Kay Payne
308.865.8199
A University of Nebraska at Kearney sophomore biology major is one of only five Nebraska ROTC cadets in the nation selected for a Culture Understand and Language Proficiency (CULP) deployment this coming June.
“I am very excited about this deployment,” said Stacia Kluever, who was recently notified of her selection.
“When I applied in November, I never actually thought I would get accepted,” she said, modestly. “I am grateful for this awesome opportunity.”
Kluever will be deployed to Brazil for three-four weeks of active duty for the professional development training. While there, she will be involved in humanitarian assistance opportunities and/or service learning projects designed to maximize her exposure to day-to-day life in Brazil. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Army Cadet Command and helps these future leaders prepare to make better decisions not only in the best interest of the U.S., but also for the indigenous populations of other countries. Cadets selected for these summer internships are exposed to the people, language, and traditions to help dispel stereotypes and build mutual respect.
“The process to be chosen for this program is highly selective and merit based,” said Capt. Kaylene Vieselmeyer, assistant professor of Military Science at UNK. “We look for the scholar, athlete and leader, and Stacia is all of that. She is also a four-year scholarship recipient for our program.”
A UNK Honors Program student, Kluever is majoring in biology with a health emphasis in pre-med studies. In addition, she is an alum of the UNK Chancellor’s Leadership Class and is a percussionist with the UNK Wind Ensemble. In the fall, she played snare drum in the marching band drumline. She is the daughter of Charlotte Kluever and Nick Kluever, who are of Union, Iowa.
The application process includes cumulative university grade point average as well as the grade point average earned in Military Science courses, physical fitness scores, and the approval of, and a letter of support from, the local ROTC professor of Military Science. Applications are evaluated by the Cadet Command review board in Fort Knox, Ky., and 400-500 cadets are selected from among the more than 1,000 applicants to serve in one of 25 different locations around the world.
