Senior Cadet Profiles
SENIOR CADET PROFILES - 2012-2013 ACADEMIC YEAR
CADET JOHN T. BAUMANN
HOMETOWN: Murphysboro, TN
MAJOR: History
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, PASSIONS: I like to watch football and MMA. I enjoy going to the shooting range and going paintballing.
WHY MOUNT UNION: I decided on the University of Mount Union because it wasn't very big and it was relatively close to some of my family.
WHY ARMY ROTC: I have always wanted to be in the Army, my senior year in high school I received a scholarship so I took up the offer. My dad and grandfather were also Army Officers so I wanted to follow what they had done.
ADVICE FOR NEW CADETS: Go to class and study...don't slack off on grades, make sure to always stay in shape and get involved in the ROTC program in as many ways as possible.
CADET KEVIN L. BENNETT
HOMETOWN: Marysville, OH/mcHenry, MD
MAJOR: Finance
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, PASSIONS: Dirt bikes, football, hanging out with friends
WHY MOUNT UNION: I was able to play football for the University of Mount Union. Mount Union also provided the opportunity to work in small groups and have one-on-one time with the instructors.
WHY ARMY ROTC: I chose to participate in ROTC for the chance to lead and serve my country. It will give me the opportunity to meet and work with the best that America has!
ADVICE FOR NEW CADETS: Listen and learn everything taught to you...and learn from those before you.
CADET KRISTEN M. CALO
HOMETOWN: Youngstown, OH
MAJOR: Nursing
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, PASSIONS: Racing motorcycles, four wheeling, studying, reading, and working as an emergency room nurse
WHY KENT: I chose Kent because they have one of the best Nursing programs in the country.
WHY ARMY ROTC: I have always wanted to join the Army. I walked in just to see what it was about, and loved it from day one. The cadre members work one-on-one with Cadets and are flexible with our schedules.
ADVICE FOR FUTURE CADETS: Do not slack off your freshman year with your GPA or physical fitness. These are two of the most important parts of becoming an officer that no one has control over but you.
CADET JON-DUEY GRISSOM
HOMETOWN: Elyria, OH
MAJOR: Technology
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, PASSIONS: I enjoy learning new things.
WHY KENT: Close to home, but far enough away, too. I also chose Kent because of the ROTC program.
WHY ARMY ROTC: Both my grandfather and my father were in the Army and wanted me to go in as an officer.
ADVICE FOR NEW CADETS: Try your best at everything you do and you will benefit.
CADET DAVID HERCHICK
HOMETOWN: Copley, OH
MAJOR: Criminal Justice
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, PASSIONS: Exercise, building and racing cars, golf, sports, photography, family and friends.
WHY KENT: I like the atmosphere and it is has the best program for my degree in the area.
WHY ARMY ROTC: As a prior service enlisted soldier, I wanted to use my experience to become an officer to set my future up for better success.
ADVICE FOR NEW CADETS: Come in motivated and ready to learn!
CADET BENJAMIN HORVATH
HOMETOWN: North Canton, OH
MAJOR: Criminal Justice
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, PASSIONS: Running, working out, rock climbing, camping, and traveling. I am a family guy, and I enjoy being with my friends and dogs.
WHY MOUNT UNION: I wanted a smaller school with faculty that I can work one-on-one with. While at Kent, I enjoy being part of a large and growing ROTC program.
WHY ARMY ROTC: I chose Army ROTC because I come from a military family. I have known since high school that I wanted to join the Army. I knew doing it could help pay for my tuition and jump start my career.
ADVICE FOR NEW CADETS: I would say get involved, stay in shape and stay focused in school. Take one day at a time and enjoy your college career.
CADET GREGORY MAYO
HOMETOWN: Cleveland, OH
MAJOR: Computer Information
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, PASSIONS: Shooting, riding my bike, and spending time with family and friends.
WHY KENT: I have always loved the atmosphere.
WHY ARMY ROTC: I chose ROTC because I want to give back to my community. In addition I can be a leader and show my little cousins there is more than just Cleveland...I can be a role model.
ADVICE FOR NEW CADETS: Stay motivated to learn and have fun learning...step up and take charge!
CADET JACOB RAFIDI
HOMETOWN: Louisville, OH
MAJOR: Finance
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, PASSIONS: Exercising, mountain biking, reading, investment planning, sports, traveling and spending time with my family.
WHY YOUNGSTOWN: It was an affordable school that had the major I wanted, and I heard it had a great program. I also like the idea of being near my family.
WHY ROTC: I have always wanted to join the military and I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself.
ADVICE FOR NEW CADETS: Never get discouraged when things get tough.
CADET MATTHEW RAY
HOMETOWN: Amsterdam, OH
MAJOR: History
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, PASSIONS: I am interested in hunting, paintball, soccer, riding four wheelers, and jogging. I love to hike and go on road trips. I am also very passionate about my fraternity, Phi Delta Theta.
WHY KENT: I love the campus as well as the ROTC program.
WHY ARMY ROTC: I have always wanted to serve my country and pay back what I have been given. I am a believer that there are people that must protect this country.
ADVICE FOR NEW CADETS: Pay attention and listen to older Cadets. Do well on your PT and grades and you will succeed in ROTC.
CADET JOHN L. RICHARDS
HOMETOWN: Rochester, NY
MAJOR: Political Science
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, PASSIONS: Skiing, fishing, hunting, boating, x-box and Dave Matthews.
WHY KENT: Far away from home and I always wanted to go to a big school...so it just worked out!
WHY ARMY ROTC: I did not come here planning on doing ROTC until I talked to LTC Paydock by accident. As it turned out, I got a four year scholarship and ended up loving the Army.
ADVICE FOR NEW CADETS: Listen and learn from older Cadets and try not to make their mistakes. Also, learn from your own mistakes, everyone makes them.
CADET ZACHARY WILLIAMS
HOMETOWN: New Philadelphia, OH
MAJOR: Accounting
HOBBIES, INTERESTS, PASSIONS: Basketball, football, music and exercise.
WHY KENT: Kent State is close to home. It has a regional campus in my hometown. the Business Administration school is reputable.
WHY ARMY ROTC: After spending time as an enlisted soldier in the National Guard, I decided that I wanted to expand my influence on the organization to make changes for the better. Army ROTC is the best facet to make that happen.
ADVICE FOR NEW CADETS: Nobody knows everything. However, confidence and decisiveness can make up for many of your short comings or inexperience.