UCSB ROTC

Introducing our next 🌊 CDT Spotlight 🌊 MSII CDT Zach Trebotich:

➡️ What have you been up to?

Outside of ROTC, I’ve played Rugby for UCSB and am a part of a few Christian groups on campus which are Intervarsity and Alive. I lead a men’s Bible study in Intervarsity and am one of the Leaders at Alive. Inside ROTC, I am the team SGT on the Ranger Challenge team and am a part of Community Outreach, Color Guard, and Bataan. I also take a kickboxing class here and have been apart of a intramural soccer and basketball. Some hobbies of mine are weightlifting, running, football, and playing chess. I am working towards a degree in financial math and commissioning as an officer as well as growing as a man of God.

➡️ What does Unbreakable mean to you and how do you live it?

Unbreakable means no matter how hard things get, having the mental toughness to not fold under the pressure and keep going. I live this continuously, throughout my academic studies, on the sports field, and in general with my physical fitness. But a big example was Air Assault School. I wanted to quit everyday but having the mental fortitude I had let me keep pushing through it.

➡️ What motivates you?

Something that motivates me is those who have laid down their lives to defend this country. My faith, and knowing I have someone with me at all times who I can always turn to also greatly motivates me.

➡️ Fun Fact?

I am a massive history nerd, particularly military history including WW2, the crusades, and ancient Roman and Byzantine conflicts.

➡️ Lastly, if you could share one thing about the Surfrider Battalion, what would it be?

The surfrider battalion is full of people who care about you and will personally check in and reach out to you, really making it a family.

surfriders

Introducing our first 🌊 CDT Spotlight 🌊 of the year, MSIII CDT James Zhen!

➡️ What have you been up to?

I am currently working in an undergraduate research lab studying protein interactions with viruses, and just submitted a research proposal for funding to conduct my own individual project! Outside of school, I enjoy lifting, playing volleyball, swimming, and playing the piano. I compete and lead the ROTC intramural volleyball team, ruck with the Bataan team, and I help tutor fellow peers. Last summer, I completed an Army research internship focusing on integrating human neural functions into artificial intelligence, and took the MCAT as I started my medical school application process.

➡️ What does Scholarly mean to you and how do you live it?

Being scholarly goes beyond performing well in class—it means applying what I learn to real aspects of my life. It reflects a commitment to being well-rounded, developing strong critical-thinking skills, and managing my time effectively. I live this by approaching every opportunity with curiosity, staying disciplined in my studies, and consistently seeking ways to connect what I learn to real situations in my life.

➡️ What motivates you?

My family. After immigrating to the States, my parents had little money for education leaving them with limited opportunities. They began to save and work hard to provide for me and my brother. I want to repay that by meeting their potential and pursuing something that they hold to high value, while also following my passions and interests. As the older sibling, I strive to set an example and be someone my brother is proud of.

➡️ Fun Fact?

I’m naturally ambidextrous, which is super useful in volleyball, helping me play in (and win) some professional tournaments!

➡️ Lastly, if you could share one thing about the Surfrider Battalion, what would it be?

The Surfrider Battalion consists of the most accepting and hard-working people I’ve ever met, and the growth that each of us has experienced reflects the support, discipline, and camaraderie that define this community.

We’re back Surfriders! As begin to ramp up our training this Winter quarter, here are some of our favorite flicks from our Fall FTX at camp SLO last quarter:

Slide 1: Cadet Bailey begins his descent down the rappel tower
2: CDT Hamel tackles the confidence climb
3: CDT Trebotich crawls underneath the low crawl obstacle
4: CDT Clardy tosses a practice gr***de from the kneeling position
5: CDT Khatami works to move equipment up an obstacle at the Field Leadership Reaction Course (FLRC)
6: Cadets complete a tactical road ruck march
7: Cadets plot their points and plan an efficient route before stepping off for land navigation
8: CDT Mahl works with other cadets to move a casualty through an obstacle at the FLRC
9: CDT Mahl dropping down the repel tower
10: CDT Khatami working together with another cadet through an obstacle at the FLRC
11: A cadet treks through the Camp SLOs sparse landscape in search of their land nav points
12: CDT Hamel begins her descent down the repel tower
13: CDT Lee makes her way down the cargo net at the tough one obstacle
14: CDT Bilbrey perched atop an obstacle at the FLRC
15: A cadet tosses a practice gr***de into a bunker
16: Cadets work through a challenging puzzle at the FLRC
17: Cadets stepping off for a tactical road march
18: A cadet descends through the early morning fog
19: CDT Bergseid strikes a pose as he prepares to throw a practice gr***de
20: Cadets plot their points before stepping off for land navigation

Stay tuned to get more updates about what our incredible cadets are getting up to this quarter!

surfriders ftx rappel ocourse flrc