The Pitt State ROTC Gorilla Battalion has grown from 83 Cadets in 2010 to 102 as of January 2012. There are currently 42 Cadets that receive full tuition scholarships from the Army in a Cadet battalion that boasts a 95% job placement rate at a starting salary of over $54,000 as an active duty Second Lieutenant. With an annual mission to produce 13 Officers for the Army, Pitt State has commissioned 1196 Army officers over the past 59 years. Former Cadets have gone on to all branches of the Army, and whether they only serve a few years or go on to become career officers, these alumni continue to make the Pitt State Gorilla Battalion proud to have been a part of their lives. RESPECT IS EARNED!
Cadet Battalion Chain of Command
Battalion Commander CDT LTC Fitch
The Battalion Commander (BC) is directly responsible for the operations of the Gorilla Battalion. The BC approves and oversees all Battalion operations and reports directly to the Professor of Military Science. Along with the Battalion Executive Officer and the Command Sergeant Major the BC guides the Battalion towards success. The BC leads from the front by being the highest ranking cadet officer and setting the example for the rest of the cadet battalion.
Executive Officer CDT MAJ Myers
The XO helps the commander prepare subordinate units for future employment. The XO monitors their readiness status and directs actions to posture subordinate units. Under special conditions or missions, the commander may give the XO temporary command of a portion of the force. Examples of these situations include deployments, retrograde operations, and obstacle crossings, and when the commander is unable to command.
Command Sergeant Major CDT CSM Rivard
The Command Sergeant Major is the principal advisor to the commander on the state of morale, discipline, and training of cadets within the battalion. Works with battalion to ensure that: -correct information about training, special events, etc. is passed up and down the chain of command. -cadets improve their professional appearance both in uniform and of ROTC facilities and equipment. Along with the commander the CSM is an example to be followed.
S1 CDT CPT West
The S1 is the primary staff officer responsible for all the matter concerning human resource management at the battalion level. The S1 records attendance for battalion events and keeps track of all personal qualifications of individual cadets.
S2 CDT CPT Powers
The S2 is the principal staff officer responsible for all matters concerning enemy threat level. Since the threat of enemy action in ROTC is minimal the S2 works to make sure battalion training is realistic as possible. Providing training aids such as fake improvised explosive devices and enemy weapon systems along with make sure that cadets participating as the Opposing Force are playing their roles effectively.
S3 CDT MAJ Parks
The S3 is the principal staff officer responsible for all matters concerning training, operations, and plans. The S3 develops Operations Orders every 2 weeks that are issued to the battalion detailing operations to occur. The S3 also issues Operations Orders for each individual training event conducted by the Battalion. The S3 is assigned assistance to facilitate this process and a member of the S3 shop will personally oversee all battalion operations.
S4 CDT CPT Beyene
The S4 is the principle staff officer responsible for all matters of logistics and services. The cadet S4 works closely with the Cadre S4 to ensure that all cadets are properly equipt to conduct training. The S4 also oversees the issue of sensitive items such as weapons system and training aids during training events. The S4 is also responsible for overseeing the cadet fund and reporting the buget during staff meetings.
S5 CDT CPT Thomas
The S5 is the principal staff officer for all matters concerning civil-military operations. The S5 works closely with other campus organizations and student government to ensure all battalion operations run smoothly. The S5 also acts and a liaison to other campus organizations that ROTC works with for the betterment of the community.
S6 CDT CPT Matthews
The S6 is the principal officer for all matters of command, control, communications, and computer operations. The S6 oversees the cadet computer lab, and is responsible for maintaining the cadet Face book page. The S6 is responsible for maintaining and issuing radios for training events, and ensuring information on battalion operations is sent via electronic means to the battalion.