Luke Ulrich - Army Strong Stories

Completion and beginning: Graduation and commissioning.

Luke Ulrich — Sat, 21 May 2011 20:34:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Well, it’s official. I am now a college graduate and an Army officer. I received my commission last Friday with twenty classmates. I have entered the USAR as a Transportation Officer. I am entering service as a platoon leader in the 443rd Transportation Company here in Omaha. My first battle assembly is in June, but I don’t attend TBOLC until September. It will be interesting to enter the unit before I know everything about our equipment and assets! (I am counting on my NCOs...read more

Transportation Basic Officer Leader Course—Advice Needed!

Luke Ulrich — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:34:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Well, it’s official: I’m going to the Army Logistics University on 6 Sep 11 in Ft Lee, VA to attend TBOLC! I’m looking for any advice officers may have on this course and what to expect. Thanks! I’m thrilled at the opportunity!...read more

Don't ask, don't tell: what's your opinion?

Luke Ulrich — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:35:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) has been a subject of much debate in government and public policy circles. Signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993, it is the official policy that prohibits people who "demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" from serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, because their presence "would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are...read more

Closing the semester: Army ROTC.

Luke Ulrich — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:35:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Two weeks until the fall semester is over. Six months until I am commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Army Reserve as a transportation officer (88A). The semester’s gone quite fast as I’ve been very busy with ROTC, class work, as well as extracurriculars. I’ve worked hard to develop a balance between my roles as a Creighton yell leader, squad tactical officer, and management student. It’s not been an easy road, but it has brought a lot of growth....read more

Army ROTC and the Army Reserve: Job Search.

Luke Ulrich — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:35:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
I’ve now begun my job search for after graduation and commissioning in May. I’ve been selected for service in the USAR, so I have to look for civilian employment as well. As a business major I’ll be looking for a job in marketing, HR management, or a management trainee position. I’ve been working on networking in the Omaha and Colorado Springs areas. After commissioning I’ll be a platoon leader at Ft Carson with the 423rd Transportation Company. I...read more

Army ROTC: More than physical strength.

Luke Ulrich — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 20:35:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Becoming a Soldier and an Army officer requires strength. ROTC and becoming an officer is not an easy commitment to make. It requires sacrifice and hard work. The strength you build through training requires you to set your feelings aside and work to accomplish the mission. Freshman year I learned that no one holds your hand through this process. Though they may bolster your strength, neither your comrades nor your leaders will be able to pull you through...read more

ROTC: not the typical college experience.

Luke Ulrich — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:35:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
I am a senior at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. I’m pursuing my bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in management. I’m fascinated by business and the way our economy operates. National service is also very important to me, so I decided to join ROTC. When I commission in May, I will be a third generation military officer. My grandfather was an Armor officer in the US Army, serving mainly in Korea. My father is a former Naval...read more

Field Training Exercise 2010-Army ROTC

Luke Ulrich — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:35:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Just returned yesterday from Camp Dodge, Iowa for our Fall FTX. It was a great weekend, even though the weather was not the greatest for training. When we arrived on Friday, we moved into the barracks and did some basic rifle marksmanship (BRM) and land navigation and map reading training, then had chow and discussed LDAC with the MSIII cadets (juniors). As MSIVs, we were tasked with running the weekend’s training. On Saturday, we got up at 0500 and had...read more

ROTC to Army Reserve: Commissioning May 2011.

Luke Ulrich — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:35:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Well, the national OML numbers are out, and I’ve been selected for duty with the United States Army Reserve. I will be entering reserve duty with the 423rd Transportation Company at Ft Carson, CO. I could not be more excited to finish up with ROTC in May, graduate from school, and earn my commission as a Second Lieutenant. I am thrilled to earn this responsibility and to earn the honor and privilege to lead America’s sons and daughters in the United States Army. I’m not yet...read more

Fall 2010: MS IV Year at Creighton University.

Luke Ulrich — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:35:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Tomorrow begins our second week of classes here at Creighton. Tomorrow we have our Pre-Marksmanship Instruction lab and we seniors will be teaching the cadets along with Soldiers from the Nebraska Army National Guard. I, along with my Guard counterpart, will be teaching the cadets on the beam hit trainer. It allows Soldiers to focus on the fundamentals of Basic Rifle Marksmanship and connect all the techniques. We’ve been through one Leadership Development...read more

Army ROTC--One year until commissioning.

Luke Ulrich — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:36:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
On 19 August, I will begin my senior year as an MS IV cadet of Creighton University’s Army ROTC. This semester, I will be serving as a Squad Tactical Officer, responsible for mentoring and evaluating junior cadets serving as squad leaders. Our training will prepare them for Operation Warrior Forge 2011. I am excited to take up this responsibility. I have had excellent training in ROTC and am looking forward to sharing my experience and guidance with the MS IIIs. I will...read more

Returning to Creighton University for MS IV Year.

Luke Ulrich — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:36:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Next month, I’ll return to Creighton University to begin my senior year, and my MS IV year of Army ROTC. I just returned from LDAC (Operation Warrior Forge) last week at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and I believe I am well-positioned to help prepare the junior class, the MS IIIs, to attend WF next summer. The officers and NCOs at WF were tough, but their guidance and evaluations were fair and necessary. I am thankful for their efforts and am glad they were able to share...read more

On my way to LDAC 2010!

Luke Ulrich — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:36:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
On my way to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and thought I’d write a quick blog post: Today I begin LDAC, U.S. Army ROTC’s Leadership Development and Assessment Course, the capstone training exercise for Army cadets. I’m going through LDAC with the 2nd Regiment, from 14 Jun-12 Jul. After completing LDAC, I will head to Ft Leonard Wood with the 5th Engineer BN of the 4th Manuever Enhancement Brigade to conduct Cadet Troop Leader Training, an...read more

Why Join ROTC?

Luke Ulrich — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:36:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Much is expected of those to whom much is given. As an American, it is my duty to serve the nation that has given me so many opportunities. The warriors, statesmen, scholars, business- and tradesmen that have come before me made sacrifices to ensure continued success. America cannot reach its potential without constant sacrifices made by its citizenry. It is vital for me to give back for all that has been given to me. My country demands this of me....read more

Spring Commissioning 2010

Luke Ulrich — Fri, 14 May 2010 20:36:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
I’ll be attending commissioning tomorrow for the Creighton University Blackwolves Battalion Class of 2010. It has been a great experience watching my friends and future comrades in arms earn their lieutenant’s bars. It is an awesome privilege and responsibility to lead the Soldiers of the United States Army. These individuals embody the characteristics that make this nation great, and I am supremely proud of them. We’ve PTed together, shared tough times...read more

Creighton ROTC Commissioning 2010

Luke Ulrich — Fri, 14 May 2010 20:36:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Just returned from the Creighton University Army ROTC Spring Commissioning Ceremony. It is truly a great day for these young officers as they begin their careers serving this great nation. I wish them well and good luck in all their endeavors. At the ceremony, I was seated next to my economics professor, Capt Tim Bastian, USAF (Ret.). He and I had have shared stories of military training and the ups and downs of military life. He represents the strong character of military...read more

Summer 2010.

Luke Ulrich — Thu, 13 May 2010 20:36:00 GMT

By: Luke Ulrich
Just enjoying my first week of my last college summer here in Omaha. Hanging around here another week before heading home for a few weeks before LDAC. It's been nice to have an apportunity to spend some time just taking it easy after finals. I'm pretty excited and nervous to get LDAC out of the way. Hoping to remember everything the cadre here has taught me. I feel pretty well prepared. We're having a training day this weekend focusing on combat patrols. The experience will be...read more