fears”. cadets an opportunity to overcome cadets proceeded to the bunny 40 plus feet and took a step
their fears. Overcoming this mental slope. The bunny slope is a toward becoming a better
and physical obstacle is a step in gentle hill that will introduce leader.
the right direction down the path to the cadets to the commands
becoming an Army Officer. The they will be hearing while on
Leadership Development and Assessment Camp
CDT Schultz,K
This summer UWL Assessment Course (LDAC) applies basic ROTC fundamen-
sent 11 cadets from University with approximately 5,000 other tals that the cadets have learned
of Wisconsin Lacrosse, Viterbo, cadets around the nation. since their freshman year.“It
and Winona State University to LDAC encompasses all military was like condensing 3 years of
Ft. Lewis, WA to participate in science courses that cadets have ROTC into 33days,” describes
the Leadership Development enrolled in thus far, as well as WSU Cadet Andrea Schultz.
Continued on Pg. 8
EA G LE TIMES
V OLUME 5 ISSUE 1 P AG E 8
LDAC Contd.
Once arriving to LDAC cadets ating Base to learn basic
spent the first 15 days doing principles for operations
Battle Rifle Marksmanship, and received hot chow
Field Leaders Reaction Course, and a cot to sleep on
Individual Movement Tech- (upgrade from sleeping on
niques, US weapons introduc- the ground). Next, they
tion, Branch Orientation, First moved onto combined
Aid, and garrison leadership squad sized patrolling for
position duty. After those 15 the last four days includ-
days the cadets journeyed out ing rides in a UH50 heli-
into the country of “Palomas,” copter, and a Stryker ar-
where they had to learn about mored vehicle. Ending
this different cultures’ customs, the 10 days of sleeping and long. Cadets then participated
courtesies, rules of engagement, working in the field the cadets’ in confidence courses including
language, and much more to road marched a 10 kilometers the slide for life and zodiac
successfully complete the next back to the barracks where they training up until graduation day.
10 days of tactical operation were welcomed with hot chow Once on the parade grounds for
assignments. The cadets spent and hot showers. Excited to graduation, cadets were reunited
four days completing the squad almost be finished with LDAC, with friends and families and
tactical exercises involving cadets were given back cell shipped out to SEATAC for
squad sized battle drills across phone privileges, coffee shop their flights to follow on train-
the country of Palomas. They visits, and their personal bags ing or back home.
then moved to a Forward Oper- which had been stored all month
P AG E 9
Eagle BN Remembers the Fallen
CDT Emmart
this task, we answered their help with this memorial”
On the night on call. A grand total of 19 said Cadet William Thomp-
September 10, 2008, the cadets, most of the under- son, a MS-III Cadet attend-
UW-La Crosse College classmen volunteered their ing UW-La Crosse. “The
Republicans showed their time into the dwindling memorial was in the shape
patriotism when they light, to help place over of a half circle that engulfed
wanted to place 3,000 US 3,000 US flags around the the green-space that it was
Flags around the 9/11 Me- 9/11 Memorial. in. So when students were
morial on campus. But “I am more than walking to class they could
when they asked for help in happy to give my time to definitely take notice. Ca-
Continued on Pg. 10
“I am more than
happy to give my
time to help with
this memorial”
Brigade Nurse Visits Eagle BN
CDT Thomson
CDT Hansen
Eagle Battalion academics, and ROTC. the nursing cadets, includ-
nursing cadets had an op- Cadets had the opportunity ing a Saturday morning
portunity to meet and chat to ask CPT Beattie about visit to Winona for conven-
with the new brigade nurse, her experiences as an Army ience of Winona University
CPT Beattie, during the nurse. CPT Beattie offered nursing cadets. We look
th
week of September 4 and advice and answers to the forward to another visit
th
5 . Cadets who are major- many questions asked of with CPT Beattie during the
ing in nursing at Viterbo her from MS I to MS IV 2009 spring semester.
