Wiesbaden High School – Warrior Battalion hosts Military Ball

Writer – C/SGT Trevor Savage

Photographer –

Point of Contact – (SAI/AI Names): LTC (Ret) Jon A. Ring and SGM (Ret) Allen Ashton

On the 1st of March, 2025 the Warrior Battalion held their annual military ball at the Pentahotel in Wiesbaden. This event was intended to expose and introduce cadets to formal events and life skills such as formal etiquette. The cadets were encouraged to bring a guest for the purpose of learning to host company and to celebrate the actions of the Warrior Battalion this year.

In preparation for the military ball, cadets were given dancing lessons. Cadets were taught the basics of waltzing, how to dance the “Cotton Eye Joe”, and many more. The Battalion instructors, LTC (Ret.) Ring and SGM (Ret.) Ashton, gave pointers for conversation and etiquette at a formal event during class. This prepared cadets both for the event and for formal events later in life, teaching them skills applicable to their futures.

Social hour started around 17:00. The rooms were filled with pleasant conversation. Cadets and guests were free to enjoy the refreshments provided by the staff of Pentahotel. There was an arcade machine, a ping – pong table, and a foosball table that cadets and guests were free to use to entertain themselves. A guest by the name of Timothy Savage said this “It was fun, I really enjoyed playing fighting games on the arcade machine.” A receiving line was formed following the initial social portion to welcome cadets and guests, and to introduce guests to Warrior Battalion leaders.

After the receiving line cadets and guests were welcomed, the color guard posted the colors, and the national anthem was sung. LTC (ret.) Ring gave a few remarks about the current state of the battalion and of up – coming events such as the Remagen trip. LTC (ret.) Ring also went on to share his and his wife’s experience about coming to Germany, and what class was like during Quarantine. The room was then addressed by a pair of guest speakers. After the address, both LTC (ret.) Ring and SGM (Ret.) Ashton were awarded with the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award. A great achievement and one that they both deserve. With the retiring of the colors, the informal portion of the night began. On the 1st of March, 2025 the Warrior Battalion held their annual military ball at the Pentahotel in Wiesbaden. This event was intended to expose and introduce cadets to formal events and life skills such as formal etiquette. The cadets were encouraged to bring a guest for the purpose of learning to host company and to celebrate the actions of the Warrior Battalion this year.

In preparation for the military ball, cadets were given dancing lessons. Cadets were taught the basics of waltzing, how to dance the “Cotton Eye Joe”, and many more. The Battalion instructors, LTC (Ret.) Ring and SGM (Ret.) Ashton, gave pointers for conversation and etiquette at a formal event during class. This prepared cadets both for the event and for formal events later in life, teaching them skills applicable to their futures.

Social hour started around 17:00. The rooms were filled with pleasant conversation. Cadets and guests were free to enjoy the refreshments provided by the staff of Pentahotel. There was an arcade machine, a ping – pong table, and a foosball table that cadets and guests were free to use to entertain themselves. A guest by the name of Timothy Savage said this “It was fun, I really enjoyed playing fighting games on the arcade machine.” A receiving line was formed following the initial social portion to welcome cadets and guests, and to introduce guests to Warrior Battalion leaders.

After the receiving line cadets and guests were welcomed, the color guard posted the colors, and the national anthem was sung. LTC (ret.) Ring gave a few remarks about the current state of the battalion and of up – coming events such as the Remagen trip. LTC (ret.) Ring also went on to share his and his wife’s experience about coming to Germany, and what class was like during Quarantine. The room was then addressed by a pair of guest speakers. After the address, both LTC (ret.) Ring and SGM (Ret.) Ashton were awarded with the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award. A great achievement and one that they both deserve. With the retiring of the colors, the informal portion of the night began.

During the informal portion, cadets and guests were able to dance the night away. With C/SGT Tyson Powell saying “I really enjoy the music,” and Cadet Kyran Latham disclosing “ It’s nice. I like it. The atmosphere is enjoyable.” The night was a resounding success, and provided cadets with the opportunity to incorporate more of what they learned in the classroom into a social scene. I myself have this to say “It was an honor to be able to attend the final military ball with LTC (ret.) Ring as Senior Army instructor. The night was a joy, and I will likely have fond memories of it.”

During the informal portion, cadets and guests were able to dance the night away. With C/SGT Tyson Powell saying “I really enjoy the music,” and Cadet Kyran Latham disclosing “ It’s nice. I like it. The atmosphere is enjoyable.” The night was a resounding success, and provided cadets with the opportunity to incorporate more of what they learned in the classroom into a social scene. I myself have this to say “It was an honor to be able to attend the final military ball with LTC (ret.) Ring as Senior Army instructor. The night was a joy, and I will likely have fond memories of it.”