Leonard Gerten promoted to Brigade Commander
October 23, 2015
Leonard Gerten promoted to serve as the 101st Raider Brigade Commander.
At the annual JROTC Diamond Promotion Ceremony, Len Gerten of Hastings, MN received the highest rank of Cadet Colonel and was assigned duties as the Brigade Commander. He is the 101st in a line of leaders that stretches back 98 years to the founding of the military program in 1917. During the first seven years of the program, the senior cadet held the rank of Major. In 1925, increased size justified a Cadet Colonel. In 1933 and 1945, there were two commanders appointed.
He joins 19 of his classmates who also earned promotion to diamond rank, so named for the diamond shape of the insignia. These 20 cadets will lead the corps through numerous activities and events culminating in the Twilight Parade on May 10, 2016.