Filling in for then PSG after PRT Test. Forever Wired Logo It’s been awhile since I’ve been posting regular updates---this year, I hit the ground running with both school and work. My boss assigned me to coordinate the ’11 Forever Wired Conference (http://www.clarkson.edu/adk/) earlier this semester. Preparing for the conference was time consuming, but ultimately a success. With the help of...read more

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As a cadet, I enjoy most of my ROTC activities; nevertheless, there are some things you do as a cadet that are absolutely AWESOME! Last week during Air Lab, when the majority of my peers stood on the ground looking up in the sky wondering why there was a helicopter flying above campus---I was the one in the sky. Riding in the Chinook helicopter has been one of my most memorable moments thus far. It was my first time riding in a helicopter. After riding in multiple...read more

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Last Saturday was a busy day for the Golden Knight Battalion. We started it off in style, by defeating the Air Force in the Army-Air Force hockey game 10-0. We share a good relationship with the local Air Force Detachment, and value their decision to serve America as we have, that being said---there is nothing better than beating them in Hockey! Every year, the Clarkson Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC compete against one another in a soccer, hockey, and basketball game. The Battalion (or...read more

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The CWST (Combat Water Survival Test) was broken into three different phases. 1) Swim across the pool with a M-16 (we actually used "rubber ducks" which are fake M-16's that weigh the same but are made out of rubber) 2) Jump into the pool with a LBV (Load Bearing Vest) and M-16 (Again rubber duck), drop the rifle and remove the vest, resurface and swim to the edge of the pool. 3) Walk off diving board blindfolded and swim to the edge of the pool. Video is located...read more

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Last week, I was fortunate to participate in one of the most enjoyable labs of the year---American Weapons Lab. During this lab I got to hold an M-4, M-16, wear night vision goggles, Sit in a Humvee, and touche the butterfly handles of a 50 caliber machine gun. Night-vision Goggles (Yes, they can be used in light areas when looking through a pinhole) Cdt. Nelden and I (I'm holding an M-16) M-4 Carbine M-249 Machine Gun Sitting in a...read more

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MSIII Cadet's recieve rank from Cadet Commander During lab last week, everything looked the same as last semester. Same cadets, same time, same formalities. However, during this lab, there was a ceremony that occurred---which sets the pace for the rest of the semester. Our Battalion Commander began discussing with us the history of the chevron symbol found in most enlisted insignia. He told us about the history of the chevron. In midevil times, a chevron...read more

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Whenever I walk across campus in my ACU uniform, I am usually stopped by fellow students, Professors, or facility members who wish to inquire about the Golden Knight Battalion (Clarkson Army ROTC program). The most common question I receive is “do you have to wear your uniform every day,” or “Hey Matt, I’m interested in joining the Army ROTC program, can you tell me where to join and how the program works.” Throughout this blog post, I hope to touch base on...read more

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As the spring semester approached, few things initially appeared to change in the Golden Knight Battalion. Some cadets were issued to new squads, and now MSII (sophomore) cadets are being assigned leadership roles as squad leaders; versus last semester where only the MSIII (junior) cadets were assigned the responsibility. What was once called PT, I am being told, is now technically PRT. But the most noticeable change during the first week of the semester was not the name change...read more

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Last week, I found myself in front of 60 3rd and 4th grade elementary students. As I stood in front of the students in my ACU Uniform, I began my presentation with “Good Afternoon Boys and Girls,” and was greeted by 60 little mouths shouting at the top of their lungs “GOOD AFTERNOON FLYNN!.” One would think that the loudness of the response was a surprise to me—but I had expected that. Moreover, the fact that the children already knew my name before I introduced...read more

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