A N.C. Baptist college cadet has been named to the 2012 Cadet Command list of top 10 ROTC seniors in the nation.
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John LeBaube |
Campbell University’s John LeBaube garnered the No. 2 slot. The top 10 listing represents highest honors from the U.S. Army Cadet Command, which ranks all Army ROTC seniors across the nation. This year the list includes 1,119 Distinguished Military Graduates out of 5,579 cadets. LeBaube, 29, enlisted in the U.S. Army as an 18-year-old, serving in Afghanistan in 2007 and 2009 before deciding to return to school for a college degree. The Brown Summit, N.C., native enrolled at Campbell through the influence of co-workers at Fort Bragg.
“We all motivated each other,” LeBaube said. “They were looking to the future, and that got me thinking about what my future would look like.”
LeBaube said his one advantage in being considered for the Cadet Command list was his previous military experience, as many ROTC students are fresh out of high school. He thought he had a good chance to be in the top 10-20 percent but the news of being No. 2 in the nation was surprising. “I don’t know how exactly I reacted, but I was excited and happy about it,” LeBaube said.
The achievement means that, after graduation, LeBaube will have his choice among the Army’s 26 branch choices for future second lieutenants. LeBaube hopes to work as a pilot in the Aeromedical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) program.
Another Baptist college cadet made the top 10. California Baptist University’s Kyle Feldman was No. 6.