[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATING GUAM'S ROTC PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to congratulate the 
University of Guam's (UOG) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) 
program upon their distinction as the best in the nation for mission 
accomplishment and quality. UOG's ROTC program, the Triton Warrior 
Battalion, was recently ranked number one out of 270 programs evaluated 
nationwide. This is a first for them, an achievement for a program 
smaller than many of its counterparts. This recognition makes our 
island very proud and is testament to the hard work of the cadets, 
cadre, and recruiters of the Triton Warrior Battalion.
  Since the founding of UOG's ROTC program in 1979, students have been 
well trained to become commissioned officers in both the active and 
reserve components of the U.S. Army. The program has commissioned some 
of Guam's finest men and women as officers and produced some of the 
Army's most exceptional leaders. In its 22 years, the program at UOG 
has commissioned over 240 Second Lieutenants, and this year they are 
expected to commission 20 more.
  The U.S. Army Cadet Command, the supervising headquarters for all 
ROTC battalions nationwide, annually assesses ROTC programs. A 
multitude of criteria is used to determine performance ranking. While 
enrollment, retention, basic camp attendance, commission and contract 
accomplishment are all part of the criteria, the most important factors 
contributing to the evaluation are commission and contract 
accomplishments.
  Commission accomplishment is based on the number of cadets 
commissioned in the course of a year. This year, UOG's ROTC program 
received a commission mission of ten, however, they surpassed that 
number by commissioning 20 officers. Next year, they have been tasked 
to commission 12 and it is expected that they will again exceed the 
tasked commission requirement by doubling the number of commissioned 
officers. In 2003, it is anticipated that the commission accomplishment 
will exceed the requirements three times over.
  UOG's ROTC program's contract accomplishment is the ability of the 
program to meet its fiscal year missions and goals for contracting 
cadets into the advanced course for juniors advancing toward senior 
status. While the contract mission for fiscal year 2002 is 20 cadets, 
UOG's ROTC program has exceeded expectations and contracted 34 cadets. 
Presently, UOG's ROTC program has 111 cadets enrolled, however they 
continue to witness an annual enrollment increase.
  During these difficult and trying times, the men and women of the 
Triton Warrior Battalion are to be commended. Together, they are an 
excellent example of the leadership, determination and courage needed 
to safeguard our freedoms and our democracy. My congratulations to all 
the cadets and instructors of UOG's ROTC program. May they continue to 
achieve success in the years to come.

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