Students First, Cadets Second, Successful Always

Cadet Michael Kukesh

MS-III

My name is Michael Kukesh. I was born and raised in Exeter, New Hampshire and I am currently a junior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. I am majoring in Civil Engineering at RPI and am also a member of the varsity football team. Academics and athletics are two things that are very important to me. I take pride in being able to compete in a NCAA sport while also maintain a GPA high enough to be recognized on the Dean’s List.

Choosing to enter into the ROTC program has been one of the best decision have I ever made. The relationships and the opportunities that come with joining such a program are extraordinary. During my tenure as a Cadet I have been given the opportunity to attend the US Army All-American Football Bowl Game in San Antonio, Texas where I helped run the National Combine for college recruits. I also attended the Sabalauski Air Assault School this past summer where I was able to rappel out of a Blackhawk helicopter. I have enjoyed my time as a member of the Mohawk Battlion and look forward to being commissioned as an Army Officer in the future.

Cadet Andrew LaVallie

MS-III

My name is Andrew LaVallie and I grew up in Upstate NY, Ticonderoga. I am currently a 1st year graduate student in the Secondary Education Program for History at the University at Albany.  I besides my studies at the University, I played Rugby and was nominated Captain for one year.   That same year I was selected and played for the NYS Rugby All-Star team as a starting lock.  Besides playing a sport, I am also a British reenactor of the French and Indian War (Grenadier in the 1st Royal Regiment of Foote, Grenadier Company) and the American War for Independence (Private in His Majesties 22nd Regiment of Foote, Colonel’s Company).

In ROTC, I have participated in many different extra events.  I am currently a CRI (Cadet Ranger Instructor) for the Mohawk Battalion’s Ranger Company.  I also was a member of the winning Ranger Challenge Team in the fall of 2009.  The last summer I made the journey to Fort Knox, KY to take part in LTC (Leadership Training Course) where I was instructed by Drill Sergents and Officers in the ways to becoming a future Officer in the United States Army.  After that training I have been looking for more and more training to put myself through to become a better person and better Cadet.

Cadet Michelle Cody

MS-II

My name is Michelle Cody and I am from Billerica, Massachusetts. I am currently a sophomore at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. I am studying to earn a degree in Industrial and Management Engineering with a minor in Psychology.  I am a member of the Society of Women Engineers at my school. I am also in the process of starting a co-ed service fraternity at RPI with my friends. I ran varsity cross country and track as a freshman and I am an Army ROTC cadet.

I am currently in my MSII year. Throughout my time in ROTC, I have participated in various color guard events. Also, this past fall I was a member of the Mohawk Battalion Ranger Challenge team. We were the Brigade and Division champions in the competition at Fort Devens in Massachusetts. Currently, I am training to graduate from Ranger Company, which consists of tactical training throughout the spring semester. For this coming summer, I hope to go to Air Assault or Airborne school.

ROTC has taught me a lot about myself. It has helped me create goals for myself and it has given me the motivation I need to reach them. I have met some of my best friends through ROTC because of the sense of belonging and camaraderie I feel towards my school and my company. Joining ROTC was one of the best decisions of my life so far. Not only will I have one of the most exciting careers imaginable when I graduate, I will be serving my country as an officer.

Cadet Patrick Cunningham

MS-II

My name is Patrick Cunningham, and I am currently a Sophomore at Siena College. A resident of Middletown, New York, and Cadet in the Army ROTC program, which I have found to be a powerful catalyst in my personal development. Since having been in the ROTC program at Siena, nearly every aspect of my life has improved. With a heavy emphasis on academic excellence, ROTC has ignited within me a desire to not merely to learn, but also to master material. Because of this fortified discipline, I have maintained a 3.62 GPA overall, with a 4.0 in Psychology, my major. Furthermore, once I am a junior, I aim to join Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology. I have also grown physically stronger since my enrollment, cleaned up my diet, and have become more athletic – enabling me to help my team win the Intramural Soccer Championships this past fall. ROTC has broadened my social connections as well – I have met many talented and unforgettable individuals both through my participation in the standard program and through Ranger Company and Ranger Challenge: Army ROTC’s hands-on, tactical learning augmentation and the ROTC equivalent of a varsity sport. ROTC has also spurred my initiative to become more active at Siena as well, and as such, I have played both Intramural Soccer and Volleyball, have taken part in the History club, Outing club, Men’s Spirituality Group, and have served the homeless through the Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy. I also give tours of the campus and promote Siena as part of the Ambassadors program here on campus, which works in conjunction with the Admissions office.

ROTC has made real dreams I never thought possible. Coming from a financially modest household, ROTC pays for my tuition, while scholarships I have earned pay for room and board. Add to that a stipend, and I essentially get paid to get a college education. On the day I commission, I will be the first male of my family to graduate from college, and will be the first member of my family to ever become an officer in the U.S. Army. ROTC has enabled me to join the elite group of individuals who fight for freedom, known to many as soldiers and to some as heroes. When you think about it, life in itself is lethal. Army ROTC allows me to make every second count.

Cadet Shaun Looney

MS-II

My name is Shaun Looney and I am a sophomore at Siena College.  I was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, but currently live in Buffalo, New York.  I have two younger brothers, one of whom is in his senior year of high school and is striving to earn an ROTC scholarship.

During my fall semester I was a member of the Ranger Challenge team.  I had been on many sport’s teams throughout my life, but none like our Ranger Challenge team.  My teammates were of the highest caliber and each member played crucial roles.  Our team displayed this best during the ruck-march event.  During that event we passed numerous other teams due to our desire to be the best.

The season culminated with us winning the competition, but the victory had been sealed each morning during our training.  This was evident in the fact that we did not place first in any event.  Our success was based upon extreme proficiency in every event.  We had few weaknesses because we were so well rounded.  With the guidance of our dedicated cadre we set ourselves apart from all the others within our brigade.

Cadet Danielle Zsido

MS-II

My name is Danielle Zsido. I am from Cornwall, NY, and am currently in my second year at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. At ACPHS, I stay busy with my studies and I’m an active member of the Student Government Association.

In ROTC, I have participated in Ranger Challenge and am currently a member of Ranger Company. Both of these activities push me to my limits physically and mentally, and help me become a stronger cadet. The leadership and team building skills that I have learned in both programs extend beyond ROTC, and contribute significantly to my professional development. ROTC has also offered me an opportunity to participate in a specialized pharmacy internship through the Army Science Board in Fort Sam Houston.

Participating in ROTC immerses me in a completely different atmosphere than the one I engage in at ACPHS, where I can take advantage of lessons in leadership that I would never get an opportunity to experience in the classroom. Even though I do not attend the same college as any of the other cadets in the Mohawk Battalion, the camaraderie that holds all the cadets together from our respective schools is incredibly impressive and motivating. I truly look forward to being commissioned as an Army Pharmacist.