Campus Connection

Eagle Battalion graduates find roles guiding new recruits

[caption id="attachment_4972" align="aligncenter" width="685"] UWL’s LTC Jane Brannan poses for a picture with four Eagle Battallion alums at a workshop in Kentucky. Pictured from left to right, LTC Jon Rastall, LTC Richard Showalter, LTC Jerad Sutton, LTC Keven Beattie and LTC Brannan are all professors of military science in the U.S.[/caption] In September, LTC Jane Brannan, the leader of UWL’s ROTC program, attended the Mission Command Workshop in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. While there, she met four other professors of military science who graduated from the Eagle Battalion in 1997 and 1998. We caught up with three of them.

LTC Jon Rastall

Tell us about your program now. I have about 60 cadets here at Northern Michigan. I like that it’s a small program similar to when I was a cadet, but it’s definitely a different environment now that I’m working with civilians. I still find it extremely enjoyable, especially the time with the cadets. They are motivated and I really enjoy seeing them apply what I teach. Where did your military journey take you? I stuck around for about four months after graduating from Viterbo as a gold bar recruiter. That basically means I was the poster child for ROTC. After that I went to flight school before being deployed twice, then again a little later in my career. After some more training I was given the opportunity to come up to Northern Michigan. How do you ensure the future leaders are ready to lead? Leadership is a responsibility. You’re not put in this position because you’re awesome. Some qualities help, but once you’re there, it’s not about you. You exist to serve. We serve those who are under us and look out for their well-being. What went through your head when you ran into the other UWL alums who are professors of military science? I didn’t realize all four of us had gotten into this. Actually, I ran into LTC Keven Beattie in Iraq of all places. We try to stay in touch. I think that really demonstrates the Army can be a small place and the strange places you can run into people.

LTC Jerad Sutton, ‘98

Tell us about your program now. I’ve been teaching at Creighton University in Omaha since July 2013. The program size is very similar to UWL; we’re producing 10-15 officers every year. I know I really liked the small size when I was a student. That meant I got a lot of quality time with the cadre. They were all fantastic. I get the same feeling here. The people I work with are trying to make us as best as they can – and it’s not because it’s just their job. It’s because they’ve fallen in love with the Army and want the new officers to take care of it. How well do you remember your time in La Crosse? Very well. La Crosse was a great place to be a young adult between things to do and the city being active. It’s actually pretty similar out here in Omaha, especially having bike trails everywhere. I actually started my schooling at Viterbo and went to UWL for ROTC. I ended up switching majors and transferring to UWL and graduating in 1998 with degrees in history and psychology. That experience really helps me talk to first year students. But, I seriously enjoyed my time at UWL. The education, community, everything made sure when I took my first steps into the professional world that I was prepared to succeed. What I am today, I credit it to UWL. Where did your military journey take you? After graduating I went into active duty at the Army field artillery school. I transferred around a few places in the U.S., learning a number of related skills, until I was deployed in October 2003. I remember flying into Iraq. It was Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day and my wife’s birthday. I spent six months there. After coming home, I became a logistics officer and had the “fun” job of moving equipment down to Kuwait to have the sand washed off of it before sailing back to Texas. After that, I had my first leadership experience as commander of the Bravo Battery. I was deployed with them for a second tour in the Middle East. After that, my wife and I had our second child and I was looking for a way out of the Army. I want to get a Ph.D. and teach at a college level. I talked to my chain of command and when I was just about to do that, we redeployed home. I changed jobs in the Army, but I was still away from my family for several months at a time. Eventually, I entered a program to get promoted. When I was about to be deployed for my fourth time, they called me and offered this position at Creighton. I’ll be here until July 2017. That will probably be my last move, and then I’ll come back and retire in Omaha. Do you have any memories – training or ROTC related – that stick out to you from your time at UWL? One that I continue in a similar fashion revolves around video games. The computer game DOOM came out while I was a student. One Saturday morning, one of our Cadre members got us together to play the game. We all started in a free for all, and then eventually we started grouping up and taking objectives. Without really thinking about it, we started using things we were taught, like maneuvering and covering everyone else. It really stuck with all of us because it was more than play. Now I get my students together and we play on the console. It’s likely the way of the future and the Army is teaching leaders on how to do this and why.

LTC Richard Showalter, ‘97

Tell us about your program now. I’m at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I’ve been doing this for about two years. We’ve got about 130 cadets and commission around 25 officers a year. The curriculum has definitely changed quite a bit since I was a cadet. It was obvious from the manuals. So I try to think back to what I wish I would have known when I was a cadet. Where did your military journey take you? After graduating from UWL, I became a gold bar recruiter for about two months. Then I went to training to become a Field Artilleryman. In my career, I was deployed twice in Iraq, served at Ft. McCoy near my alma mater and was deployed to Afghanistan before coming here. What’s something that is really important for you to keep in mind while training future officers for the Army? Building context. I try to make sure the officers understand why I have them do something one way or where my priorities are. I believe they need to do the same. The soldiers deserve to know why they’re risking their lives and why they’re expending time and capital. You can’t just say because I said so. That doesn’t work and isn’t fair. What are some of you best memories from your time as a cadet? The best memories are easily the camaraderie we had. We had a really close-knit class and some incredible teamwork. That’s why I thought it was pretty cool that four of us are professors of military science now. I’m not surprised that these guys are leading departments. They had a strong desire. I do wish we all had stayed in contact better than we did after graduating. But I’m glad I keep running into UWL folks. It makes me really glad that they didn’t do away with the program. It set good foundations for me and really helped set me up for a successful career.

Staying at home

[caption id="attachment_4973" align="alignright" width="300"] Michael Bahr, '14, is leading the Veteran's Benefits office at UWL.[/caption] Michael Bahr, ’14, found his place in a familiar space. He’s taken over as the Veteran Education Benefits Coordinator at UWL. The veteran spent time as a student working in the Veterans Services office, giving him an understanding of both how the office works and the ability to “help me better serve the service members on campus,” says Bahr. Bahr is also continuing to promote Green Zone Training, an online certification that teaches faculty and staff about veteran’s issues and how to provide support. “My main goal is to ensure that service members and dependents of service members all receive the educational benefits and resources that they have earned,” Bahr says.

Honor our Veterans

All veterans can receive a free ticket to the UW-La Crosse vs. UW-Oshkosh football game at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex. Veterans can receive the free ticket with their military ID at the football ticket window. Additional $4.00 tickets can be purchased when Veterans ticket is presented at the ticket window on game-day. There will be several other special events at the game:

• Presentation of the Colors by the ROTC Color Guard
• An aerial flyover
• Moment of silence in remembrance of those who have fallen
• Live playing of Echo Taps
• Three-volley firearms salute
• Recognition of all service members in attendance
• Patriotic Salute by the Screaming Eagles Marching Band

[caption id="attachment_4974" align="alignleft" width="300"] UW-L student-athletes served breakfast to veterans and their spouses at the Fourth Annual Freedom Honor Flight Veterans Day Breakfast.[/caption] On Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, there will once again be a free breakfast for all veterans and their families. UWL student athletes will serve the meal in Mitchell Hall Fieldhouse from 8-10 a.m. There will be a brief ceremony in the Veteran's Hall of Honor at 8:15 a.m. and a Veterans Day Program in the fieldhouse at 9:15 a.m. Parking is free in Lot C2. Please RSVP by calling 608.784.1015 with the number of attendees. You do not need to leave your name.