Even after 100 years, the UO Army ROTC program is still breaking ground by earning honors and creating new opportunities for their students and the community around them.
On Feb. 16, the program earned one of the highest ROTC honors from the U.S. Army, the General Douglas MacArthur Award, awarded to units that “recognize the ideals of ‘duty, honor and country,’” according to the U.S. Army website.
“The award is a reflection of the department’s dedicated cadre and staff, the quality of our cadets and the support we get from the university community. We should all take pride,” said UO professor of military science Col. Lance Englet.
It’s the first time The Webfoot Warriors have earned the MacArthur Award, and to keep with the tradition of firsts during their centennial, the program is also hosting and participating in a couple of new events this year.
UO ROTC will host a 100th anniversary 5-kilometer run April 23, and it will be open to students, alumni and ROTC members. More information about the event will be available on a future website, but for now the UO ROTC Facebook page will post any registration information for the 5k in the next week.
“With this event and others, we’re hoping to energize our alumni in our 100th year,” Said Col. Englet. “It’s also just a great way for us to be more involved in our surrounding community, which is important to us and reflects the rich diversity of the university as a whole.”
Along with the community involvement at the 5K, 17 local businesses are also helping UO ROTC go to the annual Bataan Memorial Death March for the first time. During spring break, five student cadets, military science professor Cpt. Doug Bryant and Maj. Ryan McBride will head to White Sands, New Mexico, where they’ll pack and carry 35 pounds of non-perishable food for 26.2 miles. The food was donated by the 17 local businesses, and at the end the all-volunteer team will donate the non-perishable food items to a food bank.
According to Englet, the ROTC and university have ties to the historical Bataan Death March. The ROTC cadet lounge is dedicated to Ralph Amato Jr., UO Class of 1938, who survived the 65-mile trek and was later killed in action in the Pacific. With family approval, the students will take an item to add to the White Sands museum in Amato’s honor.
Earning the MacArthur Award, hosting a 5K and going to the Bataan Memorial Death March are just some of the ways the UO ROTC is having a positive effect on the Eugene community while also cementing their mission of providing leadership training to all interested UO students.
“What we’re trying to do is positively reflect the diversity of the university,” Englet said. “As a proud graduate and alumni of this program, I think it imperative we remain active in the community and on campus. There is a rich and unique history that all Ducks can be proud of.”
For more information about the program, its history or ways to partner in the development of cadets, contact them directly at 541- 346-3102 or on the UO ROTC Facebook page.
—By Craig Garcia, University Communications intern