Newberry College Student Named Distinguished Military Graduate

Newberry College senior Trey Scott earns ROTC national honor

For Jerry “Trey” Wayne Scott, half the battle in achieving success is in setting goals and attacking them with laser-sharp intensity. That level of focus is what landed him in the top 10 percent out of 6,000 ROTC cadets throughout the nation and earning the Distinguished Military Graduate designation. 

To rank in the top 10 percent, a cadet must meet requirements for academic ability, leadership skills, physical fitness and extracurricular participation. The ranking also required a written evaluation from an ROTC instructor based on his performance at the Cadet Advanced Camp in Fort Knox, Ky., which included standardized testing on leadership, military knowledge and skills. 

A fifth-year senior with a 3.9 GPA at Newberry College, Trey is a Biology major with a minor in Military Science Leadership. He also played varsity baseball for the Newberry Wolves. 

Trey began in the ROTC program as a student at Presbyterian College and continued to develop his leadership capabilities when he transferred to Newberry College in his sophomore year. 

“A focus of ROTC is on helping us develop our leadership skills,” Trey said. “Leadership means listening to what your instructor is teaching you, pushing yourself beyond your limits and motivating the entire group to accomplish the mission.”

A unique aspect of Trey’s top 10 percent ranking was his performance on the physical training components of the ROTC program. Trey earned the highest possible points available out on the PT test, which includes a maximum of 80 sit-ups, 75 push-ups and completing a two-mile in less than 13 minutes. 

Pushing himself physically, mentally and emotionally has helped Trey develop the skills to deal with adversity he may face in his future military career. 

“I deal with adversity with the support of my fellow cadets,” Trey said. “Once I see success and the gains from it, then I get that satisfying feeling and push myself even more.”

As a Distinguished Military Graduate, Trey has the benefit of choosing his first duty station. He hopes to be based in Italy. “Italy gives me a chance to be in another country and to experience life from a different view,” Trey said. 

When he graduates from Newberry College in spring 2017, Trey plans to serve as a Medical Service Office in Italy and then apply to medical school. 

“ROTC is a great opportunity that can help you learn about yourself, push yourself daily, have fun and open up opportunities to get a career and help your country.”