CADENCE COUNT

Upon entering the DePaul ROTC Program I found a new and exciting experience. Sergeant Robinson, a friend of Sergeant Dolan, gave me a contact and someone familiar with my background. Military Science was a one credit hour course requiring two actual hours of attendance, one lecture and one drill. Drill classes were conducted on the uptown campus at Sheffield and Webster, across from St. Vincent’s Church. The drill classes were held in the Old Barn. The Barn was the original gym were DePaul played their basketball games and provided memories of George Mikan and the great teams of Coach Ray Meyer. In the 50’s the Barn was replaced, for basketball.by Alumni Hall. Once a week, in uniform, the downtown cadets would take the State Street subway to Sheffield to drill. Sometimes someone would drive, traveling the Outerdrive to the Uptown Campus.

The first year was uneventful except for the time that a cadre asked, “Who wants the First Year Efficiency Medal”. I did not think too much of the approach which had no selection criteria. Gene Sit raised his hand and got the medal. The first two years went by quickly and it was soon time to decide if you wanted to join the Advance Corp. The Advance Corp provided the opportunity to complete two years of training before becoming a U.S. Army Officer. The first requirement was to pass an Army physical, this required going to the Army Induction Center located in downtown Chicago on Congress Street. I had a problem with my blood pressure, it was high, I believe 140 over 80 or 90. I returned for two consecutive days of testing. Since my pressure was consistent I had the option to reject or stay in the program. I selected to stay. In response to my efforts, Colonel John Morgan sent a very nice letter to my mother complimenting me on my desire to enter the Advance Program and become an Army Officer.

The size of the class had dwindled to about 40 or 50 cadets. By this time we had switched from the old wool uniforms to greens. As cadets, we did not wear the officer black stripe trousers or striped sleeves. We purchased regular army hats adorned with the ROTC insignia. For the winter we were issued long grey overcoats. The cadre or instructors were headed by Colonel John Morgan. My mentor was to become Captain Salvatore Fede. Captain Fede was a short man with close cut black hair. He was originally from New York or New Jersey. It was his influence that was to guide me through my Junior and Senior years. Captain Fede replaced Sergeant France as my new friend and mentor.

Shortly after joining the Advanced Corp I became upset with the techniques used to train and motivate cadets. It seemed that the way to motivate, lead and correct mistakes was pushups. “Give Me 10”! I never read that in any Army manual... Leadership is getting people to do things because they want too. You do not punish people for mistakes, you correct them. This philosophy moved me to want to quit. I went to the Uptown Campus to see Colonel Morgan. I was mad. Instead of seeing Colonel Morgan, I was directed to Captain Fede. I voiced my concerns and told him how I felt and that I wanted to quit. Captain Fede, a Psychology Major, sat patiently and listened. When I was finished, he said: “George, I listened to you, now you listen to me”. He was very good, I listened. To solve the problem, Captain Fede advised me that the following week I was to conduct the drill to demonstrate leadership. The following week came and I commanded the drill and demonstrated my approach to leadership and motivatation. My style and command performance eventually earned me the right to command the Junior Cadets. This gave me the responsibility to prepare the juniors for Summer Camp. The class became known as Tarasuk’s Tigers(Give Me A T, Give Me an I etc,What’ve Got –TIGERS, Let me Hear you Growl) and I was also known as “Terrible Tempered Tarasuk” . I was a perfectionist and wanted 110% from my men and gave back 120% for the desired results. I was assisted by Bob Wilhelm. Captain Fede was in charge and with the rest of the DePaul Cadre we molded an outstanding group of future Army Officers. It wasn’t done through push ups, but by creating a high amount of espirit de corp. I was proud that the Junior Class finished 4th or 5th in the Summer Camp of 1960. This meant that a large number of DePaul cadets achieved the award of Distinguished Military Student qualifying them for Regular Army Commissions. This was the best showing in the history of the DePaul Cadet Corp.

