In 1995 and 1997, the Bulldog Battalion was awarded the Founders and Patriots of American Award for best unit in the region west of the Mississippi River. The annual award is given jointly by the National Order of Founders and Patriots and the U.S. Army Cadet Command to recognize the most outstanding battalions within each of three regions.

As the premier unit in the region, the Bulldog Battalion was presented the 1996, 1998, 2003, and 2004 General Douglas MacArthur Award. This annual award given by the MacArthur Foundation recognizes the top small, medium, and large-sized battalions in the nation.

The Particulars
Once a student has been admitted to Gonzaga University, they must meet only a few basic requirements to participate in the ROTC Basic Course. However, to participate in the Advanced Course or receive an ROTC Scholarship, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Be a United States citizen.

• Be at least 17 years old by October 1 of the year for which he or she is applying for scholarship and under age 26 by June 30 of the year of graduation (this age limit may be extended up to four years for those with prior active military service).

• Be able to complete all commissioning and graduation requirements.

• Be physically fit and medically qualified.

• Achieve minimum SAT/ACT scores of 920 and 19 respectively. (Please note that these minimum scores are a national standard and are not representative of the typical scores needed to obtain admission to Gonzaga University.)

The Privileges
Gonzaga's Military Science Department augments the national ROTC scholarships:

• Scholarships are merit-based and awarded competitively. Well-rounded individuals with strong backgrounds in academics, athletics, and leadership positions have the best opportunity to earn scholarships.

• Recipients of the national $25,000 per year ROTC scholarships who are admitted to Gonzaga are guaranteed full tuition and fees, and on-campus room and board allowances.

• Recipients of the two or three-year on campus ROTC scholarships which students may apply for after enrolling at Gonzaga are guaranteed full tuition and on-campus room and board allowances for the length of the scholarship.

• Students not awarded a four-year scholarship but still interested in military science may apply for two- or three-year ROTC scholarships after enrolling at Gonzaga.

Many extracurricular activities sponsored by the Department help cadets become a cohesive unit:

• Ranger Challenge, ROTC's "varsity sport," is open to all cadets. It features nine-person teams competing in five mentally and physically demanding events. Teams compete against other ROTC units in the region. Gonzaga's Ranger teams have dominated regional competition in recent years.

• Color Guard is a ROTC-sponsored team which presents colors at school, sporting events, and various military and civilian functions.

• ROTC organizes three Blood Drives a year for the Inland Northwest Blood Center and a food drive to support the Second Harvest Food Bank.

• The Department also encourages its students to participate in campus-wide University activities. Cadets participate in intercollegiate and intramural sports, student government, and numerous clubs and organizations.

The People
Gonzaga University's Military Science Department is comprised of commissioned officers and noncommissioned officers with expertise in numerous fields. The cadre members, like the cadets, come from all educational, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity encourages cooperation and understanding, attributes fundamental to success in both military and civilian life.

Serving as faculty, advisors, and mentors to cadets, Gonzaga's Military Science cadre consistently win awards and promotions for their commitment and dedication to their students and the U. S. Army. The Chair of the Department is LTC Allen E Patty, who joined the Bulldog Battalion after successfully training over 8000 National Guard and reserve soldiers for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cadre Contacts and Assignments:

Lieutenant Colonel Allen E. Patty, B.B.A., M.A.O.L.; Commander and Department Chair, Artillery LTC

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Alan D. Westfield, B.S., M.S.A.; Enrollment Officer, Infantry

Major Eric Cusick, B.A., M.S.A.; Executive Officer, Ordnance

Captain Mark Pontif, B.A.; Operations Officer, Transportation

Captain Phillip Fassieux, B.A.; Logistics Officer, Military Intelligence

Master Sergeant Robert Bell; Senior Military Instructor, Armor

Sergeant First Class Duane Hudson; Training Noncommissioned Officers, Infantry