Local Cadet Completes Operation Warrior Forge

Eric J. O’Donnell graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as “Operation Warrior Forge,” at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.

The 33 days of training provide the best possible professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration, and logistical support. Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet’s officer potential as a leader by exercising the cadet’s intelligence, common sense, ingenuity, and physical stamina. The cadet command assesses each cadet’s performance and progress in officer traits, qualities, and professionalism while attending the course.

Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program, and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the US Army, National Guard, or Reserve.

Cadet O’Donnell, a 2003 graduate of NHS, is a student at Stonehill College, Easton, Mass. He is the son of Maryann O’Donnell of Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook and Keith O’Donnell of Coal Pit Hill Road in Danbury.