Cadet Of The Week : Maureen Burns

By Ms. Catrina DubianskyFebruary 11, 2020

Cadet Burns in action on the softball field
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2019 3rd BDE Ranger Challenge Winning Team
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Name: Maureen Burns

School: College of St. Benedict, St. John's University

Hometown: Saint Louis Park, MN

Major/Minor: Nursing, Political Science

From day one in the battalion, Cadet Maureen Burns has espoused the values and traditions of the Fighting Saints. Her spirit of volunteerism, esprit de corps, and willingness to learn leadership attributes and competencies has set her apart from her peers.

As a Division III athlete, she started 22 games for the College of St. Benedict's women's softball team, seeing playing time in 31 games. As a scholar, she has a 3.93 GPA and was selected as a 2018-2019 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar Athlete. Her hard work and devotion on the field and in the classroom is translated into her work in ROTC. She earned a spot on the Ranger Challenge team as a Freshman, and helped the team take 1st place at this year's Brigade level challenge - setting them up to compete at the U. S. Military Academy's Sandhurst Military Skills competition. She embodies the warrior ethos and Army values in her everyday life and in her ROTC career.

Cadet Burns has upheld these traditions with the absolute confidence and fidelity of a seasoned leader in the Army. Her hard work and devotion has been on displaysince arriving on campus, while her tactical expertise continues to grow due to her inquisitive mind and constant desire to learn more about her duties and responsibilities as a future Lieutenant.

With motivation and a team player mentality Cadet Burns has become a strong asset that the rest of the MSIIs have come to rely on as she has quickly risen to the top of her class in nearly every area. We are fortunate to have Cadet Burns on our team.

In The Cadet's Own Words:

I joined Army ROTC because I wanted to be an army nurse. This was, in my eyes, the best way to be a part of something bigger than myself and to have an amazing opportunity to help others.

I have always had an immense respect for all people who serve, and to be able to join something that is dedicated to service really appealed to me. I also love being around people who like to be active, so that was also a plus.

Good leaders inspire me to lead. When I see how good leaders motivate, connect with, and challenge the people they're leading, this inspires me and makes me want to be that type of leader for others.

Awards & Achievements:

-2018 Winner of Task Force Ripley Ranger Challenge 5-Person Team

-2019 Winner of Task Force Ripley Ranger Challenge 9-Person Team

-2018 Winner of 3rd Brigade Ranger Challenge 5-Person Team

-2019 Winner of 3rd Brigade Ranger Challenge 9-Person team

-Winner of Northern Warfare Challenge 2019

-Graduate of Airborne School

-3.93 GPA

-Selected as a 2018-2019 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar Athlete

-Selected to 1st Team All Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) as a freshman -Competes on the CBS Varsity Softball team

-Named CSB Athlete of the Week 2019