Western Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Alton, IL)

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Coin Inducts New Members Four more COIN inductees finish their tests under the watchful eyes of Teramana, T. This is just one of many tests that would be members have to pass. Maag, E. and Teramana, T. wrestle in order to show both old and new members hand to hand combat. 26 Young, T. and Good show off the new 57mm recoilless

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but Some Have Fun!

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New Weapons The COIN or counter-insurgency club was initiated two years ago by Major Ashton M. Haynes who had just finished a tour of duty in Vietnam. He started this voluntary group as a training method to teach interested MT 3’s and 4’s the basics of unconventional warfare. His contact in Vietnam gave him invaluable aid in training the cadets. Maj. Haynes in his training courses has had his boys repel from the bluffs over the Missis- sippi River, attack the cadet corps while on bivouac, and just go out on special trips on their own. Each interested MT 3 or 4 must first pass a battery of physical examinations which weed out ones that are too weak to Morgan shows the operation of the 57mm. recoilless rifle to the other COIN members. keep up with the group. Once the eager cadets have made it through this stage they are ready for induction. The induction comes on the first COIN bivouac which probably includes repelling, patrols, and hiking. Once successfully through this ordeal the inductees become full fledged members of the “Blue Berets.” During the latter part of the year these guerillas give demonstrations for the rest of the cadet corps and for visiting officers, as at G.I., and for parents. This elite group is one of the many innova- tions brought to the school by the new Junior R.O.T.C. program. rifle that the military depart- ment acquired this year. 27