Florida Tech ROTC Cadets Are Number One in Regional Challenge

– Florida Tech’s Army ROTC cadets displayed their technical, tactical and leadership skills to finish first in their geographical region at the annual
National Advanced Leadership Camp (NALC) in Ft. Lewis, Wash. The university’s performance placed it number one among the 21 schools in the Georgia-Florida
region that offer Army ROTC. This success put Florida Tech in the top 10 percent, nationally, of 270 participating schools.

The NALC is the most important block of training in the career of the Army cadet. Often the cadet’s first exposure to the active army, NALC is designed to
challenge cadets, physically, mentally and emotionally for 32 days. Events test cadets’ physical fitness, rifle marksmanship, land navigation and water
survival skills. They are also evaluated on their leadership skills.

Florida Tech sent 18 cadets who were primarily rising seniors with the exception of one July graduate and one graduate student. These included Brian
Wilkins of Rockledge and John Rich or Melbourne. Upon completion of NALC, many of the students were awarded highly competitive military internships.

“The exceptional performance of these cadets is a testament to their outstanding academic excellence. They are certainly preparing themselves for the
challenges and responsibilities they will encounter as junior officers in the Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard, said Lt. Col. Thomas Tate,
professor and director of the university’s military science program.