Drilled to Write: Becoming a Cadet Writer at a Senior Military College Volume 1

Drilled to Write is a longitudinal case study that follows one cadet, Logan Blackwell, for four years and explores how he conceptualizes Army writing and Army genres through immersion in military science classes, tactical exercises, and specialized programs. It demonstrates how cadets leverage resources through Army ROTC to become cadet writers, developing genre awareness and flexibility while forging a personal identity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: University Press of Colorado

Drilled to Write: Navigating Army Writing at a Senior Military College

Drilled to Write provides a comprehensive exploration of the unique challenges faced by US Army cadets when navigating the realm of Army writing at a senior military college. In this longitudinal case study, J. Michael Rifenburg delves into the journey of one cadet, Logan Blackwell, over a span of four years. Through immersive experiences in military science classes, tactical exercises in the Appalachian Mountains, and specialized programs like Airborne School, Blackwell develops a profound understanding of Army writing and its various genres. Drawing upon research in rhetorical genre studies, writing transfer, and materiality, Drilled to Write offers valuable insights to scholars in writing studies who are dedicated to capturing how students perceive their own writing development.

Collectively, the chapters in this book articulate four key strategies that Blackwell employed through his participation in Army ROTC to emerge as a skilled cadet writer at the military college. Each chapter focuses on a specific year of his undergraduate experience, with a particular emphasis on curricular writing for his business management major and military science classes, as well as his extracurricular writing, including the bylaws of his Ballroom Dance Club and a three-thousand-word short story. By examining these chapters, readers are invited to gain a deeper understanding of how cadets are positioned between civilian and military life, a curiously liminal space where they undergo a transformative process of growth as writers.

Through his use of Army ROTC as a gateway into genre theory and broader discussions about the role of higher education in shaping Army officers, Rifenburg showcases how writing students develop genre awareness and flexibility while also forging a strong personal identity. Drilled to Write serves as a valuable resource for educators, administrators, and students alike, offering valuable insights into the complexities of Army writing and its impact on the development of aspiring military leaders.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781646422777