Guns and glory: ROTC students become warriors

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Rogers Heights became warrior country.

The Central Michigan University ROTC “Chippewa Battalion” met with its Ferris State University partners for a day of field exercises, camaraderie and leadership transition.

The second “Warrior Day” took place Saturday at FSU’s law enforcement training area in Rogers Heights.

Oxford MS2 sophomore Byron Nolde, 20, waits for commands to fire. The cadets mixed PT between firing to elevate their heart rates while shooting. (Nathan Kostegian/ Staff Photographer)

Cadets were organized into three companies and cycled through several stations including a grenade range complete with vintage Soviet army stand-ups, close quarters combative ring, canoe course and an M-16 rifle firing range.

“Grunting is what makes a fight a fight,” said Westphalia sophomore Devin Smith.

The gathering was organized by members of the FSU ROTC both to train and celebrate the closing of another year.

Smith watched as his colleagues grappled at the combat course, practicing guards, chokes, and other techniques – minus knuckles.

Mount Pleasant freshman Megan McBride stepped into the ring and wrestled against FSU freshman Becca Inman, but only after being reminded to remove the bobby pins from her hair.

“If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying,” McBride joked.

Hart senior Mike Anderson had a less technical approach to scoring another point for CMU.

“I used the ‘I’m much bigger than you technique, from the ‘Wing-it’ discipline,” Anderson said.

The cadets treaded through a heavy downpour across muddy fields for much of the day, but stopped in mid-afternoon to hand over command to the leaders of tomorrow.

Madison MS2 sophomore Nick Vandermore, 19, holds Westphalia MS2 sophomore Devin Smith,20, in a combative drill Saturday. The cadets competed in two minute rounds or til a tap out. (Nathan Kostegian/Staff Photographer)

Former Battalion Commander Dave Seery, a Clarkston senior, lead the battalion through the symbol of the wind-swept CMU flag, to graduate student Rachael Knapp of Montague.

Seery said he enjoyed the challenge of the role, though being a leader and a peer to his fellow cadets was often trying.

“I am excited for the challenges and rewards it will bring,” Knapp said. “They’re gonna be so sick of me telling them what to do!”

Next year Knapp and the other fourth-year cadets will be responsible for organizing the ROTC’s events.

Knapp looks forward to organizing next year’s “Rivalry Run” against Western Michigan University, an overnight run before the rivalry game against WMU in which the game ball is carried over on foot by the two schools’ ROTC programs.

“You’ve all accomplished a hell of a lot this year, and I’m proud of you,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Kalloch, the leader of the CMU ROTC program, at the closing ceremonies.