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Wheaton College Army ROTC alumni, Capt. Paily Eapen, Capt. Timothy Erickson, Capt. Dustin Marlett, Capt. Brendan Bell, 1st Lt. Brett Latsha, and 1st Lt. Nathan Williams meet together on Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Feb. 28. Not pictured, Maj. Luke Wilder. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Rebecca Walsh)
TIKRIT, Iraq - An unlikely reunion occurred on Contingency Operating Base Speicher for seven Wheaton College Army Reserve Officer Training Corps alumni who discovered they were all deployed to the same location despite serving in different units.
According to Capt. Timothy Erickson, an attorney with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kan., the group of alumni found out that they would be deployed together through an interconnected network of friends.
"The raw probability of seven people from the same school of 2,400 students to end up at the same base, at the same time is remarkable," said the Grand Rapids, Mich., native.
The officers earned their commissions from 1998-2008 and range in rank from first lieutenant to major.
"I was pleasantly surprised and wanted to meet [other alumni] since I only knew of one of them," said Maj. Luke Wilder of South Bend, Ind., who is currently deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Ga.
Despite being a small liberal arts college, Wheaton College commissions approximately 20 "Rolling Thunder Battalion" cadets each year. All seven alumni credit Wheaton ROTC for developing them as leaders.
"The goal at Wheaton is to make the classes that follow you better than your own," Erickson said. "Success is not measured in your individual performance, but in how you made underclassmen better than yourself. I have a meaningful relationship with Paily [Eapen], Brendan [Bell], and Dusty [Marlett], who were two years ahead of me, because they put the time in to [develop] me as a leader."
For the "Wheaton 7," the mentorship provided by their ROTC cadre is treasured.
"The example of our cadre was developmental to our attitudes of service as an Army officer. The example that they set for us as young, impressionable cadets stays with us to this day," said Capt. Paily Eapen, projects manager for the "Dragon" brigade.
Retired Lt. Col. Scott Buhmann, Professor of Military Science at Wheaton College from 1999-2006 has fond memories of his former cadets.
"My favorite memories of them and their classmates all revolve around their character and commitment to their job and to each other. They were a very, very tight knit group, and continue to be so," Buhmann said.
According to 1st Lt. Brett Latsha, who is currently deployed with the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, Wheaton College was about getting a balanced education.
"It's not just a liberal arts education, but being involved in other activities which have been instrumental in developing leadership," he said.
It is the bonds that they built as cadets which have allowed the "Wheaton 7" to maintain lasting friendships, making the deployment a little bit easier.
"I was thrilled to know that some old friends would be stationed with me during my deployment. We have had so many laughs here and many moments when we're together that I feel like I'm back at home," said Capt. Brendan Bell, a general dentist with the 502nd Dental Company.
"The people you work with now you will work with again later," 1st Lt. Nathan Williams, an Olathe, Kan., native concluded.
On a weekly basis, the alumni gather together for dinner, Bible study and to talk about the past and the future.
For current Wheaton ROTC cadets, these combat veterans have some words of encouragement about leadership and friendship.
"Invest in your fellow cadets," Eapen said. "They are friends that you will keep for the long haul."
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