Anywhere you go in the Army, there's a Mountaineer making an impact. That spirit is alive and well in Fairbanks, Alaska, where three App ROTC alumni are serving with distinction in the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. MAJ Jacob Smith (Class of 2014), 1LT Jack Csicsila (Class of 2023), and 1LT Nicolas Ruiz (Class of 2023) continue to demonstrate what it means to serve and lead with excellence in one of the Army's most demanding environments.
This summer has also been a season of achievement for our Cadets. Cadet Sage Duggin earned her Air Assault Wings at Fort Campbell after completing ROTC Advanced Camp at Fort Knox and immediately reporting for training. Air Assault School equips Soldiers with the skills needed to conduct air assault operations, sling-load tasks, and rappelling—critical capabilities for maximizing helicopter assets in training and combat.
At Fort Knox, Cadets Brown and Watkins graduated from ROTC Advanced Camp, marking continued progress through a busy summer training cycle. Cadet Brown distinguished himself further by earning the AUSA Leadership Excellence Award for outstanding performance and leadership potential. With four regiments complete and nine App ROTC Cadets still to go, our Mountaineers are representing the program with pride.
In addition to the 20 Cadets attending Advanced Camp, six Cadets are participating in ROTC Basic Camp at Fort Knox. Cadets Annalise Slough and Billy Quinlan, along with recent graduate 2LT Chloe Lemos, have been training at the Forest Hills Climbing Complex as part of their summer development.
The first ROTC Advanced Camp regiment is officially complete, and the first two App ROTC Cadets—Cadets Duggin and Nelson—have graduated, with 18 more to follow. Their graduation was celebrated alongside LTC Jones (Professor of Military Science), 2LT Marsh (recently commissioned and serving as a Camp Lieutenant), and MSG Sinnott (Senior Military Instructor). Their accomplishments highlight the dedication, resilience, and leadership that define App ROTC.
About the Department of Military Science and Leadership
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Appalachian's Department of Military Science and Leadership is home to the Mountaineer Battalion. Established in 1969, the program provides students with training to develop self-discipline, physical stamina and poise, as well as the organizational and motivational skills that contribute to success in any career. Students who complete the ROTC program earn credits for a minor in military science and leadership and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves or Army National Guard upon graduation. Learn more at https://rotc.appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online.
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