University, University of nursing majors. CPT
Wisconsin – La Crosse, and Beattie was also helpful
Winona State University with planning for future
met with CPT Beattie on an internships and courses.
individual basis to discuss CPT Beattie took time to
the Army Nurse Corps, meet with all (about 25) of
EA G LE TIMES
V OLUME 5 ISSUE 1 P AG E 10
SFC Eisch puts Eagle BN on the map
CDT Schreiber
For about a month and ning these contests and though he heck of a soldier to even make it
a half, something was missing was somewhat reluctant to get into through. The tests are designed
from Eagle BN. A commanding the realm with every win he gained to emulate what our soldiers are
presence always there to help, more confidence and enjoyed it up against in Iraq and Afghani-
SFC Eisch was dearly missed! more. stan and it is changed every
We are happy he has returned When the semester started, year. It is meant to give them
now and some still wonder the cadets quickly noticed his ab- superior training to take back to
where and what he was up to in sence and were proud to learn one their units and pass on. If you
his absence. To these wonder- of our own was involved in such an talk to any of those that attended
ers I will first say it was defi- event. His help was missed during they will say unanimously that
nitely not a vacation! you SFC training, especially the FTX. How- it was a true honor to compete
Eisch was a competitor in the ever, I know I speak for the MSIV alongside other fine soldiers.
US Army during the 2008 Best class when I say we kept in mind And then the dust set-
Warrior competition at Fort Lee, what he taught us in the past, for tled. It was SPC O’Bray who
VA. example, running the ranges. Dur- took the award of Top Soldier
It’s been a long road up ing the short times we would see of the Year. And our SFC Eisch
to this point. SFC Eisch won him we were eager to hear what he was close behind in the stand-
many lead up competitions was doing. The Best Warrior Com- ings but was proud of his team-
starting last spring. They petition is among the top 12 soldiers mate. He didn’t go home empty
started at state level and contin- and 12 NCOs in the Army. All handed though; loads of prizes
ued to work up. Each level was competitors train 24/7 for months in ranging from gift cards to high
increasingly more demanding advance to be up to the level neces- quality boots sweetened the
and required more training to sary. Most that compete are active deal.
prepare for. I recall talking to duty NCOs. SFC Eisch put in major
SFC Eisch when he started win- hours at Fort McCoy, alongside
another competitor SPC David
Fallen Contd. O’Bray from Winona. Together
they trained on everything Army
det Cody O’Brien a MS-III at- related, from weapons systems to
tending Viterbo put it best, book knowledge. And before long
“This tragedy is one of our de- it was time to compete!
fining moments in our genera- The competition was a
tion’s history and we should week long or a long week if you talk
never forget that.” to SFC Eisch! Extremely hard
physically and mentally it takes a
P AG E 11
Local ROTC Instructor Represents Viterbo*
CDT Shannon
In preparation for Virginia September 29- doesn’t mean we’re the best
the competition, SFC Eisch October 3, 2008 with soldier, because the best
focused on his physical twelve U.S. Army competi- soldier is probably on patrol
fitness and mental abilities. tors, one of which was a in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
He says this included a female, traveling from With the competition over,
“more productive eating Army stations as far as Oki- SFC Eisch returned home
routine” of lean protein and nawa, Japan with as close to without the top title, but did
vegetables and “exercising home as La Crosse, Wis- not leave empty handed.
two to two and a half hours consin represented by SFC Among the prizes that he
a day.” Once a week he Eisch. Over the course of won for simply making it to
took his sons to the YMCA the competition, the soldiers the competition included a
for a family workout of are asked to demonstrate trophy he has on display in
swimming. While his sons their abilities to complete his living room, a new ruck-
were at school, he spent tasks most often needed in sack, free running shoes for
most of his time pouring battle. SFC Eisch explained a year, and a weeklong trip
over his Army handbooks that the competition con- to Washington, D.C. The
and study guides to prepare sisted of urban orienteering trip to Washington, D.C.
for the oral and written ex- which is a form of land gave the twelve competitors
ams, and presentation be- navigation, a physical fit- the opportunity to meet top
fore a board of Non- ness test, a written exam, U.S. officials such as the
Commissioned Officers. weapons qualification, first- Sergeant Major of the Army
He also prepared by driving aid training, and an appear- Kenneth Preston and Vice
to Fort McCoy three times a ance before a board, mod- Chief of Staff of the Army
week to train alongside sol- ern Army Combatives, and General Peter Chiarelli,
diers that were being a mystery event. The mys- visiting various sites around
trained for Iraq and Af- tery event was a vehicular Washington, D.C., and en-
ghanistan. He attributes rollover simulation. joying their time away from
t h os e s ol d i er s wi t h A l t h ough this normal Army duties.
