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FSC's ROTC cadets excel at training events

LAKELAND, Fla. (Sept.13, 2004) - Florida Southern College's Army ROTC program sent 16 cadets to various parts of the country this summer to attend training events. Cadets attended the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) at Fort Lewis, Wash.; the Leader Training Course (LTC) at Fort Knox, Ky.; the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga.; and the Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT) at Fort Hood, Texas. 

The Leadership Development Assessment Course (LDAC) is the most important training event for an Army ROTC cadet. The 32-day camp incorporates a wide range of subjects designed to develop and evaluate leadership ability. LDAC tests intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and stamina. "These cadets performed well above the national average with strong performances in the Army Physical Fitness Test, Basic Rifle Marksmanship, and Land Navigation," said Lt. Col. Mick Haydak, military science professor at FSC. "These challenges provide a new perspective on an individual's ability to perform exacting tasks and to make difficult decisions in demanding situations." 

The following 13 cadets took part in this course. Three cadets, noted below, received RECONDO badges, awarded for exceptionally high scores in the training events. 

Stephen Abrams is a senior criminology major. He is the son of James and Valda Branson of Leesburg, Va. 

David Carranza, a senior political science major, is the son of Rafael Carranza and Cynthia Taylor of North Ft. Myers, Fla. 

John Clark (RECONDO badge) is a senior mathematics major and son of David and Karen Clark of Stafford, Va. 

Michael Cuccaro, a senior marketing management major, is the son of Frank and Marie Cuccaro of Ft. Myers, Fla. 

Tracey Edwards, a senior criminology major, is the daughter of Clark and Donna Edwards of Valrico, Fla. 

David Ginn is a computer science major who resides in Lakeland, Fla. 

Stacey Gross (RECONDO badge) is a senior mathematics major and daughter of Frank and Georgia Gross of Poquoson, Va. 

Mary-Ahn Luciano, a senior religion major, is the daughter of Oscar and Youn Suk Kim Luciano of Seoul, Korea. 

Keith Mahler is a junior physical education major and son of Michael and Carol Mahler of Auburndale, Fla. 

Jacob Olszewski, a senior mathematics major, is the son of John and Dana Olszewski of Oconomowoc, Wis. 

Stephen Purdy is a senior political science major. He is the son of Stephen and Alice Purdy of Plantation, Fla. 

Heather Swanson, a senior biology major, is the daughter of Howard and Margaret Swanson of Brandon, Fla. 

Jeffrey Trinidad (RECONDO badge), a senior criminology major, is the son of Jeffrey Trinidad of Waldorf, Md. and Mary Kusnierz of Pasadena, Md. 

The Leader's Training Course (LTC), the Army's two-year ROTC program entry point, allows students without ROTC Basic Course experience to examine the Army without incurring an obligation. Charles Hon, a junior criminology major, successfully completed this five-week training program. He is the son of Charles and Corazon Hon of Wilton, Conn.

Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT) allows cadets to perform the duties of a junior officer in the active Army. The cadet experiences a wide variety of tactical and garrison duties during a four-week period at an active duty post. Steven Purdy, noted above, attended CTLT at Fort Hood, Texas.

Two cadets completed airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga. this summer. David White and Daniel Bair earned their airborne wings by exiting a high performance aircraft at 1200 feet above the ground on five different occasions. White, a sophomore business administration major, is the son of Hubert and Cynthia White of Kingston, Jamaica. Bair is a junior criminology major and son of Robert and Suzanne Bair of Jeannette, Pa. 


About Florida Southern College

Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 38 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 24 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelors. Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

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