The UAM team, combined with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, formed what is called the “Golden Lion” Battalion. Hunter Gillum, Randy Moore, Adam Herring, Stephen McClellan and Jacob James competed from UAM. Three more students, selected from UAPB, completed the nine-member team.

    Eligibility for competition required the nine highest physical training scores from ROTC. A nine-person team has been selected from each competing school.

    The Golden Lion Battalion vied against the University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas State University and University of Arkansas in nine events which included patrolling tests, a physical training hand grenade assault course, a land navigation test, land navigation course, sand bag relay, one Rope Bridge, 10 kilometer road march and an M-16 rifle assemble and disassemble.

    The winning team received a Ranger challenge patch.

    With only two years on the UAM campus the Military Science Department has tripled in numbers. A total of 27 students are in the ROTC program. Lt. Col. Vincent Telfare and Master Sgt. Horne hold the two teaching positions at UAM.

    “Our increase in students is partially due to the Patriotism found in this area and the full school support this program has received,” Horne said.

    When taking the ROTC class a student doesn’t participate directly in the army. The class simply teaches leadership skills.

    “My goal is to build the program here at UAM (to the size that) we can have a permanent staff located on the school grounds. In order to do that we need to graduate and commission at least ten students,” Horne said.

    The ROTC class offers a variety of opportunities; one is the opportunity to get in shape. There is a military type workout open to anyone every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6 a.m. There is also a swimming lab offered, allowing students to train for water survival.

    “In the first lab there were numerous people who could not swim or even float, now three months later, if they were to fall into the water not only could they float but most would be able to swim to a safe area,” Horne said.

    Often students hear “ROTC” and think they have to be in the army or they have to be a natural athlete to succeed. Horne mentioned one particular success story that may change student’s minds.

    “One cadet came to me at the first of the year and wanted to take the class. I told him everyone could take and participate in the class, but to commission in the Army as an officer he would have to pass the physical fitness test and height and weight requirements,” Horne said.

    To some this would be easy, but for this young man, who weighed in at 283 pounds, it would be much harder. He was, by far, not the best athlete.

   “Since being in our program he has lost 30 pounds. And on his first (physical training) test, he could not run a full two miles, now his time is getting faster and faster. He has the heart of a lion.

   “ROTC is the best leadership class you can take,” Horne said.

   One student described the ROTC class.