Services draw 100 freshmen, millions of scholarship dollars
By SCOTT BRODFUEHRER
Assistant News Editor
A humvee mounted with a grenade launcher drove down Juniper Road and a blackhawk helicopter landed on campus Wednesday morning, but the Army wasn't responding to parietals protestors, it was conducting a demonstration for 18 freshmen joining the Army's Fightin' Irish Battalion, which consists of students from area colleges.
"It's a recruiting tool, students get to see a showcase of what we have," said Maj. Gary Masapollo.
Students were able to get into the humvee and learn about the operation of the MK-19 grenade launcher mounted to the roof of the humvee. According to Spc. Jonathan Reed, the grenade launcher is mounted to vehicles used in perimeter security and was used in the Desert Storm conflict. A UA 60 Blackhawk helicopter from the Illinois National Guard flew in from Decatur, Ill., and landed on the field in front of the Rolfs Sport Recreation Center. The pilot gave a brief overview of the operation and usage of the aircraft and students could sit in the helicopter and in the pilot's seat.
The cadets spent their first days at college learning the basics of being in the Army, such as how to wear the uniform and basics about the Army itself. The goal of the entire Army ROTC program is to prepare cadets to become a Second Lieutenant.
The incoming cadets had a variety of reasons for joining Army ROTC, but main reasons included scholarship money and job security after graduation. The students were mostly impressed by their Army orientation experience.
"It's challenging. Parts of it are fun, but parts of it are like `Oh my God, just shoot me!'" said Saint Mary's freshman Diana Herr.
All of those in the orientation program were not new to army life, though. Two had prior service experience, in the guard and the reserves. Amy Elliot served in the guard for two years and three months and will attend Indiana University South Bend and Theresa Brown served in the reserves and will attend Notre Dame. Although the orientation program was a review for the women, they will help the freshman become acclimated to Army life.
"We will help them with basic stuff and details of Army rules, like how you wear your belt and how you shine your shoes," Elliot said.
The humvee was provided by the 428th Military Police Company based in South Bend. According to Capt. Norma Ayala-Rosa, the company consists of 124 soldiers and during a military conflict, the company could be deployed in a conflict to guard and care for refugees, such as after the Kosovo conflict when refugees came to the United States seeking asylum.
The 56 Air Force cadets spent their days at orientation completing requirements, including a fitness test and a five hour examination. Thursday night was the culmination of their events at the Sacred Heart Parish Center. The cadets and their families attended Mass, had a drill ceremony outside, took the official oath to become part of the program and had a picnic.
According to Capt. Jeffrey Sturgell, the Air Force program has been impressed with the number of cadets and the amount of scholarship money in the program.
"We definitely have had a banner year this year as far as the number of cadets. Especially compared to the other services, we really have done well. It's just incredible, we are pumping in close to two million dollars in scholarship money," said Sturgell, the Deputy Commandant of Cadets.
The Navy's midshipmen arrived on campus Sunday and have been preparing for a drill competition and uniform inspection.
"The different platoons compete against each other in a drill competition and do a uniform inspection. And then we have a big cookout where the staff cooks for the students," said Lt. Phil Prentice.
Within the services at Notre Dame, the Navy has a reputation of doing the most marching and military training, but Prentice said the program is not overly challenging.
"All [the services] do physical training, but we might march a little more than they do, we are preparing for a drill competition. I'm not sure overall that we're really hardcore and rigorous. We do try to teach them as much as we can," said Prentice.
A common thread in all three service programs is the attention paid to the parents, including picnics, golf scrambles sand reassurances that their student will be well taken care of.
"My folks have done a great job. I think the parents have enjoyed this just as much, if not more, than the cadets," said Lt. Col. Dave Mosinski, the Army's Commanding Officer at Notre Dame.
All News Stories for Sunday, August 26, 2001
