Part 2 of announcement
Questions and Answers:
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Whose decision was it to deactivate the Norwich Independent Battery (NIB)?*
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The final decision to deactivate the NIB was made by the Commandant’s Office with the Army ROTC Department providing primary input.*
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Why was the NIB changed to the Norwich Artillery Battery (NAB)?
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The Army ROTC Department activated the Norwich Artillery Battery due to changes within the U.S. Army. Specifically, the 75mm pack howitzers and ammunition are property of the U. S. Army. Firing of the guns and operation of the equipment pose potential liability and safety issues for the Army ROTC Department if the proper task organization is not in place and the Army’s Training Management System is not followed.*
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Under this Task Organization the Army ROTC Department now has full control of the training, certification and accountability and risk management for the Norwich Artillery Battery.*
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What is the primary focus of the Norwich Artillery Battery?*
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The primary focus of the Norwich Field Artillery Battery as it supports ceremonial field artillery missions on campus can be categorized by the following:*
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Safety – The Army requires personnel to be properly trained, certified and supervised to use or operate Army equipment. A composite risk management assessment (CRM) will be conducted before undertaking any training.
Training/Certification – The Army requires a structured and documented training certification program, supervised by Army Active Duty Cadre, to operate US Army Field Artillery equipment. This is consistent with all Army Training and ensures the cannons are utilized properly and safely.
Accountability – The Army requires Army personnel to be properly trained and certified or enrolled ROTC Cadets who have successfully completed an approved training/certification program conducted by Army personnel to operate Army equipment and ensure that nothing is lost, damaged, or destroyed.
Liability – The Army expects personnel to be properly trained and supervised when conducting any training in order to prevent injuries. Enrolled ROTC Cadets who are properly trained, certified, and supervised are covered by workman’s compensation in the event of injury.
Why is the Norwich Artillery Battery listed as voluntary Practical Military Training (PMT)?
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The NAB is uniquely an AROTC sponsored training activity and warrants designation as voluntary Practical Military Training (PMT). The unit is supervised by Cadre from the AROTC Detachment. The unit is uniquely military in nature and possesses training value in preparing Cadets for a specific Army career. By formally designating NAB as voluntary PMT, the program gains dedicated Army Cadre supervision over its activities, which enhance risk mitigation during voluntary PMT events. Additionally, Cadre members monitor participation in the NAB to prevent Cadets from over-extending themselves in their commitments. As such it ensures authorized Cadets who are properly trained, certified, and supervised are covered by workman’s compensation.*
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Is membership in the Norwich Artillery Battery (NAB) only open to Army ROTC Cadets?*
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By designating the NAB as voluntary Practical Military Training (PMT), it affords all Services (Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC, and Naval ROTC) an opportunity to participate in the training provided they meet the criteria set forth in Title 10 United States Code 2109.*
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Does that mean all students or Cadets at Norwich are authorized to join the Norwich Artillery Battery?*
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No, students must be in the Corps of Cadets and enrolled in an ROTC. Title 10 USC 2109(c) (1) (B) prevents a person from participating in PMT if they are not qualified for advanced ROTC training. The Army ROTC program is separated in to two categories: Basic Course Cadets (Freshmen/Military Science Level (MSL) I and Sophomores/MSL II) and Advanced Course Cadets (Juniors/MSL III and Seniors/MSL IV).*
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To participate in voluntary PMT, Basic Course Cadets must be enrolled in Army ROTC and be capable of qualifying for advanced training. Army ROTC Advanced Course Cadets at Norwich must be contracted with Army ROTC or be capable of contracting with Army ROTC while actively participating in advanced course training. Air Force and Navy have similar advanced training programs. Since sister-service ROTC Cadets are qualified or may become qualified for advanced training, these Cadets are able to participate in AROTC designated voluntary PMT events. Whether or not MCW or NAB qualifies as PMT for the other services is left to the discretion of individual service Secretary. NUCC Cadets, AROTC Cadets or sister-service Cadets who are unqualified for advanced training may not participate in voluntary PMT.*
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How do other ROTC services (Air Force, Navy, and Marine) Cadets join the Norwich Artillery Battery?
