CMCer Named ROTC
"Top Cadet" at Fort Lewis

Wesley Williamson '10 has been ranked the No. 1 cadet for his performance during ROTC training this summer at Fort Lewis, Wash. Williamson was presented with an award at regimental graduation ceremonies on July 19. The achievement places him among the top Army-ROTC cadets in the nation.
The 29-day training course, known as "Operation Warrior Forge," is Army ROTC's capstone training and assessment exercise. This summer, the exercise attracted more than 5,900 ROTC cadets, including some foreign-exchange cadets. Participants were tested on their physical stamina, endurance, ability to navigate difficult terrain, and team-building and leadership skills.
Successful completion of the training is a prerequisite to be commissioned as a U.S. Army lieutenant.
For Williamson, Warrior Forge served as a completion of training he has received in the ROTC program at CMC. The weekly classes cover such topics as rank structure, leadership theory, military tactics, map reading, and other practical skills. Cadets practice these skills at special training events throughout the school year.
"Each semester, we have a field training exercise, which is essentially a weekend where we continue to train and practicefrom land navigation to marksmanship to leadership," Williamson said. "This past year, as we prepared for the Leadership Development and Assessment Camp, (which essentially is our final' for everything we are supposed to know and do), the training increased."
At these events, Williamson and fellow cadets practiced marksmanship both on a simulator and on live ranges. They also practiced land navigation both during the day and at night.
In fall 2007, Williamson was a member of the ROTC Ranger Challenge team that finished first in exercises that took place at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. Williamson finished with the top individual fitness prize, scoring 380 points in a test consisting of two minutes of push-ups and sit-ups, and a two-mile run. Organizers reported that most participants finish with fewer than 300 points.
Williamson has participated in the Ranger Challenge since his freshman year, and last year served as team captain.
Two aspects of the training regimen proved particularly challenging for the rising senior: physical preparation and personal time-management skills.
"I was very involved in ROTC and training for camp this summer," he explained. "But I was also taking a full academic load during my junior year, with some very challenging classes. I operated almost entirely in sleep debt, and under high stress. It affected my physical training scores because I often chose schoolwork over my workouts."
Williamson believes growing up with a father in the Army Medical Service Corps has helped shape who he is today as a student at CMC. He names the Athenaeum and the Kravis Leadership Institute summer internship program at CMC as other formative influences.
"All of these experiences were necessary in my successful performance at school and at camp this summer," Williamson said.
"Leadership training at CMC certainly helps with leadership in the military," said Williamson. "Soldiers are more and more not just fighting battles, but also conducting diplomacy. The State Department does not have a large presence in major conflict zonessoldiers must interact with the people and create relationships. A broad knowledge base facilitates this."
Specifically, a class on Iran and Afghanistan (The Making of Modern Iran and Afghanistan, with assistant professor of history Arash Khazeni) helped Williamson better understand the current political situation in Afghanistan, as well as "mistakes we have made," he said.
After graduating, Williamson says he will pursue a career in Army Aviation, a highly competitive field in the military.
"I want to fly helicopters, and my good performance will help me earn this branch," he said.