OTC commander excited about his return to Rancier Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 27 2009 03:12 PM By Rebecca LaFlure
Fort Hood Herald

Col. Don MacWillie returned to his childhood middle school Monday morning, this time as the commander of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command.

The command became Rancier Middle School's new sponsor in the Adopt-A-School program, a mentor system that connects Fort Hood soldiers and area students.

MacWillie was especially excited about the partnership. He attended Rancier in Killeen from 1974 to 1975.

"It's a powerful sight for students to see someone who was in eighth grade just like they were, and it shows them that they can become whatever they want to be," Rancier Principal David Manley said Monday.

In front of a crowd of students and faculty members, a group of the command's soldiers and Rancier administrators held a ceremony to celebrate the partnership.

Operational Test Command soldiers, who test equipment before it's used by the Army, are some of the top experts in math, science and military technology.

"We want to be able to take that and bring it to this school," MacWillie said.

It's the first school the command has sponsored in the program, which previously did not allow tenant units to participate. Rancier's former unit partner left with the 4th Infantry Division this summer.

Soldiers plan to tutor students in math and science, help with their physical fitness tests, participate in leadership classes and perhaps most importantly, serve as mentors.

"We are offering another ear and another perspective on life," MacWillie said. "It's not about joining the military. It's about growing up to be a good adult."

But it isn't a one-sided

partnership. Manley said he hopes to get the students involved in command events as well. He plans for the Rancier marching band to play at a ceremony welcoming back soldiers currently deployed in Iraq.

Maj. Christine Youngquist, a test officer, will use her previous teaching experience to help Rancier students. Youngquist, who taught special education in Florida for three years until she joined the Army, will assist teachers in a skills class for one hour each week.

"This allows me to still do what I love and work with the kids I enjoy," said Youngquist, who hopes to return to teaching after she retires from the military. "I'll be another set of hands."

MacWillie said he did not expect to become a mentor at his former middle school, but it was a pleasant surprise.

"It's just out of a matter of luck that we got Rancier. I'm pretty pleased about it," he said.

Contact Rebecca LaFlure at rlaflure@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7548.