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SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONISSUE X VOLUME XMAY 2021COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATESSemester in Review2Ranger Challenge3Spring CFTX4Alumni Interview: MAJ Samuel Waltzer6-7Alumni Interview: 1LT Katty Villeda8Contracting Ceremony9Branches and Components10Commissioning Ceremony11Rutgers University can now offer COVID-19 vaccination beginning Wednesday, May 5 to students,faculty, staff, and others who are part of the university community and have a Rutgers NetID. Pleasevisit the Rutgers COVID-19 vaccine portal to register for an appointment at: https://rtr.ipo.rutgers.edu/vaccines.Appointments will be available at three campus locations: Camden: Campus Center, Lower Level, South ABC, 326 Penn St., CamdenNewark: Stonsby Commons, 91 Bleeker Street, NewarkPiscataway: Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, PiscatawaySimply put, getting vaccinated is the safest and best way to bring us back together, andRutgers is pleased to offer these vaccination opportunities to the community.FROM THE PROFESSOR OF MILITARY SCIENCEI could not be prouder of our Scarlet Knight Battalion Family – we were in uncharted waters and we have allhad to take unprecedented steps as our personal and professional lives were dramatically affected by theoutbreak. Our Cadets and Commissioned Second Lieutenants demonstrated the Scarlet Knight BattalionGRIT, resiliency, and tenacity during trying times. They planned, resourced, rehearsed, executed, andassessed all the training the Battalion conducted on a weekly basis. This includes daily physical training, 30 LABs (to include a land navigation in below 20 degree weather with over two feet of snow in Kilmer WoodsEcological Preserve and a firing range under similar conditions at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst),competing at Ranger Challenge and placing 13th out of 33 other schools in 2nd BDE, and a combined FieldTraining Exercise with Princeton and Seton Hall Army ROTC programs.The COVID pandemic gave rise to restrictions with in-person training, but I can honestly tell you our Cadetsdid not miss a beat and collectively came up with creative ways to stay engaged and in shape. As a testamentto their leadership, they consistently encouraged their classmates to engage with the program in theseadaptive ways. Despite the restrictions, 44 Cadets contracted, thereby taking the next step in theirdevelopment and commitment to the Army. These Cadet volunteers took an oath to serve and defend ourNation against all its enemies.Our goal for the Fall 2021 semester is to operate fully in-person: classes; daily physical fitness; and LABs forall Cadets. This is the final step for our ROTC program, University and Nation to return to normalcy. Onething that I am certain of, is that we will be more resilient, stronger and appreciative of the freedoms whichwe, at times, take for granted, and the simple things in life will have a more profound meaning. In times ofadversity a person’s true character becomes readily evident. Our Cadets have stepped-up and shown thatthey are men and women of high character, and are ready to lead our nation’s sons and daughters against anyfuture threats or challenges. Your compassion for one another speaks volumes about the values we hold sodear and the generosity that defines you as a person and future Army Officer.Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors for their unwavering support in helping to develop and transform ourCadets into the future leaders of our great nation. Your support is what keeps our lineage and traditionsgoing. MSI’s you are the future of our Battalion, MSII’s it’s been a pleasure to watch you grow and develop,MSIII’s you all are ready to take over the Battalion Cadet leadership. To our 13 Commissioned SecondLieutenants, I am going to miss you all, but I’m confident that you are ready to take the baton, enter theforce structure and emerge as the future leaders of our great nation. Never forget your Rutgers Universityand Scarlet Knight Battalion roots.Scarlet Knight – 6.Producing Professional Leaders and Humble Winners with GRIT since 1916. Go Knights!
SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONPAGE 2SEMESTER IN REVIEWBy CDT Stony ZhangAs the University approved our request for in-personlabs and physical training, the ROTC program took extremeprecaution in mitigating the spread of the virus throughout thissemester. In order for Cadets to attend any in-person event,they are required to test negative in a COVID-19 test taken theweek of. The extensive COVID-19 mitigation plan developedby the Cadre ultimately led the program to continue ouroperations, teaching and reinforcing Cadets in their knowledgeand ability to conduct lanes in preparation for Cadet SummerTraining.Despite in-person training events being optional inlight of the pandemic, most of the Cadets in the program haveattended many, if not all, of the training events during thesemester. The dedication of these Cadets does not gounnoticed by both the Cadre and the University. That is whyall the Cadets and staff within the Scarlet Knight Battalion arelooked up to as leaders of this University.
SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONPAGE 3RANGER CHALLENGEBy CDT Joseph HomThis year’s 2020-2021 Ranger Challenge was an outstanding example tothe rest of the Scarlet Knight Battalion and the ROTC program as a whole.Despite no in-person training during that Fall semester, cadets on theRanger Challenge team met up on their own to conduct Ranger ChallengePT in order to be prepared for the competition, which had been moved tothe Spring semester. Some cadets drove over an hour just to participate inthis unofficial training because they felt that the training they receivedthere was worth the trip. The motivation continued into the Springsemester and despite numerous delays due to the series of snow stormsduring the first half the semester, the Ranger Challenge team worked hardto be sure they were ready.Spending more than double the amount of timetypically asked of them a week, Ranger Challengecadets went through extensive technical training inthe weeks leading up to the competition. The team’scommitment to go above and beyond the standardwas overwhelmingly encouraging to see as a captainand the positive attitude continued throughout theevent. Overall, it was a true honor to work with thisyear’s Ranger Challenge team and grow with thegroup. I am proud of the work each of the cadets putinto the competition and the program as a whole andI can’t wait to see what next year’s team has to offer.Go Knights!
PAGE 4SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONSPRING CFTXBy CDT Aaron TamOn April 9-11, the Scarlet KnightBattalion conducted our SpringCombined Field Training Exercise(CFTX) with the Pirate Battalion(Seton Hall University) and the TigerBattalion (Princeton University) atJoint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst(JBMDL). The training populationconsisted of all FY2022 cadets fromall three battalions. To train in aCOVID environment, all cadets andcadre were required to show anegative COVID test from the week.The training population was also splitinto three platoons to create bubbles.From the 9th to the 11th, the threeplatoons rotated through cadetleadership conducting a platoon raid,attack, defense, ambush, andmovement to contact. Every cadetwas graded on their variousleadership position based on theirability to conduct these missions inpreparation for Cadet SummerTraining (CST) at Fort Knox. TheMSIV cadets also gained valuableexperience tasked to serve as platoonTAC's and OPFOR. The trainingevent was a major success, allowingour MSIII cadets to gain moreexperience and greater understandingof platoon tactics.
SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONPAGE 5SEMESTER IN REVIEW(CONT.)Alumni PanelThroughout this semester, our programhad the privilege to invite many Alumni andcurrent MBA students to speak to our Cadetsabout their experiences and service in the Army.These opportunities allow Cadets to gain insighton vast possibilities of their careers within theArmy. As many of these professionals are in theprocess of transitioning or already transitioned outof the Army, they also give the Cadets advice onthe process. Many of the leadership and technicalskills obtained through their service in the Armyallowed many of these professionals to be leadersin their work.Finishing out the SemesterThe Cadets in the Battalion were able to successfully complete all training events throughout thesemester. The MSIII Cadets worked hard throughout the semester, reinforcing and polishing their leadershipskills. This was extremely evident during the Combined Field Training Exercise.To close out the year, all MSI and MSII Cadets finished with a six mile ruck, while the MSIII and MSIVCadets successfully completed a twelve mile ruck. To celebrate the end of the ruck and the semester, the Cadetsenjoyed a delicious barbeque. We are extremely proud of all of our Cadets for their excellent work and dedicationto the program. Go Knights!- Stony Zhang
PAGE 6SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONALUMNI INTERVIEW: MAJ SAMUEL WALTZERA native of Southern New Jersey, MAJ Samuel Waltzer attended RutgersUniversity, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, and Rutgers-Camden School ofLaw, earning his Juris Doctor degree. MAJ Waltzer earned his commissionthrough the Rutgers University- New Brunswick Army ROTC program, Classof 2008, with Distinguished Military Graduate designation, and commissionedas a Transportation Officer. MAJ Waltzer’s previous assignments includePlatoon Leader with the 253rd Transportation Company / CompanyExecutive Officer with the 253rd Transportation Company / TransportationOfficer for the 119th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion / CompanyCommander of the 253rd Transportation Company and Operations Officer forthe 119th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. From June 2020 throughMarch 2021, MAJ Waltzer served as the S3 and Operations OIC for the 42DRegional Support Group’s Erbil Air Base, Iraq Base Operating Support –Integrator (BOS-I). In the civilian sector MAJ Waltzer has served as anassociate attorney in a large law firm and as a project manager with a Fortune50 company.What is the best part about being an Army leader? What is the most difficult part?Working with Soldiers and accomplishing missions that help to strengthen our State and Nation is the best part ofbeing an Army leader. It has been rewarding to serve for so many years and see Soldiers I knew as very young Soldiersmature into more senior Officers and NCOs. One of the difficult things about leading can be working towardaccomplishing the mission even in the case of limited resources, but we always find a way to accomplish our assignedtasks regardless.How has the military affected you personally and professionally?I have made many friends through the military, from both the military personnel and civilians I have been fortunate towork with over the years. From a professional standpoint, I have had the chance to lead large teams with a highamount of responsibility from a much younger age than my counterparts in the civilian world. This is also an assetwhen applying for positions in the civilian world. I have found that civilian employers look favorably on militaryexperience.From Left to Right:MAJ Samuel Waltzer, 42D RSG, Rutgers Army ROTC Class of 20081LT Alexander Scott, 42D RSG, Rutgers Army ROTC Class of 2016SSG Gisolette Ventura, 42D RSG, Rutgers University Class of 20201LT Katty Villeda, 82nd AD, Rutgers Army ROTC Class of 2017
