Mountaineer Cadet Officer Leadership School (MCOLS) 2024

July 1, 2024   |   By Brian McMahon

West Virginia’s Mountaineer Cadet Officer Leadership School (MCOLS) is one of several summer leadership programs run by AF Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) units across the country, with financial support from the US Air Force’s JROTC headquarters in Alabama.  

Cadets and units selected for these events are considered the “cream of the crop” — only the very best units and cadets are invited. West Virginia’s MCOLS serves those cadets in the Central East area … including West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.

MCOLS provides cadets with opportunities to enhance their leadership and teamwork, academics, military drills, survival skills, as well as physical fitness and American Flag Honors courses. Held at Concord University, Athens, West Virginia, MCOLS has been the highlight of the summer AFJROTC calendar for 22 years. This year, MCOLS saw a total of 224 cadets, divided in to eight flights, two flights per squadron.

Each year, the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) Chuck Yeager Chapter arranges for speakers for the Yeager Leadership Seminar, and awards for the outstanding units and individuals in various categories.  AFA’s Central East Region, covering Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C., provides additional operational, logistic, and financial support to the program. 

One of the highlights of the MCOLS program is the Yeager Leadership Seminar, which brings world-class military and civilian leaders in to speak to the cadets on topics of leadership, ethics, and the challenges associated with leading groups of people in today’s cultural climate. 

Maj Gen (Ret) Crider speaks to the cadets.
MCOLS cadets listening to Maj Gen (Ret) Crider.
Maj Gen (Ret) Crider talks about the 5-C’s of leadership.
A cadet (standing) ask Maj Gen Crider a question.

Our speaker this year was Maj Gen (Ret) Kimberly “Kim” Crider of the US Space Force. Gen Crider, was commissioned through the ROTC program at Duke University and she finished her career as the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Air Force Space Command.  She spoke to the cadets about the “Five-Cs of Leadership,” using her life experiences, coupled with the main characters of the “Wizard of Oz”: Courage – the Cowardly Lion (facing the unknown), Compassion – the Tin Man (having heart), Commitment – Toto (dedicated), Competence – the Scarecrow (wisdom), and Cause – Dorthy (to get where she needs to go). To commemorate her outstanding presentation, Gen Crider received a plaque from the Yeager Chapter, presented Chapter president Peter Jones, with CER President Linda McMahon in attendance.  

Image with Maj Gen (Ret) Kim Crider (holding a plaque), Col (Ret) Peter Jones, Col (Ret) Linda McMahon
“With sincere thanks to Maj Gen Kimberly Crider, Keynote Speaker, Yeager Leadership Seminar, Mountaineer Cadet Leadership School, Air Force Junior ROTC, Concord University, Athens, West Virginia, June 20, 2024.”

The Yeager Chapter greatly appreciates the contribution of Gen Crider, and the support of the MCOLS leadership in making this Seminar a resounding success.

MCOLS GRADUATION

AWARDS

The following awards are to be given at the cadet’s home unit:

  • All cadets earned the AFJROTC Summer leadership school ribbon.
  • Many have earned the Physical Fitness Ribbon.
  • The Orientating Competition Ribbon is awarded to the top three two-person teams competing in the Orientating Exercise.
  • The Academic Ribbon top three cadets scoring the highest on the academic tests.
  • The highest overall scores from all evaluations receive the Outstanding Cadet Award for each cadet their Flight and the AFJROTC Achievement Ribbon.
  • MCOLS Honor Flight Award goes to the Flight that had the highest combined score in inspection, drill, athletics, and academics – Foxtrot Flight.  AFJROTC Outstanding Flight Ribbon.  Flight cadre members will receive the Outstanding Cadet Ribbon.

TOP AWARD WINNERS

2024 Individual Award Winners
L to R: Col Peter Jones, Yeager Chapter President; Breandan Mullins, Jefferson HS, WV; Noah Bucchi, Dobyns Bennett HS, TN; Isabell Stewart, Hixson HS, TN; Giana Venzon, Dobyns Bennett HS, TN; Fate Williams, Woodrow Wilson HS, WV; Alexa Rinker, Jefferson HS, WV; Natasha Kuciak, Pine-Richland HS, PA; Brooke Newman, Patrick Henry HS, VA Jordan Porter, EC Glass HS, VA; MSgt Doug Burhans, MCOLS Commandant, Hixson HS, TN
  • Breandan Mullins, Jefferson HS, WV – Male Best in Fitness Award for the highest score in the fitness test.
  • Noah Bucchi, Dobyns Bennett HS, TN – Outstanding Cadre Cadet Award for receiving the highest total score from the JROTC instructors.
  • Isabell Stewart, Hixson HS, TN – Outstanding Flight Cadre Award for leading Foxtrot flight to be this year’s honor flight. She received a plaque and the AFJROTC Outstanding Cadet Ribbon.
  • Giana Venzon, Dobyns Bennett HS, TN – Female Best in Fitness Award for the highest score in the fitness test; Best Individual Drill Award for highest total score in drill; Outstanding Advanced Cadet Award for the highest score in drill, academics, & athletics receives the Outstanding Advanced Cadet plaque and AFJROTC Outstanding Cadet Ribbon.
  • Fate Williams, Woodrow Wilson HS, WV – Brig Gen Chuck Yeager Leadership Award to the cadet who best personifies leadership and innovated spirit.
  • Alexa Rinker, Jefferson HS, WV – Uniform Inspection Award for highest score in daily uniform; Academic Achievement Plaque and AFJROTC Academic Achievement Ribbon scoring the highest on their academic test.
  • Natasha Kuciak, Pine-Richland HS, PA – Outstanding Basic Cadet Award for highest total score in drill, academics, & athletics receiving the Outstanding Basic Cadet plaque and AFJROTC Outstanding Cadet Ribbon.
  • Brooke Newman, Patrick Henry HS, VA – Room Inspection Award for the highest daily room inspection score.
  • Jordan Porter, EC Glass HS, VA – Outstanding Flight Cadre Award for leading Foxtrot flight to be this year’s honor flight. He received a plaque and the AFJROTC Outstanding Cadet Ribbon.

The video of the 2024 MCOLS graduation is found on the MCOLS Facebook page.