Mountaineer Alumni – Appalachian State Army ROTC is off to a strong start, welcoming a talented freshman class, new Cadre, and a thriving Residential Learning Community (RLC). Our Mountaineers enter the year with momentum from an outstanding summer. Twenty-six Cadets completed Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, KY, continuing App State’s rank in the Top 12% of Army ROTC programs nationwide for CST Performance. Eight of our Cadets attended Air Assault School! August brought the energy back to campus with orientation week, an RLC float trip, and Ranger Challenge tryouts! We also celebrated the summer commissioning of three new Second Lieutenants, highlighted below, as they begin their journeys as Army officers. With three new Cadre members joining the team and preparations underway for Ranger Challenge in February, we’re ready for a year of growth, competition, and developing the next generation of Army leaders. Thank you for being part of the Mountaineer legacy our Cadets proudly carry forward!
COMMISSIONING AND INCOMING FRESHMAN
App State commissioned three Second Lieutenants in August, marking the occasion with a celebratory five-mile run featuring a 1,000 ft. climb to Howard’s Knob. App also welcomed one of its strongest MSI classes in years: 59 incoming freshmen, eight scoring above 450/500 on the Army Fitness Test. MSI Cadets account for 15 of the 22 candidates in the Commando tactics club tryouts, demonstrating strong fitness and initiative early in their ROTC journey. Our RLC kicked off the year with rappelling and a float trip!
WELCOME CADRE
We welcomed App State Alumnus CPT Brian Wilson (MSIII Instructor / S3 OIC)(left), SFC Michael Holzer (S3 NCOIC / MSII Instructor)(center), and CPT Joseph Thrapp (MSI Instructor / incoming XO)(right) to the team this semester. We’re very excited to have them and their experience on the team!
MOUNTAINEER INITIATIVES
Holistic Health & Fitness: We are partnering with the Health Sciences College to integrate the Sports Psychology program with two additional sports psychologists. The Kinesiology Department proposed two additional dedicated strength and conditioning graduate assistants to support MSI/II Cadets, bringing a total of eight H2F coaches to the program. Additionally, our recovery room and sleep bands help to increase our Cadets’ performance! Below: H2F Coaches (left), Nutrition table during ruck (center), Recovery Room (right).
On September 11 , the Mountaineer Battalion hosted community and university partners for a 9/11 Memorial Workout. The County Commissioner, University Provost, Dean, Emergency Service Chiefs, and University athletic teams participated
TRAINING ON THE MOUNTAIN
Fall FTX: The Mountaineers held the Fall FTX last week at Crossnore Training Facility. We kicked off the FTX with an air movement supported by App Alumni MAJ Jay Hosack and 1LT Jackson Medlin, where we contracted Cadets Caleb Laney and Billy Quinlan. On Sunday, we conducted a Battalion run followed by contracting of Cadets Billy Quinlan and Victoria Pioquinto. A big thanks to C/1-131 AVN (NCNG) for the awesome start to the FTX! See the Video. Following the FTX, the Ranger challenge team completed a mock competition. Rucking an additional 6 miles and testing under simulated competition standards on Weapons, TCCC, CBRN, Radios, call for fire, hand grenades, and one rope bridge.
Fall Training Progression: The Mountaineer Battalion conducted land navigation at the Vannoy Mountain Course, warrior skills, planning, CBRN, and terrain model development at Broyhill, Combat Water Survival Training, and the MSIVs conducted the Army’s new Combat Fitness Test (CFT).
MOUNTAINEER OF THE SUMMER
The Mountaineer of the Summer is Cadet Hunter Brown. Cadet Brown was the AUSA Leadership Excellence Award recipient for 5th Regiment Advanced Camp with an overall score of 96 points. As a completion Cadet, Cadet Brown continues to serve our program during MSIII labs and in the Commandos tactics club. Cadet Brown will commission in December and requested active duty with the Field Artillery branch.
MOUNTAINEER ALUMNI - STAY CONNECTED
Heroes Day 2026 - Join us for the Heroes Day Tailgate and Game on November 7, 2026 here in Boone! One free ticket and additional discounted tickets are available for veterans here: App Veteran Tickets - Heroes Day Game . For updated information on the Tailgate, visit the Student Veteran Services’ site: App State - Heroes Week Information. We are looking forward to hosting the Class of ‘86!
Mentorship Program- In December, our MSIVs will receive their branch. We look forward to connecting those who have volunteered to serve as mentors with our soon-to-be Lieutenants! If you haven’t volunteered yet and are interested, please connect with LTC Zach Jones at joneszw@appstate.edu.
Stay Connected - Thank you for your continued support to the Mountaineer Battalion. Let DJ Weatherford or LTC Zach Jones know if you’re visiting App State! Stay in touch through our website App State Army ROTC or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @AppROTC and #AppStateROTC
SITREP Cover Shot
SITREP Cover Shot