Jan 29, 2014

UNI ROTC sets gold standard

UNI's Army ROTC recently achieved a rare gold standard during a military competition for the second year in a row. The honor came Nov. 1-3, when 10 UNI ROTC personnel competed for The (GAFPB) at Western Illinois University. All 10 personnel successfully achieved gold, the highest standard for the competition.

"A showing like this from UNI ROTC only increases the level of excellence of the program," said Military Science III year Cadet Chris McIntyre, one of the 10 who competed.

Over the course of three days, the group competed in several events, which included the German basic fitness test (1,000 meter run, shuttle sprints, flex chin hang), 7.5 mile ruck march (with 35 pound backpacks), the 100 meter swim in Army combat uniforms and pistol qualification. Badges come in three rankings -- gold, silver and bronze -- and are determined during the marksmanship portion of the competition.

"The events don't intimidate us too much," says Cadet McIntyre. "We are all motivated to achieve the gold, and that is what we are striving for."

The UNI Panther Battalion has produced outstanding Army officers since 1891. The gold badges are just the latest in a series of honors for UNI:

  • Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges 2014 rankings
  • GI Jobs Military Friendly Schools 2014- ranks UNI in the top 15% of schools nationwide
  • Military Advanced Education named UNI one of their "Top Schools" in the 2014 Guide to Military Friendly Colleges and Universities

The successful UNI Cadets and Cadre include:

  • 2nd Lt. Bryce Meier
  • Nathan Rouse, freshman majoring in criminology
  • Margaret Maher, senior majoring in English
  • Thomas Madsen, senior majoring in economics and political science
  • Gatlin Meador, senior majoring in movement and exercise science
  • Chris McIntyre, junior majoring in history
  • Lucas Tener, sophomore majoring in management: business administration
  • Kenneth Voorhees, junior majoring in criminology
  • Karlee West, senior majoring in communication
  • Daniel Yehieli, senior majoring in criminology and global studies

News & Events

Terry Hogan, UNI's vice president for Student Affairs; Julia Heuer, Military and Veteran Student Services coordinator; and Jeremy Rosel, veteran and current student, will testify before the House Veterans Affairs Committee at 3 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Iowa Capitol, Room 19.