3 May 2009

Dear Scabbard & Blade Members, Cadre, and Alumni:

Thank you for the confidence placed in me to serve as the National Commander of Scabbard & Blade.  I look forward to the challenge of leading this outstanding organization this upcoming academic year.

I plan to achieve three major goals:

·         Increase the spirit of “jointness” between the cadet and midshipmen programs through increased educational opportunities in concert with our active forces.

·         Increase volunteer work to benefit our communities and in doing so, to improve our leadership and “officer-ship” skills.

·         Serve as a bridge between ROTC programs and the campus/wider community to increase community awareness of the military in general and ROTC programs specifically.

The University of South Florida in Tampa, FL will host the national convention this fall.  Please send me your suggestions for an overarching theme and specific topics you would like to see addressed.  One possible theme might be “Fostering Improved Relationships with the Active Forces.”  With two major combatant commands located here in the Tampa area, I hope to bring in key senior officers to address the cadets.

Once again, I am very pleased to be the incoming National Commander of Scabbard & Blade.  I look forward to working with you during this year to make this outstanding organization even more relevant to our military and our Society. I solicit your support and suggestions to improve our programs.  Please contact me at dkearns@mail.usf.edu or through the USF Army ROTC office at (813) 974-4065. 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

David P. Kearns

Commander, National Society of Scabbard & Blade