Cadets enjoy evening out with West Point alumni

Photo By Sgt. Karl Williams | Col. Douglas Crissman, the commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division addresses West Point cadets and members of the Heart of Texas West Point Society at his residence, July 22. The cadets were invited by the commander to relax and talk with former West Point graduates and senior leaders.  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

07.22.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

By Capt. Harold Huff III

FORT HOOD, Texas — Col. Douglas Crissman, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, his wife Carolyn, as well as the Heart of Texas West Point Society, hosted a reception for the U.S. Military Academy cadets participating in the Cadet Troop Leading Training program, July 22.

The reception, held at the Crissman residence, presented the cadets an opportunity to relax and talk with former West Point graduates and senior leaders.

Crissman noted that the program gives cadets a feel for what life in the Army is like outside of the classroom.

“Going to West Point is a great experience, but it only allows you to see a certain way of doing things. CTLT allows cadets to experience the Army life outside the grey walls of West Point,” said 2nd Lt. Ashley Browne, the brigade’s preventive medicine officer from Natchez, Miss.

Browne, a 2009 graduate of West Point, along with other junior officers on post, are sponsoring some of the cadets enrolled in CTLT.

“I’ve been having a great time here at Fort Hood,” said Cadet Paul Bryant, a junior at West Point from Baltimore. “I’ve participated in unit PT, company briefings, [planning meetings] and most importantly, have been able to see the Army for what it really is outside of West Point.”

Cadet Anthony Ruizcalderon, of Miami, Fla., said his experience here has been truly rewarding.

“I’ve had the opportunity to fly in UH-60’s, trained on an Apache simulator and learned the mechanics and maintenance processes in keeping these systems operational,” he said.

When asked what his most valuable lesson learned here on Fort Hood was, Ruizcalderon replied, “I’ve learned that no matter what branch or specialty that an officer works in, being a competent and proficient officer comes first. Hence, officers must realize that their first priority is leading Soldiers.”

Ruizcalderon spoke very highly of Fort Hood as a whole.

“I actually want to return and be stationed here in 1st Cav,” said Ruizcalderon. “Besides the great Soldiers and unit traditions, Fort Hood is located in close proximity of Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, providing me with different places to visit over the weekends.”

This reception marks the last of three iterations of cadets to conduct CTLT on Fort Hood this year. The first West Point students arrived in June and the second consisted of ROTC cadets.

“This Heart of Texas West Point Society is dedicated to welcoming cadets from all commissioning sources to Fort Hood,” said West Point graduate James Rodgers, the president of HOTWPS. “We want all who come here to feel welcome so that when they are commissioned they come back to our family here in Central Texas.”

“In years past, we welcomed West Point Cadets and now we also welcome the ROTC cadets who come here for summer training for we are all one big Army. The experience of the training and camaraderie they enjoyed gave all a sense of fellowship unique in the Army,” said Rodgers.

The cadets are scheduled to return to New York, Aug. 7.

• Date Taken: 07.22.2010
• Date Posted: 08.05.2010 16:34
• Story ID: 54027
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US