Name: Cody Strong

Hometown: Plymouth, WI

School: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Major: Forest and Wildlife Ecology

MS Year: MS III

Cody Strong is a junior studying Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisocnsin-Madison and an MSIII in the Badger Battalion. Growing up, CDT Strong lived near Road America with his younger brother, two great parents and his Yorkshire Terrier, Bandit. He attended St. John Lutheran Grade School and Plymouth Comprehensive High School prior to attending college. CDT Strong studied a year at the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay before transferring to Madison, where he changed his major and joined the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps.

CDT strong decided to try Army ROTC under the guidance of a friend who was in the program at Marquette University. "I tried it out for about a semester before contracting late last year. It seemed like a good way to do something meaningful with my time here at the University." After contracting last year, CDT Strong attended Leadership Training Camp in Fort Knox, KY during the summer and here he caught up on the Army skills and proficiencies that his classmates learned in their additional years in ROTC. Now an MSIII with only a semester to go before attending Leadership Development and Assessment Camp at Ft. Lewis, CDT Strong fully recognizes the increased responsiblity that comes with being an MSIII and a developing leader in Army ROTC. "It's a big jump from MSII year, where I admittedly just did as I was told without putting much thought into it."

When asked about what his most memorable time with Army ROTC was CDT Strong states that it would have to be his time spent at LTC at Ft. Knox. Although he claims it was a bit boring at times, CDT Strong found it enjoyable and he was amazed at how much he already knew while at training. "Most cadets there were learning things for the first time; I was surprised by how much I'd already learned in my one semester of ROTC!" Overall, CDT Strong claims that he can't complain too much about Army ROTC. "Sometimes it's fun, though it can also be work, but at least it's always interesting."

Now with a couple of semesters of college and Army ROTC under his belt, CDT Strong recognizes the necessity for balance between classes, ROTC committemnts, and play. CDT Strong currently boasts a 4.0 GPA and understands what it takes to maintain that and succeed as a cadet. "Concentrate on scholastic achievement as much as you can. You only go through college once – so you might as well do your best and get the most out of it. ROTC activities are extremely important, but that doesn't mean that academics aren't. Make sure you keep your priorities straight; it's easy to get overwhelmed otherwise."

Outside of Army ROTC and school, CDT Strong enjoys fishing, especially for bass and walleye,and just being outdoors in general. He also plays paintball, video games, and bikes.

Fun fact about CDT Strong: He showed up to his first day of PT with should length hair!