Three CSC cadets rank in top 25 percent at leadership training

According to Professor of Military Science Lt. Col. Dick Mendenhall, CSC seniors participated in a series of mental, physical, and leadership exercises to evaluate their leadership abilities. The tests included land navigation, basic rifle marksmanship, platoon leadership events, and conducting platoon tactical tasks like assaulting a bunker, conducting an ambush, and defending a strong point.

Mendenhall said the evaluations drive the Order of Merit List for duty and career assignments in the component where each cadet has designated to serve, whether active duty, National Guard, or reserve.

Konery Klueber of Rapid City, South Dakota, was third in the field of 157 college cadets from the Black Hawk Brigade encompassing Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. He won the Top Tactician award for his performance in the field. Calvin DePriest of Omaha was 26th and Colton Alexander of Bridgeport finished in the top 25 percentile.

Klueber, who serves as the Mount Rushmore Battalion Cadet Commander, said the training was not what the cadets expected their culminating summer training experience to be, due to adjustments for COVID-19, but was still a positive experience.

“It was a blessing to have the opportunity to get to work with other future leaders from our brigade. The 10 cadets from our three-school battalion performed very well overall, with cadets from Chadron State helping lead that success. These rankings are a great representation of the excellent program we are all continually working to develop,” Klueber said.

Mendenhall said he was proud of the team of six CSC cadets and pleased to have the opportunity to work with them. The additional three cadets who attended the training are Chase Thurness and Kalli Talbot of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Tristan Kreb of Chadron.

“The CSC cadets did extremely well, which I am certain comes as no surprise to the CSC leadership,” Mendenhall said.