Freshman Cadet Named UW Army ROTC Cadet of the Month

Every nonsenior cadet in the University of Wyoming’s Army ROTC strives to be named the Cadet of the Month. Usually, junior or sophomore cadets are selected, but a freshman cadet was honored this month.

Juliana Federici, a native of Albuquerque, N.M., is the latest Cadet of the Month.

“Cadet Federici impressed the entire board,” says Master Sgt. Jeremiah Schuchardt, UW Army ROTC senior military instructor. “She showed excellent physical fitness, knowledge, discipline, customs and courtesies. She also showed confidence in her first board, especially only being in the program for a few months.”

Selected cadets in the program demonstrate their knowledge and excellence in front of experienced board members in a closed-door competition every month for a chance at the coveted honor. Federici, a kinesiology major, was selected because she has an impressive record and demonstrated what a Cowboy Battalion cadet should be.

Winning the competition is not only a manifestation of excellence, but also a challenge for any freshman who competes against more experienced cadets, Schuchardt says.

“It was nerve-wracking and very formal,” Federici says. “When I found out I won, I was pretty excited. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to win.”

Within the UW Army ROTC program, cadets are encouraged to participate in the competition to demonstrate overall excellent performance, leadership and U.S. Army knowledge. However, it does not end after winning the monthly competition.

“At the end of the semester, all winners of the Cadet of the Month will compete for Cadet of the Semester and will be rewarded with a cash prize,” Schuchardt says.

UW’s Army ROTC program is rooted in history and places an emphasis on excellence. The program’s students consistently rank ahead of national cadet command averages in academics and physical fitness.

For more information and events about UW Army ROTC, visit the website at www.uwyo.edu/armyrotc/ or follow on Facebook.