Norwich University Cadet Receives National Leadership Award

“To win this AMCSUS award after having the honor of attending the VMI Leadership and Ethics Conference last year gives me a perspective on some of the others exhibiting excellence who were considered for this award,” said Berg. “I am truly grateful to God, my parents, and my mentors who have gotten me to where I am. There were goals that I had set for myself during my time at Norwich and this one took me by surprise. I am humbled to receive this honor.”

Berg, who is Navy ROTC and spent the past summer undergoing Navy summer cruise training aboard the USS Wayne E. Meyer DDG108, has been committed to the Norwich way of life since he first set foot on The Hill as a Rook. He was promptly promoted to corporal as an assistant squad leader following his first year on campus, which was then followed up by his promotion and leadership as first sergeant of the upper-class Alpha Company during his junior year. His leadership efforts in this company were recognized when his peers voted him the recipient of the Alpha Company Leadership Award, when it was stated that “He clearly understood his roles and responsibilities as a company first sergeant, supports the overall mission of the Corps, and is not afraid to make a decision.” During his junior year, he was awarded the 2023-24 Confessore Leadership trophy for demonstrating the highest leadership as a first sergeant in the Corps of Cadets. Today, his efforts have continued as he has risen to command sergeant major for 1st Battalion, which is comprised of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta Companies.

He has additionally received honors that combine his academic prowess with his potential as a sailor. As a rising senior, cadet, and midshipman, he received the Bernard A. Schriever Award Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association ROTC Leadership award in recognition of his outstanding officer potential. This award highlights individuals like Berg who are majoring in scientific and technical fields. Reinforcing his qualifications for this past award are his efforts over the past three summers as an intern conducting chemistry research for the U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center in Natick, Massachusetts.

Though he has spent a few years on The Hill already, his connection to Norwich University runs deeper than his own journey in Northfield. “With my father being a veteran of the U.S. Navy and my uncle being an alumnus of the Class of 1989, Norwich was an easy choice,” he said. “The opportunity to experience hands-on leadership at magnitudes that are impossible to achieve in a typical school environment allows us to have leadership successes – and failures – that we can learn from without worrying about real world consequences.”

“I’ve long been drawn to military service,” said Berg. “My dad, being a veteran, raised me knowing that it is important to take accountability for your actions, good or bad. I think opportunities for academics, athletics, and leadership – as well as a safe space to fail and learn – represented an opportunity that was too good to pass up. It is tough to pick a college because you never know what you will get, but Norwich has exceeded my expectations in every way.”

Berg has taken his opportunities on The Hill and ran with them. In addition to his every-day responsibilities as a student and cadet, he has spent much of his time as a peer tutor for the Center of Academic Success and Achievement and an NCAA wrestler donning the maroon and gold of the Cadets. On the mat, he is one of five Norwich wrestlers who were named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic team while leading the team to an NCAA Division III Team Scholar All-America Top 30. Individually, he was named a Scholar All-American and a new England Wrestling Association All-Conference honorable mention at 197 pounds. To tie it all together with a bow, he was one of six Norwich athletes to receive the honor of Academic All-District at large male sports team. Additionally, he has offered his time and talent as a volunteer coach for the Northfield Ninjas youth wrestling program.

Berg graduates in May and will commission in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare Nuclear ensign and said that “I will do my best to live up to what this award means and continue to represent Norwich to the best of my ability.”