Guidon ceremony marks end of Soldier First phase

By Joe Castelli

Staff Writer

Saturday marked a significant transition for Cadets of Co. D 1/46th Inf. when they participated in the guidon ceremony, which represents the completion of the Soldier First phase of the Leader’s Training Course, as well as a change of leadership roles.

Lt. Col. Randy Crist speaks to the Cadets about making it through the first phase of their training and motivates them to continue to work hard toward graduation. Photo by Kristin Sherrard

Cadets spent the preceding 72 hours learning Army basics – marching in formation, wearing the uniform, saluting properly and physical training. Those are skills they will build upon as they participate in the following phases: Warrior Leader and Future Leader.

“The values and skills you’ve learned over the last three days are the foundation that will support you throughout your career, and in life,” Lt. Col. Randy Crist, Delta Co.’s company tactical officer, said to the Cadets during the ceremony. “Now, time for the exciting stuff.”

Cadets expressed appreciation for what the ceremony represents.

“It felt good to get through the first phase,” said Cadet Kurt Dykstra of Old Dominion University.

“It was nice to have a definite marking of where our leadership began,” University of Minnesota Cadet Angela Irrgang added.

The guidon ceremony also represents a shift in leadership for Cadets. Though the drill sergeants still play a large role, squad tactical officers become their key mentors.

In past years, the guidon ceremony was where Cadets first met their STOs and other Cadre. The structure of LTC is slightly different this year, in that Cadets meet their ROTC cadre from the beginning, though drill sergeants still primarily conduct the first three days of instruction.

“I expected this to be like basic training, but it’s been a lot more fun that I thought it would be,” Dykstra said. Irrgang also was told that what she’d experience at LTC would be like basic training, and only because it’s at Fort Knox. “The drill sergeants are very helpful,” she said.

Cadets received Army Values tags during the Guidon Ceremony. They will hang on a board in their barracks until they take them down at graduation. Photo by Kristin Sherrard

“In the past, LTC was 72 hours of drill sergeants only,” said Master Sgt. Chris Painter, the company tactical noncommissioned officer. “No cadre from ROTC were present.

“Compared to previous years, this event has been scaled down to be more personable.”

Previous ceremonies were held at Victory Field and were much more elaborate. It was slimmed down to shift the focus more to the Cadets.

“Doing a smaller ceremony takes that focus away from the ceremony and puts the focus on the Cadets, so that they can understand that they’ve achieved something already in just that short three- or four-day period,” Crist said. “LTC is all about the Cadets.”

A guidon is the small flag on a pole carried by each platoon and company that bears their unit designation.

During the ceremony, each Cadet received Army Values tags they hang on a board in the barracks until they graduate from the course. Cadets take a class that focuses on the values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.

“The Army is a values-based organization,” Crist said. “Everybody in the Army, from the newest private, the newest ROTC student, all the way up to the senior general officer has that fundamental belief in the Army Values.”