BAUMHOLDER, Germany - This past summer, the Network Enterprise Technology Command’s (NETCOM)s, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced (ESB-E), hosted cadets from all over the United States as part of the Army’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT).
The CTLT track provides Cadets the opportunity to experience leadership in Army Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E) units over a three-to-four-week period. Cadets serve in lieutenant-level leadership positions in active-duty units.
Thus, within the CTLT program, Platoon Leader positions have a three-to-four-week duration depending on the hosting unit and location. Assignments include units that are located within the Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside Continental United States (OCONUS). Cadets are assigned a unit mentor and are provided on-post lodging and meals via a Dining Facility. This program is exclusively designed for Military Science (MS) III Cadets before and after completion of ROTC Advanced Camp.
The cadets temporarily assigned to the 44th ESB-E this summer were able to participate and learn from knowledgeable mentors and implement new skills within a real active-duty signal unit environment.
Cadet Geoffrey Gersaniba from the University of Guam, who shadowed 1st Lt. Matthew DiBiase, 2nd Platoon Leader, A Company, 44th ESB-E, for the CTLT program had this to say about his experiences.
“I’ve had a great time here with the 44th ESB-E. My sponsor Lt. DiBiase taught me lots of things to expand my knowledge related to my future career as an Army Officer. I also got the chance to meet great NCOs like Staff Sgt. Contrell Gilford and Sergeant 1st Class Jason Dyer, who helped me understand the relationship between a Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant,” Gersaniba said.
“It was incredible to see the Signal Branch operate and how their actions impacted real world events. Lastly, I appreciated the opportunity to travel Europe and experience new cultures.”
Cadet Gersaniba hopes to branch Cyber or Signal upon commissioning.
Each cadet often had their own distinct personal views of their CTLT experiences too.
Cadet Shane Purner, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who shadowed 1st Lt. Kendal Karstens, 1st Platoon Leader was just happy to be overseas and amazed at how Signal units operate.
"This entire CTLT experience has been a unique opportunity in itself being in an OCONUS unit. Getting to shadow a Platoon Leader in Germany and being able to travel around Europe in my time off has been amazing,” Purner said.
“However, I think the most unique thing about doing CTLT with the 44th has been learning firsthand how a small signal unit can have such an important role in supporting American forces and our allies during real world operations all across Europe," Purner said.
Other cadets were just delighted to see how a Platoon Leader functions.
Cadet Ashley Bredehoeft from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, who shadowed 1st Lt. Emma Waldron, 1st Platoon Leader, B Co., 44th ESB-E, had the opportunity to experience the day-to-day life of a Lieutenant and participate in training with 44th Soldiers.
"My sponsor, 1st Lt. Emma Waldron, has taught me a lot about the importance of maintaining relationships and being organized as a Platoon Leader,” Bredehoeft said.
“I have been able to see how easily Lieutenants get pulled in different directions and how that organization and trust within a Platoon makes things run more smoothly."
Although not all of the CTLT cadets are hoping to be branched Signal, the officers, warrant officers noncommissioned officers and Soldiers of the 44th ESB-E offered the cadets an experience of a lifetime.
Cadet Jorge Aparicio, from the University of Puerto Rico who shadowed, 1st Lt. Travis Coli, 1st Platoon Leader, A Co., 44th ESB-E, said this about his mentor.
"Lt. Coli has taught me about planning for missions, risk assessments, property forms and how to read and use them, and how to work with maintenance systems. He has also given me advice on what to expect. I also learned lot from talking with different Lt’s, NCOs, Warrant Officers, and enlisted personnel."
Cadet Aparicio hopes to branch Quartermaster upon commissioning.
For those interested in ROTC and or CTLT, Cadet Alyssa Hagen of University of New Haven offers this guidance.
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"My advice for someone wanting to join ROTC is to keep an open mind, there are so many options and opportunities that the Army can offer you after you commission that there is something for everyone.”
“Being able to get an overseas CTLT slot has given the me opportunity to explore a new country and see how being stationed out of the United States affects your experience as an officer," said Hagen.
Cadet Hagen plans to enter the Military Intelligence career field upon commissioning.
At the conclusion of the CTLT program the 44th ESB team farewelled the cadets during a brief ceremony at the battalion's headquarters in Baumholder, Germany.
“Cadets, we are proud to have hosted future leaders of the Army and wish you all the best of luck with the branching and commissioning process,” Lt. Col. Jeffrey Keenan, 44th ESB-E Commander, said.
Today the importance of cadet training within the ranks of the Signal Corps remains a staple of the regiment’s 100-plus-year legacy of supporting the Army and its ROTC programs throughout the United States.
In a recent Armed Forces Communications Association, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) event, U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER) Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Maria B. Barrett, commented on the critical impact ROTC has on talent management within the signal and cyber communities.
“From a management standpoint, the talent pipeline, I can’t stress enough, is absolutely vital to the success of this mission,” Gen. Barrett told the audience on August 17 at AFCEA’s TechNet Augusta event.
“Where does that pipeline start for Army Cyber? It starts at JROTC. We cannot rely on the traditional recruiting models to fill this pipeline for us,” Barrett said.
“So, we put some emphasis on JROTC and cyber pilot programs, helping to increase the cyber culture in the next generation of our leaders, and if those cadets eventually come into the Army, that's awesome.”
“And if they go in a different direction, I'm okay with that too because having cyber savvy individuals, who go on to government and serve in our local communities or even go out to Industry is still vital to this nation,” Barrett said.
For more information on NETCOM, please visit: https://www.army.mil/netcom
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