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In order for qualified cadets from other ROTC services to be able to participate in MCW or Norwich Artillery Battery, the ROTC detachment to which the cadet is assigned must submit an authorization/verification memorandum. That memorandum, submitted at the start of each semester, to the AROTC Department will verify those Basic and Advanced Course Cadets who meet the criteria to participate in voluntary PMT. In addition, this memorandum shall confirm that the listed cadets qualify for medical coverage under Department of Labor (DOL) criteria during voluntary PMT activities.*
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As of this date, Naval ROTC cadets are not authorized to participate under Department of the Navy policy. This is an issue that continues to be addressed at the president and AMCSUS (Association of Military Colleges and Military Schools of the United States) level.
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Are Cadets in other ROTC services covered by Workman’s Compensation?*
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Since all Cadets participating in the voluntary PMT activity are affiliated, enrolled or contracted with AROTC or Sister-Service and meet the criteria set forth in 10 USC 2109(c)(1)(B) to participate in voluntary PMT, they are covered medically under DOL Federal Workman’s Compensation Claim process through the Cadet’s respective ROTC program. Claims submitted under Workman’s Compensation are worked thru the Cadet’s respective ROTC detachment.*
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Is this change good for Norwich University?*
Yes.*
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The move to designate the Norwich Artillery Battery as voluntary Practical Military Training means:*
A valuable leadership opportunity for ROTC Cadets
Single responsibility for personnel, training and equipment aligned with the U.S. Army, which provides the artillery pieces and ammunition
Assurance that the Field Artillery equipment is properly maintained and funded by federal dollars
Training, certification and supervision by Army personnel for our cadets
Safety procedures meet and exceed Army standards
Cadets are covered by Workman’s Compensation (liability)
Ensures training opportunities are synchronized with Norwich University requirements (Only way to justify utilizing Army Ammunition and assets for non-Army entities)
Will all members of the NIB be able to volunteer to be in the Norwich Artillery Battery?
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Unfortunately, no. Of the sixteen members of NIB, only those that are currently enrolled in Army ROTC are eligible to volunteer. Members who are enrolled in another ROTC service may request authorization, but the authorization decision rests with the respective service. Approximately five NIB members are able to volunteer.*
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How will the Norwich Artillery Battery fill its ranks?*
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The Army ROTC department will establish minimum criteria for volunteering and will offer opportunities to its nearly 600 assigned cadets and qualified ROTC Cadets from the sister services.*
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What happens to the NIB personnel in regard to their positions within the Norwich University Corps of Cadets?*
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NIB is deactivated from the NUCC Unit Manning Roster (UMR) with the exception of three positions: Battery Commander, Battery Executive Officer and Battery First Sergeant. This is consistent with the Mountain and Cold Weather Company model in that those positions exist on the NUCC UMR, but the selection of cadets for those positions rests with the Army ROTC Department.*
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Where will the NIB personnel be assigned and housed?*
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For the remainder of this year, all personnel will remain in their current barracks. All personnel have been assigned to positions with the 2nd Battalion.*
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What about traditional NIB uniforms and insignia?*
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For the remainder of this year, NIB personnel are authorized to wear their crossed cannons on their headgear and wear an earplug case. The NIB unit patch is not authorized and the cadets have been given unit patches for the units to which they have been assigned. Any NIB apparel is not authorized for wear with any cadet uniform.*
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What happens to all of the NIB’s equipment?
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A joint inventory will confirm what is owned by Norwich University and what is owned by the U. S. Army. The Army will be responsible for its equipment, namely the ammunition and pack howitzers, and the Commandant’s Office will ensure that guns and equipment owned by Norwich are placed where it can be preserved to best tell the history of artillery at Norwich and be accessible to current students, faculty/staff, prospective students, alumni and visitors to the school.*
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For further information, please contact COL Rick Van Arnam (802) 485-2225 or
cmdt@norwich.edu or COL Steve Smith (802) 485-2480 or
ssmith5@norwich.edu. *