<p>Here is the text of a message I just recieved from the KP Army program.</p>
<p>This is AWESOME!!!</p>
<p>
Besides the recent success of the 4 Midshipmen at Air Assault School, another Kings Point Midshipmen, M/N George Matthews 1/c was recently awarded the Army Achievement Medal for his outstanding performance during his summer internship at the National Training Center, Ft. Irwin California. </p>
<p>M/N Matthews chose to give up the majority of his summer break to do a summer internship with the 1/11th Armor Cavalry Regiment (ACR) out in the Mojave Desert at Ft. Irwin CA. The 11th ACR at Ft. Irwin is an Active Duty Army Unit with a primary mission of testing and assisting Military Units during their final phase of mobilization exercises prior to shipping out for overseas conflicts. Prepared to perform whatever duties was expected of him, M/N Matthews was surprised to learn upon his arrival that the Unit he was assigned to had received a change of mission, and they themselves were preparing for their own overseas deployment. </p>
<p>Within hours of his arrival, M/N Matthews was loaded on a UH60 Blackhawk helicopter and transported to the middle of the Mojave Desert to linkup with his unit that had already begun their Field Training Exercises. While there M/N Matthews learned the intricacies of combat mission planning at the Squadron level through Intelligence, Operation Orders and Sand Tables. He even served as a member of the Squadron Commanders (O-5) Personal Security Detail (PSD). He was later assigned as an Assistant Platoon Leader (APL) to one of the Platoons out on the front lines. It was there that his performance earned him the Army Achievement Medal. Here is what his achievement recommendation read:</p>
<p>M/N Matthews served with 3rd PLT Bravo Troop, 1/11 CR from 28Jun07 to 13Jul07. While assigned to the Unit, M/N Matthews quickly demonstrated his tactical proficiency, easily mastering Troop and PLT SOPs. During Troop STX, M/N Matthews single handedly apprehended the high value target ensuring mission success. Additionally during Squad Live Fire Exercises, M/N Matthews was instrumental to the success of his Platoon and the Troop by easily accomplishing any assigned mission.</p>
<p>M/N Matthews performance clearly demonstrates the caliber of students we all are producing here at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The number of awards that Active Duty Army Units give out during training exercises are limited and the fact that the 1/11th ACR chose to recognize him as instead of one of their own says a lot. Additionally, to be recognized by such a unit as the 1/11th ACR is truly a privilege and an honor.</p>
<p>Outstanding job to M/N Matthews and kudos to all those who continue to work hard producing such fine, young students here at the Academy.</p>
<p>Acta Non Verba
</p>
system
July 31, 2007, 1:32pm
2
<p>Goose bumps! Very awesome. Congrats to M/N George Matthews on receiving such a high honor. </p>
<p>Acta Non Verba</p>
<p>what’s awesome was how humble George is about it. i’d say we’re really close friends, and he never even mentioned it. just said he had a lot of fun and got to play the good guy. that was all. go figure. love ya George! keep it up!</p>