Cal Poly ROTC Cadets Lead the Nation at Advanced Camp 2025
Cal Poly’s Mustang Battalion cadets’ combined performance average was the highest not only among the 32 Western ROTC programs, including UCLA, UC Berkeley and Oregon, but also over 265 units from across the nation.
Adding to the historic achievement, four of the six Cal Poly cadets who will commission this year earned the prestigious Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG) recognition. They include cadets Zachary Cook (political science), Isabel Hermann (journalism), Andrew Koenig (history) and Avery White (computer engineering).
Out of approximately 5,000 cadets commissioning across the nation in 2025, only a select percentage earn DMG status, reserved for those who demonstrate exceptional leadership, academic success and physical fitness.
“Competing against the best and brightest cadets from nationwide programs is always an honor,” said Lt. Col. Mark Swiney, professor and chair of the Military Science Department. “Our Mustang Battalion’s success highlights the caliber of students we have and how they embody the university’s Learn by Doing spirit and apply their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, excelling in every environment.”
Taking place over 36 days from late May to early July, Advanced Camp is a premier summer training event that brings together more than 5,000 ROTC cadets from across the nation, testing their leadership, endurance and military proficiency under rigorous conditions.
Training throughout the camp focuses on problem-solving in high-stress, real-world simulations. These events further develop leadership traits that help cadets thrive in challe
nging situations.
Throughout camp, cadets must exceed the standards of the Army Physical Fitness Test and are scored in confidence courses, land navigation, marksmanship, first aid, a 12-mile foot march and other skills.
Cadet Gigi Travagline (construction management) dominated the physical fitness events, earning the Top Female Army Fitness Award.