The Steel Battalion’s Scholar, Athlete, Leader model:
The Leader
“Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. ”
—Harry S. Truman, 33rd US President
Building Leaders of Character
A world class education in leadership
The Steel Battalion and Army ROTC program exist to educate, train, and inspire leaders of character committed to the Army values and prepared for careers of service to the Nation as officers in the United States Army. There is no better place to develop as a leader. Classroom instruction, practical exercises during leadership labs and field training exercises and one-on-one mentoring sessions with upperclassmen and cadre allow for holistic development of each cadet’s understanding of their own leadership style and Army leadership models. Throughout each year of their ROTC experience, cadets are challenged to grow as leaders.
A first year cadet gains perspective of being a follower and learns what good leadership looks like as they interact with senior cadets in addition to receiving classroom instruction on the foundations of Army leadership. A second year cadet gains responsibility as they serve as a team or squad leader, leading not just first year cadets but also some of their peers, complimented by curriculum on the role of a leader in garrison and tactical environments. By their third year, cadets are serving as leaders at the platoon and company level in not just garrison formations but during leadership labs as they learn how to plan and execute missions and lead in difficult conditions. During the summer between a cadet’s third and fourth year, cadets attend Advanced Camp at Fort Knox where cadets from around the nation work together in platoons to plan and execute missions during simulated training exercises. Steel Battalion cadets regularly receive some of the best scores in the nation, with many proudly earning the coveted “RECONDO” status. After fourth year cadets return from Advanced Camp, they are charged with running the Steel Battalion’s operations and training while receiving advanced instruction on officership and the nuances of leading America’s sons and daughters.
Cadets are provided numerous formal and informal opportunities to practice leadership and receive constant feedback and support from subordinates, peers, upperclassmen and cadre. Regular counseling and mentoring sessions, peer evaluations and tactical leadership rotations/reports allow for cadets to understand and develop their leadership strengths and identify and address their leadership struggles.
By commissioning, each Steel Battalion graduate is a leader of character ready to address the problems facing our nation, whether they serve on active duty or in the civilian sector while in the National Guard or Army Reserve.
Developmental Opportunities
Leadership Panels and Guest Speakers
The Steel Battalion regularly hosts leadership panels and guest speakers from a variety of military and civilian backgrounds. Speakers share anecdotes about their careers and insights into leadership, problem solving, crisis management and problems facing the nation. Cadets are provided numerous opportunities to seek guidance and ask questions of all speakers, many of whom later become mentors.
Mentorship
The Steel Battalion mentorship program brings out the best in our cadets. Each class is mentored by the class above them and provides a well rounded perspective to cadets as they serve as both mentors and mentees. Mentors are more than just academic and ROTC advisors but go to resources for physical fitness, personal queries and anything that might be on a mentee’s mind. This “big brother” or “big sister” relationship allows cadets to get to know each other in and out of uniform and further strengthens the Steel Battalion’s family culture. It’s not uncommon to see mentors and mentees grabbing breakfast after PT, studying in the library or working out together.
Leadership Labs
Leadership labs are held on Lehigh’s Mountaintop or Goodman campus or adjacent South Mountain Park every Thursday from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. These labs serve as an opportunity for cadets to put into practice what they have learned in class and practice tactics in a realistic rural setting. Unlike many other ROTC programs who conduct labs within football fields or city parks, the Steel Battalion has access to dozens of square miles of diverse terrain, providing plentiful opportunities for cadets to practice tactics in wooded areas, mountainous terrain and vegetated fields, similar to the conditions cadets will encounter at Advanced Camp.
During the fall semester, labs initially consist of instruction and review of land navigation, medical care, radio use and other basic soldier skills. By fall break, cadets have transitioned into squad size operations as third year cadets practice serving as squad leaders and second year cadets as team leaders. First year cadets serve as riflemen and are oriented to basic infantry tactics.
During the spring semester, cadets progress to conducting platoon level operations against opposing forces. Third year cadets serve as platoon leaders, platoon sergeants and squad leaders while second year cadets continue to develop their abilities as junior leaders at the team leader level and first year cadets strengthen their understanding of basic platoon operations.
