"Bold Tiger Battalion" Recent News
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ECP Graduate 2LT Brann Returns to Advise MSIVs
2LT Jeremy Brann (class of 2011) returned to MMI on Friday, 13 January, to speak to the Military Science Level IV (MSIV) class. He came to share his experience of making the transition from MMI Cadet to Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard (ARNG), and all the pitfalls along the way.
His information pertaining to accessing tuition assistance benefits, integrating into the new ARNG unit, and managing school and career will hopefully help future MSIVs make a smooth transition. 2LT Brann is currently enrolled at North Georgia College & State University.
LDAC Stats put MMI Among the Best in Nation
Representing Marion Military Institute's Bold Tiger Battalion:
- 50 cadets sent to Leader Development & Assesement Course (LDAC), more than any other Military Junior College (MJC) in the nation.
- 45 of those graduated from LDAC--more than any other MJC.
- 42 passed the Army Pysical Fitness Test on the first try--more than any other MJC.
- 2 "Top 5" cadets in Platoon (Moseley and Wooten)--tied for most of any MJC.
In freshmen news: out of the 57 recruits that attended MMI's Tiger Camp, 55 completed the Army's Leader's Training Course (LTC) at Ft. Knox!
Bold Tiger Battalion Concludes 2 Cycles of Tiger Camp, Preparing Recruits for LTC at Ft. Knox
In June, more than 50 prospective Early Commissioning Program (ECP) cadets spent a week at MMI's Tiger Camp to prepare for the Army's 4-week Leader's Training Course at Fort Knox.
While on campus, they were introduced to the basics of military life: physical training, team- building exercises, map reading, road marches, and Combat Water Survival Training, among other activities. Concluding the experience were a paintball challenge and awards social.
CLICK HERE FOR TIGER CAMP 2011 PHOTO GALLERY
2LT Overton Represents MMI at Governor's Luncheon 
As the outstanding senior cadet from MMI's ROTC program, 2LT Kiana Overton (MMI class of 2011) was honored at the 2011 Alabama Governor's Outstanding Servicemember's Awards Luncheon. A member of the Alabama National Guard, she is assigned to the 900th Maintenance Company in Brundidge. She is the recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Award; a graduate of the U.S. Army's Airborne School and the U.S. Army's Leadership Development Assessment Course; and a member of the military honor society Scabbard and Blade
Escorting 2LT Overton to the May 24 event, held at the Officers Club at Maxwell AFB, was LTC James Lake, Executive Officer, Marion Military Institute ROTC.
Banding together for the Brewer Family
by CPT Anthony Clemons
There are times when life stops us in our tracks and makes us consider everything from a different angle. For 1LT Tamara Brewer that day came in November, 2010 during a trip to Las Vegas. When a visit with a friend ended with a 16-day emergency hold in the ICU, 1LT Brewer’s life as she knew it ended and a difficult journey began.
Through her role as a COMTek contractor, 1LT Brewer and her husband Scott and son Grayson have been part of the Marion Military Institute Army ROTC family since 2005. As an Assistant Professor of Military Science, she has taught graduating MSIIs and has taken on the role of the Adjutant for the Department. She has always been an outgoing officer, earning a direct commission to Second Lieutenant in 2005 and her first detachment command in 2007. In May, 2007 the promotable 2LT Brewer received notice her detachment was being mobilized for deployment to Iraq, and in August she arrived in-country. Throughout that month dust storms peppered her area of operations, causing her to have a cough that lasted nearly four months. She was diagnosed with Reactive Airway Disease but thought little of it until three years later.
After suffering through numerous trips to hospitals for testing,1LT Brewer was referred to the MAYO Clinic. For 20 days she continued to be tested by innumerable specialists and again was transferred to a new medical research hub: the National Jewish Health Center. There, she was officially diagnosed with Reactive Airway Disease, Mild Asthma, Vocal Cord Dysfunction, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It was then 1LT Brewer learned that some serious life changes were needed to enhance her quality of life.
Most of the changes involved removing anything that could inflame her condition. However, the work level needed to meet those needs was momentous and more than a single family should have to bear. After learning about the Brewers needs, the Bold Tiger Battalion and the Marion community came together to plan and execute an April event now remembered as the Brewer Family’s extreme home makeover.
