Missouri college students move toward military commissions
ST JOSEPH, Mo. — For some 70 college students, Thursday was a special day at Missouri Western State University.
Each of the students carries a second title — cadet. All are members of the composite Army Reserve Officers Training Corps' battalion, headquartered at Missouri Western and known as the Pony Express Battalion.
The cadets gathered for a battalion change of command ceremony. Cadet Lt. Col. Rosy Padilla received the unit's guidon and took command of the battalion. Miss Padilla, of Platte City, will have the job for the next six months.
"I'm excited to be battalion commander," she said. "I feel I can make a positive impact on the program."
The cadet commander will graduate in May, become an Army 2nd Lieutenant and report to Fort Sam Houston for the start of her medical service training. Her goal is to become an Army hospital administrator.
Eleven students took a primary step toward an Army career when they took the oath of enlistment, swearing "to support and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Those students have maintained at least a 2.5 grade point average, obtained passing Army fitness test scores, written an essay and appeared before an Army board that inquired about each student's decisions for entering the program.
Cadets were also recognized for their academic scores, physical fitness and the unit's success in the Ranger Challenge program, where platoons competed against 27 other teams in the brigade that the battalion reports too.
Army Lt. Col. Shay Howard, the commander of the ROTC battalion, congratulated the cadets and urged them over the holidays to write a note and say thank you to someone who helped them along life's path.
The battalion also includes students from Northwest Missouri State University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, William Jewell College, Benedictine College, Park University, Avila University, Kansas City Metropolitan Community College and Calvary Bible College.
marshall.white@newspressnow.com
