Ohio State Army ROTC wins General Douglas MacArthur Award
Buckeye Battalion is one of eight Army ROTC units recognized as a top unit in the country
“Buckeyes lead the way” is the motto of The Ohio State University Army ROTC program. That determination helped the unit win the General Douglas MacArthur Award for 2017-18.
The MacArthur Award was instituted in 1989 to honor the top U.S. Army Senior ROTC battalion from each of the eight Cadet Command brigades. The awards, presented by Cadet Command and the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Foundation, recognize the ideals of “duty, honor and country” as advocated by MacArthur. The award is based on a combination of the achievement of the school's commissioning mission, cadet performance and standing on the command's National Order of Merit List, and cadet retention rate.
Ohio State’s Army ROTC was rated best overall after a review of its performance in five categories: Overall Commission Mission Achieved, Order of Merit Scores Achieved, New Contracts Achieved, Cadet Summer Training 2018 Performance, and Accessions Distinguished Military Graduates Achieved.
During the award ceremony on March 26, University President Michael V. Drake congratulated the cadets and thanked them for their leadership and commitment to excellence.
“Your dedication and courage are exemplary. We appreciate that very, very much.
“This award is a reflection of all that you have achieved and the example that you have set for our future generations of aspiring leaders here at The Ohio State University and beyond,” said Drake.
The award was presented by Col. David C. Welch, 7th Brigade Commander, U.S. Army Cadet Command, who told cadets that competition for the MacArthur Award is tough – there are only seven other battalions in the nation, out of 275 battalions in the country, to receive the recognition. He also expressed thanks to the university for their partnership.
“I am thankful for The Ohio State University ROTC program and Ohio State University leadership who have continued to demonstrate that each is doing their part in the preservation of our freedom through the investment in these Army ROTC cadets – the future leaders of our army.
“The Ohio State University is a leadership factory,” said Welch.
Joining Ohio State as winners of this year’s MacArthur Award are Virginia Military Institute, the University of Vermont, the University of Virginia, University of Texas at Austin, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Pacific Lutheran University.
