Blue Mountain Battalion Celebrates 100 Years of ROTC at Gettysburg College
By Katie Lauriello, Contributing Writer
Gettysburg College members of the Blue Mountain Batallion (Photo provided)
On Feb. 25, the Dickinson Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), also known as the Blue Mountain Battalion (BMB), hosted their annual Military Ball at the Gettysburg Hotel. The Ball honored the senior class with a pinning ceremony and inducted two retired officers into the BMB Hall of Fame.
In addition to Dickinson College, the BMB also consists of Gettysburg College, Messiah University, Penn State Harrisburg and Franklin and Marshall College. At the event, at least 120 cadets and dates attended. From Gettysburg College, 15 cadets with their dates attended, along with President Bob Iuliano.
The ball celebrated 100 years of ROTC at Gettysburg. Cadet Aleksia Kulp ’23 helped to organize the event with the help of Dickinson College’s Assistant Professor of Military Science Captain Jennifer Le.
“The Gettysburg Hotel was chosen due to its location and the program’s history… the venue itself has a lot of interesting history and beauty (it used to be a bank, so the current ballroom still has the giant safe, yet renovated to further show the hotel’s history),” Kulp said. “This year is the 100th anniversary of ROTC at Gettysburg College, so what better than celebrating one of the programs in the school than having the Military Ball at its location in an equally historic venue?”
The event opened with Cadet Patrick Salazar giving the Cadet Battalion Commander opening remarks. The Invocation was then given by Le. Further opening remarks were made by Lieutenant Colonel and Dickinson College Professor of Military Science Kevin Krupski.
After presenting the school mottos, Cadet Daniel Hollenbaugh presented the Fallen Comrades Table and led a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers.
Senior cadets were then pinned according to their new branch assignment by Krupsi. Of the Gettysburg seniors, Cadet Jack Connolly ’23 was assigned to the Armor branch; Cadet Jared Diamond ’23 was assigned to the Infantry; Cadet Aleksia Kulp ’23 was assigned to Medical Service; Cadet Tayah Carey ’23 was assigned to the Quartermaster branch and Cadet Kendall Nehlig ’23 was assigned to the Signal branch.
After the pinning ceremony, the ball opened up to dinner and dancing.
“The venue allowed cadets from across the BMB to come together and grow a positive relationship with each other,” said Connolly.
Retired Major General Robert “Bob” Silverthorn Jr. and retired Major General Thomas R. Tempel Jr. ’87 were both inducted into the BMB Hall of Fame, recognizing the two as officers that have contributed significantly to the Dickinson College ROTC program.
Connolly appreciated the recognition that students received at the ball.
“For me [the ball] was specifically important because I had my branch’s pins put on. As a senior I am commissioning as a Second Lieutenant branched Armor the week after graduation, and the pins will remain on my uniform for the rest of my military career,” Connolly said.
Kulp shared a similar perspective on the importance of the event.
“The Ball is monumental since it aims to enhance the esprit de corps (feelings of pride, fellowship, and loyalty) of the cadets in our ROTC program (and the same for soldiers in other Army units),” said Kulp. “Additionally, it allows cadets to talk and mingle with other cadets they may not be able to see as much due to distances between our program’s schools; allows cadets to bring their friends, family, and dates and introduce them to something they are proud of to be a part; and allow for everyone to have a good time and learn some history.”
