Alumni Newsletter Fall 2022
Rockets, Proud to be!
By LTC COLBY PEPON
Following the successful execution of Cadet Summer Training 2022, the Rocket Battalion eagerly returned to campus, jumping head-first into an exciting and challenging semester filled with cohesion-building organizational events, leadership growth, and opportunities for individual development. After welcoming new arrivals to the battalion, the battalion completed a field training exercise, hosted the annual 9-11 Run to Remember, and welcomed back alumni while celebrating the University’s 150th anniversary at the annual homecoming celebration. Mid-semester we sent cadet teams to compete in the 7th ROTC Brigade’s Bold Warrior Challenge, and the Army’s annual Army Ten Miler race in Washington, DC.
Throughout the remainder of the semester we will continue to maintain our high level of organizational momentum, finishing the semester strong with a much-anticipated Dining-in event, and the Fall Commissioning Ceremony.
Lastly, be sure to check out our Army ROTC Rockets in Action.
CADET HIGHLIGHTS: SUMMER '22
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9/11 Memorial Run to Remember – September 11, 2022
Fall Field Training Exercise – September 23-25, 2022
UToledo Homecoming Army ROTC Alumni Event - October 1, 2022
Army Ten Miler - October 9, 2022
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Military Appreciation Night-UToledo Football Game-November 11, 2022
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cadet testimonials
Cadet Marissa Lechlak 
After successful completion of Cadet Summer Training (CST), Cadet Marissa Lechlak
participated in a Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP) internship at Madigan Army
Medical Center on Joint-Base Lewis-McChord, WA. Cadet Lechlak had the opportunity
to work in a diverse spectrum of hospital care units including, labor and delivery,
post-partum care, general surgery, pediatric and adult intensive care, and in the
emergency room. While working under the supervision of Registered Nurses, Cadet Lechlak
exercised her clinical skills by removing and inserting IVs and catheters, administering
medications and vaccines, drawing blood samples, and assisting in medical assessments.
Cadet Lechlak gained first-hand experience with full twelve-hour nursing shifts common
amongst current Army Nurses while building valuable additional clinical experience.
“NSTP was an amazing experience for me as a nursing student. I had wonderful mentors at the hospital who warmly welcomed me with open arms. I learned so much from the hospital staff about how an Army hospital runs and what service is like as an Army Nurse.” --Cadet Lechlak
Cadet Mason Babcock
This past August, Cadet Babcock reported to the 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry
Regiment at Fort Benning, GA to participate in the Army’s Basic Airborne Course. An
active and eager student throughout each phase of the school’s training, Cadet Babcock
completed five successful jumps with a T-11 parachute from a high-performance aircraft.
Cadet Babcock completed the course-required night airborne jump approximately 10 miles
away from an impressive late-summer thunderstorm, which left a lasting impression
on Cadet Babcock. Cadet Babcock excelled while completing all course requirements,
and was awarded the Basic Parachutist Badge, commonly referred to as “Airborne Wings”
on September 2nd, 2022.
Cadet Shelomith Njeri
Following CST, Cadet Shelomith Njeri participated in a NSTP internship at Fort Belvoir
Army Community Hospital, on Fort Belvoir, VA. Cadet Njeri shadowed a Navy medical
officer in the Emergency Medicine Department assessing patients, attending to Trauma
Codes, and developing care plans for each patient. As the internship progressed, Cadet
Njeri was able to shadow medical professionals on other units such as the Intermediate
Care Unit, Medical Surgical Unit, and in the Operating Room. Additionally, Cadet Njeri
had the opportunity to observe flight nurse training on a HH-60M Black Hawk. While
in the National Capital Region Cadet Njeri visited the Pentagon and was briefed on
emergency medical preparedness at the Pentagon’s DiLorenzo Health Clinic. Upon completion
of the internship, Cadet Njeri was individually recognized for excellence by the Fort
Belvoir Army Community Hospital Director of Operations with a command challenge coin.
Cadet John Hoehn
Early this past summer, prior to his successfully completion of Cadet Summer Training,
Cadet John Hoehn had the privilege of attending the United States Army’s Sabalauski
Air Assault School, on Fort Campbell, KY. Focused and determined throughout the physically
and mentally demanding course, Cadet Hoehn, excelled displaying unshakable confidence
while rappelling out of a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter. After the completion of the
course’s final requirement, a 12-mile ruck in under 3 hours, Cadet Hoehn attained
Air Assault qualification and was awarded the Air Assault Badge. Cadet Hoehn distinguished
himself as one of the 95 successful graduates of the course out of the 322 initial
candidates who attempted course qualification.
Greatful for the opporuntiy to attend asslt school, well prepared by geary , physically more mentally w/rigours tests, learned more about myself and a taste what the real army was like. Loved being able to network w/other soldiers and leadership.
