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    Lt. Col. Rozelle addresses Korea Military Academy cadets

    Lt. Col. Rozelle addresses Korea Military Academy cadets

    Photo By Lauren Harrah | Lt. Col. David M. Rozelle, commander of 1st Battalion, 72nd Armor Regiment, 1st...... read more read more

    SEOUL, South Korea – Lt. Col. David M. Rozelle, commander of 1st Battalion, 72nd Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division shared his experience overcoming adversity to Korea Military Academy cadets in the English department during a world affairs and security summit in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 13.

    Despite losing his right leg in 2003 during combat operations in Iraq, Rozelle overcame his injury and proudly went back to action one year later as a cavalry troop commander.

    “Although unique in some way, I’m no different than any other Army officer,” said Rozelle explaining his career progression from a young cadet.

    From a strong military bloodline, Rozelle said he was very proud to be a cadet and of his ability to serve his country. Rozelle began as a tank platoon leader and later moved on to become a mortar platoon leader, tank company executive officer, logistics officer, and has held a variety of other assignments throughout his career, including work at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Pentagon. He has also briefed the President in Washington D.C. Rozelle explained that being an Army officer is a “lifelong learning career” and commitment to leading soldiers.

    “A leader is measured not by what he has done but by how he reacts to the things that happen to him,” said Rozelle.

    Listening to veterans share their experiences and injuries upon returning from the battlefield, Rozelle often questioned what the next step would be for his fellow warriors. However when faced with his own defining moment, Rozelle said his answer was clear. He wanted to return to the fight.

    Personally challenged by former United States President George W. Bush, Rozelle worked diligently adjusting to life with his new prosthesis. Rozelle, previously active in both rugby and football, used his athleticism to motivate his recovery and eventually competed in marathons and triathalons.

    “There’s no marathon like going back to combat,” he said. “That Ironman only prepared me to be an iron major.”

    After returning to command, Rozelle led 3rd Cavalry Regiment troops back into battle in Tal Afar, Iraq and made history by becoming the first commander since the Civil War to return to the same battlefield where he sustained his amputation. The last thing he wanted to do was give up, a strong message he wanted to convey to the young cadets as they move forward in their military careers.

    “Everyone in this room is going to be knocked down by something,” said Rozelle. “I hope it’s not this. All of you are going to withstand some horrible event in your life, but how you react to that is what defines you as a man or woman. You have to be able to stand back up and continue to fight, whether in combat or whether it’s in your own life. This was the lesson that I learned.”

    He shared this wisdom with the cadets and encouraged them to strive for excellence in all their future endeavors.

    “As you go out and leave this place, you have to be able to do great things,” said Rozelle. “Never be satisfied with just doing okay. Never be satisfied with just meeting the standard. Never be satisfied with just completing a task. Always try to be best.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.13.2014
    Date Posted: 11.14.2014 02:52
    Story ID: 147816
    Location: SEOUL, KR

    Web Views: 567
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN