ECU ROTC programs active in fall semester

Published Jan 24, 2012 by
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Cadets from ECU's Air Force ROTC participated in team-building activities at the university's ropes course this fall. (Contributed photo)

East Carolina University ROTC cadets enjoyed an eventful fall semester with training and team-building activities.

The Air Force ROTC trained on the ECU ropes course in September and enjoyed the annual Combat Dining-in in October. Retired Maj. Gen. Gregory H. Power spoke at the Dining-in, where cadets also practiced saluting to the grog bowl. The grog bowl is traditionally a beverage contained within a toilet bowl, made from mixed beverages along with floating solids such as meatballs or oysters.

The AFROTC Detachment 600 commissioned two cadets; one will train in Nevada while the other lieutenant is assigned to a base in Japan.

The spring semester cranked up under the leadership of the new Cadet Wing Commander James Caviness, who is planning a formal Dining Out, weekend training to prepare cadets for basic training and a statewide AFROTC competition. The semester will close with comissioning six new Air Force second lieutenants.

The Army ROTC “Pirate Battalion” was busy making this fall making preparations for the 4 th Annual Patriot Run, where more than 140 runners and sponsors converged to support the  nation’s wounded warriors.  The battalion raised $7,000, which was split between Ft. Bragg’s Survivor Outreach Services and ECU’s Capt. David “Jp” Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Survivor Outreach Services work to ensure that surviving wives, husbands, parents and children whose loved one was killed in action are not forgotten. The scholarship honors ECU alumnus Capt. Thompson, who was killed in action in Wardak, Afghanistan on Jan. 29, 2010.  The scholarship supports a cadet in the Army ROTC program who exemplifies Thompson’s service, sacrifice and commitment to excellence as demonstrated by participation in and contributions to the ECU Army ROTC ranger challenge team.

The Patriot Run was hosted by the Brook Valley Country Club on Nov. 12, and featured both a five-mile and one-mile course around the golf course and the Brook Valley subdiision.

The 4th Annual Patriot Run raised funds to support a scholarship and military families. (Contributed photo)