News Article

The Bulldog Battalion, Gonzaga University’s Army ROTC unit, ranks among the top 15 percent of all 272 ROTC programs at colleges and universities nationwide for the 2004-2005 school year.

“This accomplishment demonstrates excellence in the overall Army ROTC program and the hard work and competence of Gonzaga University cadets,” said Army Maj. Gen. W. Montague Winfield.

The ROTC battalions being recognized were the most successful of all units nationwide in accomplishing their mission of training and commissioning the majority of lieutenants entering the Army each year. The Bulldog Battalion, which received the coveted MacArthur Award for the previous two (2003 and 2004) years, designating it as among the top programs in the country, has been a consistently high performing program.

The Army’s Cadet Command selects the outstanding battalions within the Eastern and Western Reserve Officer Training Corps regions each year. MacArthur Awards are presented to battalions based on their enrollment and are categorized as small, medium and large detachments.

Lt. Col. Allen Patty, professor of military science at Gonzaga, said, “At Gonzaga, we are fortunate, in that we are seeking the same Scholar-Athlete-Leaders that are competitive for admission to both Gonzaga University and Whitworth College. We actively seek those who demonstrate the passion, commitment, and endurance to serve the nation and their community. This truly is the best leadership course you can take.” Patty has been with the unit since January 2005 and said he is proud to help the Army develop tomorrow’s leaders.

The Bulldog Battalion consists of 95 students, most of whom attend GU, with some students from Whitworth College and the Intercollegiate College of Nursing. A total of 23 members of the Class of 2006 will join the Army officer corps this year. Commissioning of new lieutenants will occur at 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 12 in the Globe Room of Cataldo Hall at GU.

ROTC teaches students how to succeed in today’s competitive world by providing them with realistic and hands-on leadership and management skills that last a lifetime. Many graduates attribute their successful careers in government and industry to the training that they received as ROTC cadets.

Among the distinguished graduates of ROTC are former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. Students at nearly 1,200 other institutions of higher learning also participate in Army ROTC training through partnership agreements with one of the 272 ROTC programs. Since ROTC was established in 1916, more than 500,000 men and women have gone on to become Army officers through Army ROTC.

For more information, contact the GU ROTC at (509) 323-6517.