During the Junior and Senior year, Military Instruction was taught to prepare the cadets for class presentations... This was to be the most important class to mold my military and teaching skills. I was given two teaching assignments. The first was a presentation on the Transportation Corp. The material was given to you on what and how to teach. It was dry. I had to make it exciting and worthwhile. I spent hours rehearsing and re-rehearsing. All of my mannerisms and actions were rehearsed to perfection. To start, get their attention. Remember Gus Economos? To achieve that, my opening line was:” Today we are going to roll right into our instruction, The Transportation Corp.” My grade was 98. The critique, and rightfully so, was that I was over rehearsed. I was like a machine that lacked flexibility. The good thing was that the mechanics were almost perfect. My second class was on the Middle East and Jordan. In the 50’s it was already predicted that the Middle East would be trouble. Again I rehearsed and rehearsed and bought a map of the Middle East for demonstration. My opening line was “Join me on my magic carpet as we journey to the Middle East”. Again I received a grade in the high 90’s. The biggest compliment was that many compared my skills to that of Colonel Morgan, the model for excellence. This experience provided the skills that would be important in my future teaching endeavors.

After completing junior year,1959, we attended ROTC Summer Camp at Camp Funston in Fort Riley Kansas. It was a 6 week basic training course to prepare for active duty. This would be the first time that I had traveled from home. I took a train from Union Station to Kansas. It was an over night trip. I found the train seat uncomfortable with little opportunity for sleep. When the train arrived, I learned that the station was split, part Kansas City, Missouri and part Kansas City, Kansas. From the station buses were ready to take the cadets to Camp Funston. Once at Camp Funston we were directed to our assigned unit. My unit was C Company 3rd Platoon. Once at our destination we were welcomed by the Sergeant. His first words were:” Welcome to Community Living.” The 40 or more cadets would now share the barracks for sleeping and showering. We would need to work as a team to pass inspections and participate in all training activities. From early morning reveille to the sound of retreat we were together. We learned to fix our bunks with hospital corners, fold our socks and have GI parties. The cadets had come from all over the Midwest: Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio etc.


The training ranged from weapons, tactics, communications, map reading, and physical training. We had the opportunity to fire all weapons from the 45 pistol to the 8” Howitzer. We marched to our training sites singing, “JODI WAS THERE WHEN YOU LEFT, CADENCE COUNT”. My favorite was;” SOME MOTHERS HAVE SONS IN THE ARMY, SOME MOTHERS HAVE SONS OVER SEAS, BUT DEAR MOTHER HANG DOWN YOUR STAR BANNER, YOUR SON’S IN THE ROTC – ROTC, ROTC IT SOUNDS LIKE BULL SHIT TO ME ETC.” Saturday morning was parade day. We donned our summer khakis and marched to the parade grounds. It was a thrill marching to the band sounds of the Colonel Boogey or Stars and Stripes. After the parade we normally received a weekend pass. Sometimes we traveled to Manhattan, Kansas or maybe a few of the DePaul Cadets gathered and dined at the Angus Steakhouse. We were always busy. The training was excellent. Most lunches were served in the field. I remember the chicken and mash potatoes, especially on rainy days when it got watered down. Then their was Captain Spitzer, the Mess Officer, making sure that everyone smashed their milk cartons before tossing them in the trash. I had a lot too learn. I never went camping or was exposed to outdoor living. It was a struggle to prepare a horseshoe roll or pitch a tent. I could have done without the outdoor living. Looking back it was a fun. I learned a lot, met many interesting people and survived 6 weeks of basic training.

In the fall it was back to class. As a senior I was promoted to Cadet Major, Charlie Stulga became the Lt. Colonel and commander. After summer camp I received the Distinguished Student Medal which qualified me to become a regular army career officer. Those who did not receive this honor would become Reserve Officers. Because of my leadership qualities I commanded the Junior Drill. During the two years in the Advanced Corp all cadets were paid 90 Cents, per day, or $27 a month. Prior to graduation you were asked to select the branch of the army you wanted to enter. Because of my business education I chose the Quartermaster Corp. Unfortunately, I was not to have a voice in the decision. The cadre knowing my leadership skills selected Infantry. I also had the choice of Regular Army or Reserves. I chose the Reserves because I did not feel comfortable traveling the world for 20 or more years. The Reserve Commission was for 6 months active duty and 7 ½ years Reserve duty. I always thought it was for a total of 7 ½ years. A military career can be very lonely. Based on these choices my orders were to report to the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga. On January 7, 1961. After the formal graduation, all graduating cadets went to the Barn to receive their Army Commission. My mother pinned on my Gold Bars. I was now a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.