Maj. Gen. Joe Marsiglia met with cadets in Ann Arbor, Mich. to share his leadership experiences.
ANN ARBOR, Michigan — The new Reserve Organization of America and Reserve Officer Training Corps “Working Together Program” is something special. No other program like this exists in the state of Michigan. The program was created to provide ROTC cadets with leadership skills to help them succeed as officers; and presents officers with opportunities to share their leadership experiences with a new generation of officers and to enjoy continued involvement with old and new military friends.
The idea for the program started in April 2024. Retired Lt. Col. Louis Wilson attended the University of Michigan (UM) Tri-Service Awards Ceremony and met cadets and cadre.
The UM Army ROTC Wolverine Battalion had a new professor of military science (PMS) assigned, Capt. Louis Goldstein. Informal discussions sparked an idea to bring experienced officers into contact with students.
If it was to succeed, the cadets had to have input and ownership of the program.
Two cadets, Jonathan Li and Ethan Wilmot, volunteered as points of contact to gather cadet input. They suggested monthly meetings at a day and time that fit the students’ class schedules. To allow time to organize, the first meeting was set to take place in January 2025.
Wilson recruited officers to participate. He was greatly helped by retired Brig. Gen. Mark Montjar, who contacted several friends, who were also generals. An initial group of six generals and six field grade officers comprised the group. Maj. Gen. U.S. Army Joseph Marsiglia and several other officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force attended in person.
ROA-MI Executive Committee members and Naval officers Capt. Ventz Potochik and Cmdr. Jim Semerad took part. As several of the officers lived far from Ann Arbor, they were linked to the meetings via Zoom. The officers provided copies of their military bios. Goldstein provided the UM meeting rooms, Zoom meeting administration, and coordination with the cadets.
The program agendas were flexible and consisted of introductions and cadet questions. The cadets were asked to contact one or two officers outside of the meeting times, where the officers could serve as career mentors and information resources. The officers provided informal guidance and wrote reference letters for admission to civilian graduate and military programs.
The ROTC curriculum provides a solid base of technical skills. The Working Together Program provides an additional level of leadership skills in working with people, real world experience, and military careers.
Many positive outcomes resulted for both the cadets and officers. The cadets gained leadership skills and created connections with officers to assist their careers. The officers enjoyed involvement with military friends and shared their experiences to develop future leaders.
The hope is that ROA may benefit from increased involvement in ROA events with the retention and recruitment of ROA members. The program was beneficial and fun for all who participated, and may lead to long term friendships. Many of the junior and senior cadets have joined ROA as Associate Members.
With the enthusiastic cadet support, Goldstein and Wilson are planning to offer the Working Together Program at the UM ROTC Program in Sept 2025.
For more information, interested officers of all service branches can contact Wilson at louis-wilson@sbcglobal.net.
Pictured above are Capt. Louis Goldstein (left) and retired Lt. Col. Louis Wilson.
Pictured in first row from left to right: Retired Maj. Gen. Adolph McQueen, retired Maj. Gen. Arthur Bartell. Second row: cadets in conference room and retired Brig. Gen. Mark Montjar.