For two days, more than 20 members from the Marion Military Institute faculty, staff and ROTC cadre worked to make some improvements in and around the Brewer household. Three teams were assigned to work in the yard, repaint the interior walls and remove carpet in each room for wood flooring installation.
SFC Carlen, a coworker of 1LT Brewer’s, said, “ We took furniture apart, pulled-up carpet and moved everything out to get everything done that needed to be done.” Cadets from MMI’s military honor society Scabbard and Blade worked on the exterior to gravel flowerbeds along the house and pressure wash the house’s siding. When asked about the project, LTC Sean Ryan, MMI’s Professor of Military Science, simply said, “All of us chose to go out there voluntarily because we all care about the Brewers as a family. That’s just what soldiers do—take care of each other.”
Inaugural 5K Proves Successful Fundraiser 
The inaugural Tiger Classic 5K & 1Mile fun run/walk, coordinated by the ROTC Bold Tiger Battalion, was held during Marion Military Institute's Alumni Weekend on Friday, April 8. The route started at MMI's Robinson Stadium, went through the city of Marion and neighboring Judson College, ending back at MMI. Each participant was enthusiastic about the route; many stated it was more challenging than expected and looked forward to coming back next year.
Thanks to the great support from our local community, the run raised $1,600 for the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. Mrs. Linda Taylor, a two-time cancer suvivor, served as Grand Marshall. The winners in each catagory were Female: Cadet Roxy Carey, Male: Cadet Malcolm Richardson, Over 55: COL(R) Thomas Tate, Child (12 & Under): Baby Boy Nichol...cancer patient in remission!
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ECP Cadet Hollis Wins MacArthur Award
In January 2009, ROTC Cadet William Hollis enrolled at Marion Military Institute (MMI)—just an hour south of his native Bessemer, Ala. Attracted to the opportunity to become an Army officer in just two years, he joined the MMI’s Early Commissioning Program, one of only five in the nation. Over the course of five semesters at the oldest Military Junior College in the nation (est. 1842), Cadet Hollis has held numerous leadership positions and risen to the rank of Battalion S-3.
On February 23, the entire MMI Corps of Cadets, faculty and staff joined in celebrating him as the 2011 recipient of the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Cadet Award. Upon earning his associate’s degree from MMI in May, he will commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. Cadet Hollis plans to further his military education at North Georgia College and State University, a senior military institution. There, he will likely major in criminal justice and minor in business administration.
Currently attending MMI on a Military Junior College (MJC) Scholarship, Cadet Hollis appreciates the development opportunities that his Marion education has presented him. “Marion has taught me how to be in a leadership position among my peers and has helped me learn how to prioritize,” he says.
Rep. Melton Visits Concordia ROTC
SFC Juan Carter, Military Science Instructor, welcomes Alabama State Representative Darrio Melton to the ROTC Department at Concordia College - Selma. Representative Melton visited with ROTC students as part of the African-American Month.
Small Soldier
Samanion West (2) tries to render a military salute to his mom, Cadet Martina West, during a recent visit to her ROTC class at Concordia College in Selma, AL
Tigers Take the Plunge
The Tiger Battalion proved their aquatic abilities by ensuring to maintain equipment while crossing the pool and fearlessly stepping off the 3 meter spring board blindfolded along with other tasks during Combat Water Survival Training (CWST).
Senator Singleton Jumps with Army's Golden Knights
“I feel really safe, I’m honored to get the chance and I’m ready,” Singleton, a state senator from Alabama said as he suited up in his black and gold jumpsuit before the dive. Sen Singleton was a guest of Marion Military Institute and Cadet Command at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. While there, he also met with Alabama high school football players who participated in the event.
“When I hit that door, I got this...... nervous feeling and thought, ‘What am I doing?’ ” Singleton said once he was back on terra firma.
Without a doubt, Singleton knew he was in good hands. His jangled nerves were steadied by the knowledge that he literally had a U.S. Army Golden Knights parachutist strapped to his back for the tandem jump. And that knowledge was enough to get him out the door.
