United States Army Cadet Command (USACC) recently sent Cadets to attend the Mission Command Conference (MCC) held at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Only 100 Cadets from the thousands that make up the 274 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs across the country were selected. The Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC program nominated Cadet Haley Bent to attend the MCC. Cadet Bent is a senior, studying Business who was the EWU ROTC “Fighting Eagles” Battalion Commanding Officer (CO). Earlier this year Bent was also recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate, an honor given to only the Top 20% of Cadets across the country.
EWU ROTC Cadet, Haley Bent attends the Mission Command Conference at the US Military Academy.
Her nomination to attend the MCC was approved and she attended the conference between 17-18 April 2019 with 100 other ROTC Cadets and the 2019 US Military Academy commissioning class. Prior to the conference Cadets were tasked to read the book “Black Hearts” by Jim Frederick and optionally read “Platoon Leader” by retired Colonel James “Jim” McDonough. During the MCC, Cadet Bent participated in a fireside chat with Jim McDonough and was given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss McDonough’s experiences as a platoon leader in Vietnam and how he handled corruption, insubordination, and overall tactics during the war.
Cadets listen to panelists at the Mission Command Conference
Cadet Bent was also able to participate in a panel discussion with former Soldiers from the “Black Hearts” book. The Soldiers discussed events described in the book involving operations in Iraq’s “triangle of death” that led to some Soldiers from the platoon committing murder of Iraqi civilians. The Cadets in attendance were able to talk to the former Soldiers on the panel and ask them their views on why some Soldiers in their unit went into such a downward spiral that led to murder. Their multiple perspectives gave Cadets the chance to understand the events at a Soldier and leader level as well as discuss the moral and ethical decisions made by Soldiers in the unit. Following the panel, the ROTC Cadets were then taken to the West Point Visitors Center to explore the history of the Academy and the overall history of warfare.
The Mission Command Conference was a great opportunity for the Cadets in attendance to better their leadership skills and moral/ethical decision making. Cadets learn through the ROTC program that doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but it is always the best choice. Eastern Washington Army ROTC strives to build Second Lieutenants of character and we look forward to what our future commissioning officers, like Haley Bent will bring to our Army.
