Former Cadet returns to LTC as squad tactical officer

By Joe Castelli

Staff Writer

Just two years ago, 2nd Lt. Nicholas Harrison was a Bravo Co. Cadet at the Leader’s Training Course.

Second Lt. Nicholas Harrison returns to the Leader's Training Course as a squad tactical officer. Photo by Michael Rivera

He’s used that added familiarity as a squad tactical officer as a leader for the first cycle of Cadets, and he is giving it another run with the second cycle of Co. A 1/46th Inf.

The 3rd Platoon, 4th Squad STO’s transition from Cadet to cadre has been a rewarding one.

It also comes naturally.

“It’s in my genes,” said Harrison, a criminal justice graduate of Pennsylvania State University who branched ordnance. His grandfather fought in Korea, and he has several cousins also in the military.

Harrison’s ability to take charge has stood out to his fellow cadre.

“He has a very easy-going, relaxed leadership style,” said Maj. Don Smith, the platoon tactical officer for 3rd Platoon. “His style gets Cadets to open up, talk to him and ask him questions.”

“He deals really well with all of the Cadets,” said 2nd. Lt. Mike Herbst, a STO in the same platoon who said he’s become good friends with Harrison.

Herbst is the STO for 3rd Squad, and the two are often required to buddy-up and guide their Cadets in tandem.

“I know all those Cadets have a favorable view of him, but at the same time respect him as their leader, which is kind of a hard line to walk,” Herbst said. “You’re not that one that they hate, but at the same time you have their respect.”

Not only does he walk that line gracefully, but he has a knack for explaining things to his Cadets.

“A lot of them come in without a lot of ROTC or Army knowledge. Sometimes you have to find an analogy for how to relate this to the real world,” Herbst said. “He’s good at breaking stuff down to that level so they can understand it — conceptualizing it for them.”

Having been through LTC himself, Harrison, 22, came back LTC with a solid knowledge of what Cadets would be going through.

“Everything was like déjà-vu because I’ve been here before,” Harrison said of his first run as LTC cadre. “Before I was worried about how things would work out being a STO because I’ve never done it before, but this second cycle’s gonna be a breeze, definitely.”

Harrison is tackling goals in the Army one at a time. His next is to earn a promotion to captain.

 “It’s been a life-long dream,” Harrison said of his endeavors in the Army. “I’m just answering the call, that’s all.”