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ROTC staff member named best in nation
July 13, 2007
Staff member Vickie Vital was recently named the cadet command’s top supply technician in the country for 2007.
Vital is the supply technician and property book officer for PLU’s Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC). Cadet Command, the parent organization of the Army ROTC, presents incentive awards annually to recognize top performers from around the country.
“I believe people should always exceed the standards, not just meet the standards. It says a lot about who you are,” Vital said. “I do my job to the best of my ability every day. Getting the award is the icing on the cake.”
When PLU instructor Master Sgt. Lee Balame informed her she’d been given the honor, she was both surprised and deeply honored, she said.
“I didn’t even know the award existed,” Vital said. “It was a really great surprise.”
In her position at PLU, Vital is responsible for making sure all the logistical needs of the program and the cadets are met. This includes managing the program’s supply room in Memorial Gym, which is packed full of food, uniforms, sleeping bags and other gear.
Additionally, Vital teaches courses in PLU’s ROTC program about Army Family Team Building. The course details the resources, programs and benefits provided by the military to officers and their families.
“I love what I do,” she said. “I told (Col. Gillian Boice) that until she fires me or God takes me away, I’m here.”
Vital joined the Army when she was 17 years old, and she’s been working in logistics ever since. She served both as an active duty enlisted soldier, and serves now as a civilian.
“There’s nothing better than working with soldiers,” Vital said. “I was proud to wear the uniform … for someone to put their life on hold and on the line for me says a lot.”
Vital joined the PLU ROTC program about three years ago. She sees the students and cadre as an extension of her family, she said.
“I truly have a job that’s not a job,” she said. “This is my family – my other family.”
Learn more about PLU’s ROTC program at www.plu.edu/~rotc.
“I believe people should always exceed the standards, not just meet the standards. It says a lot about who you are,” Vital said. “I do my job to the best of my ability every day. Getting the award is the icing on the cake.”
When PLU instructor Master Sgt. Lee Balame informed her she’d been given the honor, she was both surprised and deeply honored, she said.
“I didn’t even know the award existed,” Vital said. “It was a really great surprise.”
In her position at PLU, Vital is responsible for making sure all the logistical needs of the program and the cadets are met. This includes managing the program’s supply room in Memorial Gym, which is packed full of food, uniforms, sleeping bags and other gear.
Additionally, Vital teaches courses in PLU’s ROTC program about Army Family Team Building. The course details the resources, programs and benefits provided by the military to officers and their families.
“I love what I do,” she said. “I told (Col. Gillian Boice) that until she fires me or God takes me away, I’m here.”
Vital joined the Army when she was 17 years old, and she’s been working in logistics ever since. She served both as an active duty enlisted soldier, and serves now as a civilian.
“There’s nothing better than working with soldiers,” Vital said. “I was proud to wear the uniform … for someone to put their life on hold and on the line for me says a lot.”
Vital joined the PLU ROTC program about three years ago. She sees the students and cadre as an extension of her family, she said.
“I truly have a job that’s not a job,” she said. “This is my family – my other family.”
Learn more about PLU’s ROTC program at www.plu.edu/~rotc.