By P. KELLY SMITH
BYU's Army ROTC ended their semester of classwork, physical training and competition on a lighter note.
The cadets met in the Varsity Theater Tuesday afternoon for their closing social and appointment of next year's new battalion staff.
Eighteen new cadets will be commissioned, seven of them are seniors in the ROTC.
Col. Jack Sullivan, professor of military science, commended the cadets for their hard work and presence on campus.
'You all have had the opportunity to learn everything about leadership,' he said. 'I applaud all of you for your strengths, contributions and friendships formed here. I would hope you would continue that image and reputation we've created.'
Sullivan encouraged the cadets to keep up with their studies and attend their other classes, not related to military science.
'You don't get a commission in the Unites States Army, unless you graduate,' Sullivan said.
Sullivan said BYU's Army ROTC is one of the top ROTC programs in the United States. 'We're easily eighth best in the country,' he said.
Sullivan then urged cadets to continue the high level of recognition that they had established for themselves.
The cadets followed this advice by appointing the 1998 battalion staff.
Cadet Mike Sedgwick, a senior from Kaysville majoring in international relations, was appointed to the position of battalion commander. Other appointments were made with each cadet standing in recognition of his new position.
Awards were then presented for basic camp completion, color guard participation and physical training fitness.
Two cadets praised the Army ROTC for their Ranger Challenge and leadership activities.
'I joined the ROTC for the Ranger Challenge. It was awesome this year,' said Ann Kellen, a junior from Juneau, Ala., majoring in travel and tourism.
Kellen's praises of the ROTC were so convincing, her younger sister, Katherine joined this year.
'Our dad was in the Marine Corps and we grew up playing military kinds of games, so it wasn't a difficult decision to join,' said Katherine Kellen, a freshman from Juneau, Ala., majoring in chemistry.
'It actually brought back a lot of good memories,' Katherine said.