“I feel very greateful to have had the opportunity to attend Air Assault School. As expected, the school challenged me physically, but was also very challenging mentally with the rigorus tests that were required throughout the course. Air Assault provided me with a view of what the real Army is like. I feel that I learned an immense amount from the other Officers and Soldiers in the course. I’m also very thankful to SFC Geary (UT Cadre) for the individualized training and preparation that he gave me prior to the course.” –Cadet Hoehn
Cadet Julia Wilkinson
After successful completion of CST, Cadet Julia Wilkinson participated in a NSTP internship
at Ft. Belvoir Army Community Hospital on Ft. Belvoir, VA. Throughout the internship,
Cadet Wilkinson participated in a variety of clinical experiences in the intensive
care unit as well as on a medical surgical unit, gaining over 100 hours of clinical
time. Wilkinson shadowed nurses and participated in multi-faceted patient care, while
conducting research and preparing an evidence-based practice project to improve overall
patient outcomes at Ft. Belvoir Army Community Hospital. Like Cadet Njeri, Cadet Wilkinson
also had an opportunity to visit DiLorenzo Health Clinic in the Pentagon, as well
as participate in flight nurse training facilitated by the Maryland Army National
Guard. At the conclusion the NSTP internship, CDT Wilkinson was presented with the
Ft. Belvoir Army Community Hospital challenge coin for excellence by the hospital’s
Director of Operations.
Cadet Austin Andry
After successful completion of CST, Cadet Austin Andry conducted Cadet Troop Leader
Training (CTLT) with Bravo Company, 8th Psychological Operations Battalion at Fort Bragg, NC. Cadet Andry observed mission
planning for an upcoming multinational exercise Eager Lion in Jordan, as well as some
initial planning for the Company’s support to the Special Operations exercise Sage
Eagle. While at Fort Bragg, Cadet Andry explored military branches that interested
him, shadowing the battalion’s S2 to learn about Military Intelligence. Cadet Andry
learned about the complexities of planning for airborne operations, observing the
execution of a day jump and follow-on mission alongside an Engineer lieutenant within
A Co., 127th Engineer Battalion (Airborne). Additionally, Cadet Andry took part in a digital force
protection course, a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) refresher course,
assisted on an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) range, and assisted the company
in the execution of an Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Throughout CTLT Cadet Andry
had the opportunity to talk to and learn from many Officers, Soldiers, and other Cadets
at Fort Bragg, NC enriching his personal development as a senior ROTC Cadet.
“I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to talk and learn from other Officers and NCOs in the PSYOPs community at Fort Bragg. I feel like I learned a lot how PSYOPs units train and had a chance to learn more about military intelligence.” --Cadet Andry
Cadet Baumle
Prior to participating in CST, Cadet Grant Baumle participated in Sage Eagle, a reoccurring
Army Special Forces field training exercise in Joint Base Lewis McCord (JBLM), WA.
Sage Eagle introduces Cadets to mission planning and tactics, in a simulated combat
environment led by Army Special Forces personnel. For three weeks Cadet Baumle trained
with members of a Special Forces Operational Detachment, observing and learning how
to execute mission essential tasks such as reacting to enemy contact, conducting ambushes,
and conducting raids. While at JBLM Cadet Baumle learned the basics of guerrilla warfare
and tactics used by for Army Special Forces. Throughout the training opportunity Cadet
Baumle learned small unit leadership skills from some of our nation’s most elite warriors.
“I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to train alongside Special Forces personnel. I feel like I grew as a leader throughout Sage Eagle and can now grasp the comradery that is developed in these elite units. ” -- Cadet Baumle
specialty platoon news
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PERSHING RIFLES: TROOP L-1
Upcoming Troop L-1 Events:
RECON PLATOON In mid-November Recon Platoon, planned and coordinated a Blood Drive with the American Red Cross. The event, the first ROTC-sponsored blood drive on-campus since 2012, was very successful, yielding double the projected units of whole blood collected. Early in 2023 Recon Platoon will conduct the annual Ranger Challenge Tab Tryout event, testing the tactical proficiency, physical fitness, and mental fortitude of high-achieving Cadets who aspire to wear the much sought after tab.
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Troop L-1 continues to maintain an active presence providing Color Guard support to
ceremonial events on-campus and throughout Toledo. 
semester end review
 Cadets and cadre conduct Air Load training during a Leadership Lab session. |
 Cadet Baumle briefs an Operations Order using a terrain model. |
 Cadets conduct the two Mile Run for the Army Combat Fitness Test. |
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 The Rocket Battalion marches during the annual UToledo Homecoming Parade. |
 LTC Pepon administers the oath of office with new cadets at the UToledo Military Appreciation football game . |
upcoming events
Fall 2022:
Spring 2023:
Event SupportWe appreciate your support and any help you have provided to the Rocket Battalion.
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