PAGE 7SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONALUMNI INTERVIEW: MAJ SAMUEL WALTZER (CONT.)What was ROTC like when you were in school?The physical and military training was outstanding. Some things are probably still the same, like the early Fridaymorning leadership labs preceded by ruck marches to Kilmer Woods. We had a great cadre of experienced Officersand NCOs to train us and prepare us for service in the Army. We also had a great group of Cadets of many variedexperiences, and we all learned from each other. I have found that our ROTC structure closely mirrored the Armyunits I have served with. The broader community was also very supportive of the ROTC program and militarygenerally, as I think it still is today.What was your favorite memory from Rutgers Army ROTC?I very much enjoyed working the security for the Rutgers Football games at Rutgers Stadium. It was great beingdown on the field and contributing to the execution of a safe and fun event for the Rutgers community with myfellow Rutgers ROTC Cadets. And of course one of the perks was getting to be on the field during the games andseeing the game action up close.What is it like connecting with fellow alumni while on missions across the globe?It’s rewarding to meet other alumni who have the same connection to Rutgers and the Rutgers ROTC program allaround the world. It shows how small the world is, that despite being thousands of miles away from the UnitedStates, we are still able to meet fellow Scarlet Knights anywhere in the world and connect through our commonshared formative experiences.Every year, thousands of Cadets begin their transition into the Army as Second Lieutenants.What is one piece of advice you would give them from your experience?You should lead in a manner that fits your personality and individual style. Don’t try to exactly copy anyone else,because everyone is different and circumstances are always different. You can always learn both good and bad frompeers and from your leaders. Take those lessons and form your own leadership style. As long as Soldiers know youcare about their well-being, they will work hard for you and you will lead effective teams.From Left to Right:MAJ Samuel Waltzer, 42D RSG, Rutgers Army ROTC Class of 2008SSG Gisolette Ventura, 42D RSG, Rutgers University Class of 20201LT Katty Villeda, 82nd AD, Rutgers Army ROTC Class of 20171LT Alexander Scott, 42D RSG, Rutgers Army ROTC Class of 2016
PAGE 8SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONALUMNI INTERVIEW: 1LT KATTY VILLEDAWhat is the best part about being an Army leader? What is the most difficult part?The best part of being an Army leader is the ability to lead and influence Soldiers. The most difficult part is not beingable to solve all the issues your Soldiers face.What was ROTC like when you were in school?ROTC was fun yet challenging and evolved a lot from my MS2 -MS4 year. I’m excited to visit in the future and seehow different it is from when I commissioned.What was your favorite memory from Rutgers Army ROTC?My favorite memories of ROTC are the FTXs. Although at the moment they seemed like they sucked, there aredefinitely a lot of memorable moments. Those moments in “the suck” really help build strong friendships some ofwhich I still carry to this day. I couldn’t be more grateful for my time at Rutgers Army ROTC.What is it like connecting with fellow alumni while on missions across the globe?It was great connecting with Alumni while deployed! We were able to swap stories of what ROTC was like duringour time at Rutgers. It really shows you how small the world is and how the Army/Military is even smaller. Anotherexample of that is that my roommate downrange was a Rutgers Marine ROTC commissionee; she commissioned thesame year I did but we hadn’t met until we got to Iraq.Every year, thousands of Cadets begin their transition into the Army as Second Lieutenants.What is one piece of advice you would give them from your experience?Word of advice to an incoming Junior Officers is never be afraid to ask questions. BOLC doesn’t fully prepare you foreverything you will face once you arrive to your Duty Station/Unit. Don’t be afraid to turn to your NCOs and oreven Junior Enlisted Soldiers for help. Most of your Soldiers will have been in the Army longer than you or served inmultiple deployments. I did this quite a bit especially while deployed, I owe a lot of my success to my EnlistedSoldiers.se
PAGE 9SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONCONTRACTING CEREMONYThroughout the Spring semester of 2021, the Scarlet Knight Battalion welcomed 8 new Cadets into the family. TheseCadets have sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign anddomestic. The newly contracted Cadets include: CDTs Armas, Bender, Edmonds, Ianni, King, Mau, Raginsky, andQuesada. We are extremely proud of our Cadets!
SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONPAGE 10BRANCHES AND COMPONENTOrdnanceDaniel Carton (NJ Guard)Racheal Kim (Active)Aaron Tam (EOD)(Active)Field ArtilleryKory Hatton (Active)Sanjana Tatke (Active)AviationJoseph Hom (Active)Mischa Legoff (NJ Guard)Javier Nino (Active)Medical CorpsChristopher Baldasano (NJ Guard)TransportationDamian Morrone (NJ Guard)Rebecca Szuminsky (Reserve)FinanceStony Zhang (NJ Guard)SignalKaitlynn Johnson (NJ Guard)
PAGE 11SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONCOMMISSIONING CEREMONYOn 18 May 2021, the Scarlet Knight Battalion commissioned 13 2nd Lieutenants in a virtual ceremony. TheClass of 2021 dedicated their Commissioning Ceremony to 2LT Ryan Rehill. 2LT Rehill served as a mentor and arole model to many of the recently commissioned 2LTs. He will be remembered as a Leader who embodied theArmy Attributes.
SCARLET KNIGHT BATTALIONPAGE 12WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIAFROM THE CADET BATTALION COMMANDERBy CDT Mohammed KharboutliTo stay up to date on our activities/events,please follow the links below:Facebook: ghtBattalion/Instagram: @rutgersarmyrotcWebsite: https://armyrotc.rutgers.edu/homeDonations: https://armyrotc.rutgers.edu/donateServing as the Cadet Battalion Commander for the last 4 months has beenan honor, a challenge, and an unparalleled learning and developmentopportunity. The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has introduced manydiverse obstacles, but in-line with Scarlet Knight Battalion spirit, weadapted and overcame the obstacles as we faced them. Expanding ourCOVID test capabilities through the university and organizing distributedlearning through digital means were key challenges to enable trainingthrough the Spring semester, but they were both challenges the Battalionovercame. Despite the pandemic, the Scarlet Knight Battalion had avaluable 4 months of training, and achieved a variety of goals. Our RangerChallenge team’s grit allowed them to continue training with maximumeffort and motivation, placing 13 out of 33 teams in this year's competition.The Battalion adapted to the distanced environment by expanding ourmentorship groups to facilitate integration of underclassmen into the ScarletKnight Battalion. We introduced new programs, like the SOCOM Igniteteam which is working with the DoD and MIT ROTC to developinnovative technological solutions to problems SOF face in the field. Weincreased our leadership development opportunities through digitallyhosted mentorship panels, often inviting ROTC alumni. We expanded ourdigital capabilities by transitioning to Microsoft Teams as an integratedcommunications platform for the Battalion. And, as we always have, we hadeffective in-person training, such as morning PT, the CFTX, labs, and CSTprep for our MSIII cadets. All-in-all, it was an awesome semester filled withgreat experiences. I want to applaud the graduating class for theirdedication through the years and their resilience through the COVIDpandemic, and I wish you all the best in BOLC and in your Army careers. Iwish the cadets who will be attending CST in the coming months success,represent the SKBn’s best! And to all the new cadets who joined us this lastsemester, I hope you gained something valuable and plan to continue yourtraining. I am excited for what the Fall semester holds for the Battalion, aswe return to campus and our usual traditions. I wish everyone a fun andsafe summer, and I hope to see you all next semester! Scarlet Knights!
Rutgers University can now offer COVID-19 vaccination beginning Wednesday, May 5 to students, faculty, staff, and others who are part of the university community and have a Rutgers NetID. . Camden: Campus Center, Lower Level, South ABC, 326 Penn St., Camden . cur
