Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

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SCABBARD AND BLADE His manner is confident, his conver- sation intelligent. His Army ROTC uniform is impeccable. The red and blue armband he wears means that he is a member of Scabbard and Blade, national honorary military society. J. Buechler, J. Compere, J. Cox, T. Cox, R. Russell, M. Denton. Lt. Col. John Buechler describes the society this way, When we want some- thing done right, we give it to Scabbard and Blade. They are the top cadets and they show it in everything they do. The purpose of the organization is threefold. First, it works to improve the standard of military education in colleges and universities. Cooperation between military departments in activities common to ROTC life is the second T. Forbes, R. Furgeson, L. Galindo, J. Gearheart, B. Hurley, R. Janek. J. Johnson, A. Kosta, R. Linnartz, M. McCarty, L. McWaters, J. Mc- Millan, L. Pfluger, J. Parsons. goal. The third objective is friendship and fellowship among cadet officers. Scabbard and Blade members develop recruitment and orientation programs. They conduct pre-camp briefings for juniors who attend ROTC summer camp. The group also sponsors social functions. The Army ROTC ' s first place float in the 1962 Homecoming parade was originated by Scabbard and Blade. J. Smith, J. Seymour, J. Unger, J. West. When Johnny Comes Marching Home was the theme. To be considered for membership, a cadet must have an overall B average. Selections are made on the basis of such qualities as leadership ability and interest in the military. The Tech society was organized in 1955. It is D company of the 11th regiment of the national society. Cadet officers are: captain, John Un- ger; 1st lieutenant, Tony Kosta; 2nd lieutenant, Joe Gearhart; 1st sergeant, John Compere. I SCABBARD BLADE SWEETHEART Miss Patricia Watkins I I 28 I ii

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TYRIAN RIFLES TOP ROW: Scott Allen, Wil- liam Allen. BOTTOM ROW: Henry Brown, Mike Cowart. Mary Ellen Olson Patsy Rohrdanz Probably attracting more envy than any other of the ROTC units on the Texas Tech campus is the Tyrian Rifle Drill Team. This division of the Army ROTC is easily recognizable by their proud gait as they move across the campus each Thursday in their smart uniforms with the symbolic silver and black citation cord on their left shoulders. Captain John P. Carey is in his first year as commander of the oufit. This being only their third year of existence the Tech Tyrian Rifles have shown remarkable progress in becoming known all over the Lubbock campus. Prestige and honor have come to be associated with this group and its aims. Unlike the other ROTC squads which meet only once a week, the Tyrian Rifles assemble five days a week in order that they may have greater development in the art of military science. It is no ' wonder that these students are looked upon as being among the potential leaders of the future. Among the duties of the Rifles is the ROW ONE: Thomas Cox, John Carey, Danal Dennison, Jerrell Evans, Jimmy Farris, Terry Forbes, Cecil Green, Louis Griffin, Douglas Hood, Thomas Huie. ROW TWO: James Little, Wayne Matthews, Kenneth Mc- Cormick, Charles Morgan, James Rekieta, Jimmy Ray, Joseph Robertson, Weldon Scar- brough, Tim Spann, Arthur Schaerdel. ROW THREE: James Thomas, Arthur Wills, Clif- ford White, Bruce, W ood, Tommy Watt, David Walker. maintenance of the mighty Howitzer which makes its presence known at all of the Tech football games played at Jones Stadium. The Tyrian Rifles also represents Tech in many parades and activities around the nation. That this group is widely known is evidenced by the fact that they have been invited to such far reaches as Chicago, Laredo, and the Mardi Gras in New Orleans to display their talents. Only an understandable lack of transportation facilities prevents this group from attending all of these activities. The sponsor of the unit, Captain Charles W. Brown, helps to see that all its members strive to develop themselves physically, mentally, and morally. The symbol of the Tyrian Rifles is the sword. Their strength is based on the will to do right. Honor is supposed to be placed at a level of higher impor- tance in the minds of the Rifles than such things as life and limb. 27

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AIR FORCE ROTC BY Cecil Green The idea is generally accepted that the leaders of tomorrow are the college students of today. This idea becomes more realistic when one investigates the opportunities offered by the Tech branch of the Air Force Reserve Officers ' Training Corps and its four-year training program. Throughout his four years in college, the AFROTC cadet undergoes an intense period of learning how to become a leader and a military man. In his first year, the cadet spends his time drilling, attending lectures, and studying the E epartment of Defense, military structure. Communism, and how the military forces combat Communism. In general, he gains his first insight into the workings and operations of the Air Force. The second year in AFROTC is spent learning more about the working tools of the modern airman of the future — missiles, aircraft, nuclear and conven- tional weapons, propulsion and naviga- tional systems, ionic and nuclear power systems, and, of course, space and some of the problems encountered there. These first two years introduce the cadet to the basic problems of air science. Before going into the advanced third and fourth years of the program, the cadet must pass several selective tests and physicals. Then, once accepted, the cadet signs a government contract to receive a commission upon graduation. In his third year, the cadet begins to train as a leader. In addition to earn- ing rank in the cadet corps, the cadet is expected to manage personnel, solve problems, and handle leadership posi- tions. Then, in the summer between the third and fourth year, advanced cadets attend a four-week summer camp on an airbase to gain more first-hand ex- .1.1 m 3 - V PV I ■MImMHI |MSU perience. Finally, in his fourth year, the cadet spends more time with the cadre officers — the regiilar Air Force officers sta- tioned at Tech — to specialize his inter- ests. If the cadet plans to become a pilot, he concentrates on weather and naviga- tion, and, if he will not enter pilot training, he will work with the cadet corps and personnel problems. In addition to the regular classroom activities of the AFROTC program, the cadet has the opportunities to take part in many aspects offered on campus. Freshman and sophomore students may participate in the Sabre Flight Drill Team; any and all cadets may work with the award-winning rifle team; and advanced cadets may join the Arnold Air Society to become better acquainted with Air Force life. Also, all cadets are taken out to nearby Reese Air Force Base and introduced to the pilot training program. In addition, many cadets are offered the opportunity to visit other bases to view planes and facilities. Then, for fun activities, the AFROTC has several field days with picnics and games and, the highlight of their social year, the Air Force Mili- tary Ball. Active on campus since the early 1950 ' s, the AFROTC has prepared hun- dreds of students yearly with a well- rounded background on Air Force life, but, officers are quick to point out, the college degrees and specialized job train- ing really make the good Air Force officer. All the Tech AFROTC can do, and does, is prepare men to be- come the leaders of the future. Arnold Air Society Officers THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW