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Contact: Jennifer Anderson (andersonj@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
10/10/2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES- Northwestern State University's Army ROTC program proved its commitment to excellence by recently ranking second at the Advance Leadership Training Camp in Ft. Lewis, Wash.
The Demon Battalion scored highest among six Louisiana schools and second highest only to Auburn University among the 22 schools from La., Miss., Ala., Tenn. and Fla. that are members of the Viking Brigade.
"It's more than a matter of pride," said Lt. Col. Clayton Chandler, professor commander of NSU's military science department. " It's a recognition of the outstanding training program at NSU."
According to Chandler, the cadets were evaluated according to subjective evaluations of their leadership skills as well as tests of physical fitness and Garrison operations. They were also required to complete two weeks in the field where they were evaluated on their leadership reaction, hand grenade assaults, rifle marksmanship and day and night land navigation. Field training also included situational training exercises and water survival training.
"We knew we were ahead of our contemporaries from Viking, but did not expect to be as far ahead as we were," said Cadet Captain Beth Helminiak, a senior administrative officer from San Antonio, Texas. "It was a challenge and a lot of fun."
"This year we are better than last year," said Chandler. " It is really an indication of the support that we get from faculty and staff. They do everything in their power to help us succeed."
NSU's military science program currently has 90 students. Its partnership programs with five schools in Shreveport and Alexandria have 30 students. ROTC scholarship winners receive free room and board or an equivalent grant to live off campus.