Whitworth University meets young leaders

WHY WHITWORTH program offers students learning opportunity

University holds military training event for potential ROTC students

By David Sutton

SPECIAL TO VETERANS CHRONICLE

Whitworth University turned into a military/mock training facility the weekend of Oct. 21-22 with emphasis on recruitment.

High school juniors and seniors who came from cities in Washington, Idaho, and as far away as Virginia joined the Whitworth Department for Military and Veteran Recruitment to experience a taste of military and college life.

Recruiting teams from the United States Marine Corps, the Washington Army National Guard, and the Washington Air National Guard met students and assisted them in making decisions concerning the future.

Each military branch offered information about their service group, gave tests, and finished surveys before jumping into the mock training. The young men and women competed in physical training, field exercises and first aid instruction. Field exercises and classroom information unique to each service branch were given before all the services kept the program active with sports-related endurance activities

The WHY WHITWORTH program appeared for the first time at a major university in Eastern Washington. Several other schools across the United States offer the WHY program as part of their recruitment efforts. "We brought the WHY WHITWORTH program here in order to offer students a chance to learn about our university and see how they can receive a firstclass education while serving their country in the military at the same time," said Phil Labrie, Whitworth’s associate director of military and veteran recruitment. "It's never been at Whitworth before, and we think it will be a tremendous advantage for the high school juniors and seniors as they plan their futures.”

Students met for a guided tour of the campus, including classrooms and living areas. By accepting the invitation to sit in a regular college classroom the high schoolers got a taste of what it's like to "be in college."

They were invited to ask questions and comments. Later a panel of professors and students presented more academic information where the visitors could ask more questions. "The overall plan for the first day was to give the students a chance to get the feel of college life," said Labrie.

He also emphasized the importance of studying at a university that is a highly-recognized leader in academics. "Plus, we offer military programs where they can actually participate and be pro-active in their plans for military service," he added.

The second day was dedicated to participation in almost every phase of military service. It included physical activities and educational training mixed with instruction and examples of military intelligence. Cadets and recruiters assisted in the activities, providing details of each branches' unique Officer Training programs.

As the training continued everyone got to "taste" the reality of the military by eating MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) for lunch. One retired veteran commented, "We used to call them C-rations!"

The general evaluation of the MREs by diners was that they were "really good." But MREs are different than the field rations available during the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam eras. Today the MREs come in vegan, vegetarians and with various dietary needs. "No more cigarettes, gum or other specialty items like we had,” one veteran shared.

Everyone laughed and agreed that the MREs and the C-Rations were tasty and nutritious.

In the afternoon competition the high schoolers vied for points. The winner received a $1,000 scholarship from Whitworth if he enrolled in both programs.

Mead High School student Josh Morrison was the overall winner in the competition. The competition consisted of individuals and team efforts in physical events, "puzzle solving," and leadership skills.

One leadership exercise challenged the young students to complete a project where only equipment was provided. The object of the exercise (without telling anyone) was to see how a leader would emerge. Would one member of the team rise up and lead or would the team elect a leader?

Recruiters have reported that leadership skills are an important element at all levels in every military branch.

Phil Labrie came to Whitworth as a United States Air Force veteran. He brought skills that would assist in the development of the Department of Military and Veteran Recruitment at Whitworth. He also attended and studied at the FBI Academy at Quantico, Va., where he participated and learned law enforcement skills with the FBI and Officer Training with the Marine Corps.

He served in local law enforcement after leaving a career as an accountant. "My dream is to bring full-time recruitment personnel to Whitworth University," he said. "I think it would be beneficial for young people (men and women) all over Washington and the surrounding states to know they can get a first-class education while serving their country at the same time."

Visitation scholarships ($1,000) were offered to those who registered for the day. Additional $1,000 scholarships were offered to those who chose to

COURTESY PHOTO

Left to right, Sarah Hildahl, homeschool senior; Benjamin Ashworth SFC Army National Guard; Josh Morrison, Mead high school senior; and Ryan Legg, Fishburne Military School senior, work on providing mock first aid to Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Mario Garcia.

register to attend Whitworth and join the ROTC program.

Educational opportunities and military training are available to all veterans at Whitworth University.

Labrie noted that many enlisted veterans have used or are using their GI Bill benefits to get an education and enroll in ROTC to re-enlist and serve as an officer. He said several military retirees use the GI Bill benefits at Whitworth to begin a second career. Children of military veterans are now eligible to use their parents' GI Bill benefits.

For more information on veteran opportunities at Whitworth contact: Phil Labrie at plabrie@ whitworth.edu or call (509) 7773302. Dr. David Sutton is a U.S. Army veteran and freelance writer. He served as a Military Journalist on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief Pacific in the Vietnam era. He is retired and lives in Spokane, with his wife, Vickie.