“refreshing and honing my event represents the best of So how did SFC
skills for the competition.” the best soldiers of the Eisch become a part of this
The competition Army, SFC Eisch says competition in the first
itself was held at Fort Lee, “winning the competition place? SFC Eisch never
Continued on Pg. 12
EA G LE TIMES
*The Following article is a reprint of an article that showed up in Viterbo’s
weekly newsletter.
V OLUME 5 ISSUE 1 P AG E 12
ROTC Instructor Contd.
intended to make it to the final com- been in the program. You may rec- “I’m thankful for the chain of com-
petition. In fact, he never planned ognize these students walking mand for their support with me and
on competing at all. Major Hansen, around campus dressed in their the kids during that time.”
another ROTC instructor at UW-La Army uniforms and hauling their SFC Eisch is now making
Crosse that works with SFC Eisch book bags to class. Jared Emmart, a his own paper airplane. His dog,
training cadets explains, “He was Senior Business student at Viterbo Minnie, who weighs about four
nominated by our brigade Sergeant from Stoughton, WI and ROTC ca- pounds, sits impatiently at his feet.
Major to go and represent UW-La det, shares his thoughts on why he SFC Eisch says with a laugh, “my
Crosse and Viterbo [ROTC].” Ma- believes SFC Eisch is so successful dog is from another planet,” refer-
jor Hansen had his doubts of how at what he does. “SFC Eisch is a ring to her squashed in face. Isaac
SFC Eisch would make it in the self-driven motivational, power- and Joey begin throwing the air-
competition, too. “At first, he spent house soldier that cannot run out of planes at one another and SFC
all his time teaching, and didn’t gas.” He can be often be found Eisch allows them their fun. His
seem to find time to study for the teaching cadets how to navigate their long-term goals are to eventually
competition.” SFC Eisch managed way around a forest with only a retire from the Army, and enjoy
to exceed others expectations about map, protractor, and compass. Land time with his family. “I want to be
the competition including his own. Navigation is his favorite teaching a wrestling coach for Isaac and
Settled back home from the subject in the Army. “I have always Joey. I want to win fishing tourna-
competition, SFC Eisch is working had a knack for finding things, al- ment someday, and buy a bass
on getting back to his normal rou- ways have. The spirit of detail and boat.” For now, the most important
tine which includes teaching at the the spirit of me being by myself. thing in his life is getting back on
UW-La Crosse Reserved Officer Trusting my pace, my compass, and routine and raising his boys after
Training Corp (ROTC), which trains my gut instinct. It’s hard to fight a the life-changing competition. He
UW-La Crosse and Viterbo Univer- battle if you can’t get there.” plans to resume his teaching posi-
sity cadets as potential future U.S. In addition to his teaching tion with ROTC in the Spring Se-
Army Officers. SFC says, “My life position, he is a full-time dad. Be- mester instructing sophomore ca-
is an organizational nightmare right tween preparing for the competition dets. SFC Eisch releases his paper
now, but in the long run it makes me and raising his two sons as a single airplane and says, “I will always
a better dad and a better leader.” divorced parent, Isaac and Joey who carry the experience of the compe-
Currently, the ROTC program has are ten and five years old, SFC Eisch tition with me. I wouldn’t change
thirty-six Viterbo students enrolled was relieved to have the understand- any of it for the world.”
in the program, the largest number ing of his colleagues who gave him
of cadets from Viterbo that has ever the fall 2008 semester off. He says,
The Results Are In!
CDT McCaigue
On the 23rd of October CDT Travis Cyphers- Field Artillery, CDT Theresa Schreiber- Adjutant
the branches for the commission- Active Duty General, Army Reserve
ing class of 2009 were released. CDT Holly Cuhel - Nurse Corps.
The following seniors were not Active Duty The next big step in their commis-
only ranked against their class- CDT Danielle Kessler- Nurse Corps, sioned journey to their fist unit
mates but as well as the rest of the Active Duty will be discovered around the
nation. They were ranked on the CDT Karla Shultz- Nurse Corps, spring time when their first duty
basis of GPA, LDAC perform- Active Duty stations are released.
ance, On-campus performance, as CDT Andrea Shultz- Nurse Corps,
well as extra curricular activities. Active Duty
The branch assignments for the CDT Jeremy Mollinger- Infantry,
commissionies are as follows: National Guard
CDT Njoya Chomilo – Aviation, CDT Jared Emmart- Engineer, Army
Active Duty Reserve
CDT Corey McCaigue- Infantry, CDT Matthew Johnson- Engineer,
Active Duty National Guard
2008-2009 MS-IV Class