Royal Warrior Cadets Partner With Operation Success Students

On Saturday, March 2, members of the Royal Warrior Army ROTC Battalion partnered with The University of Scranton’s Operation Success program for an event that afforded local high students an opportunity to learn about the educational, leadership, scholarship and career opportunities available through Army ROTC. Approximately 40 high school students, grades 9-12, from throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania who are part of the Operation Success mentorship program filed into the Loyal Science Center auditorium to hear from Major Michael Dolan, the unit’s scholarship and enrollment officer. Major Dolan shared with students his experience over the course of the past 10 years serving on active duty, as well as discussed how Army ROTC can provide scholarship opportunities to those seeking to attend college. Following Major Dolan’s comments, student spent the next hour in small groups talking with cadets from across the Royal Warrior Battalion about everything from academic majors and scholarships to the leadership training ROTC affords to students.

"Getting to share my experiences with ROTC and my academic career at Scranton was a great experience," said Military Science Level II Cadet Ryan Caviston. "I can only hope that the little exposure these students had to ROTC, would inspire them to pursue a higher understanding of leadership and the opportunities that await them in both college and the U.S. Army."

Senior and fourth-year Army ROTC Cadet Jennifer Bullis remarked on the event, “I thought Operation Success went really well. It was a great opportunity to expose high school students to what ROTC is and what ROTC students are like. We weren't asking people to sign up for ROTC, we were asking them to think about the possibility, something many of them hadn't thought about before, which helped created a positive and open environment. We were able to answer questions for the students and break stereotypes that students had. The students had a positive experience and I think they walked away knowing a little bit about what the Army does and what people in the military are like. We are normal and nice people, we have fun and we go to school, but sometimes you have to actually meet military personnel for that to sink in.”

After the morning question and answer session, as well as lunch in the DeNaples Center, the Operation Success students and their University mentors returned to take part in several team building and military training events. During this phase students had the opportunity to learn several of the basic exercises which make up the Army’s physical fitness program, how to perform a litter carry as part of a four-person team, take part in learning how to wear various Army equipment and learn how to cross a one-rope bridge. 

“This weekend my fellow cadets and I got to teach high school students some of our daily routines as a cadet," said Military Science Level III Cadet Hope Oliver, who introduced Operation Success students to the basic components of the Army’s physical fitness program. "It was such a great feeling for myself and the other cadets to watch these students be so motivated and ready to learn.”

This marks the second time in the past three years that the cadets of the Royal Warrior Battalion have come together to help support Operation Success here at The University of Scranton. 

Approximately 40 high school students from throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, who are part of the Operation Success mentorship program, filed into the Loyal Science Center auditorium to hear from Major Michael Dolan on March 2.

ROTC cadets help a student successful cross a one-rope bridge, part of the afternoon military skills and team building phase of the March 2 program.

Military Science Level II Cadet Alexandra Nachtman (left) speaks with Operation Success students about her experiences at The University of Scranton and what she has learned as an ROTC cadet.