The Northwestern State University Army ROTC held an Activation Ceremony for the 74th Demon Battalion Thursday, August 24. Each year since 1951, NSU’s ARMY ROTC activates its cadet battalion as the graduating class leaves NSU and goes on to serve, carrying on a tradition of excellence and service.
Each year, the Demon battalion has a streamer with the current battalion’s number on it. The streamer is traditionally in the color of one of the Army’s branches. This year the flag’s streamer was in the maroon of the Medical Service Corps. The flag and battalion streamer were uncased for the first time by incoming cadet commander, Cadet LTC Loren Higginbotham. Cadet Higginbotham is a senior business major from Jennings, LA and is engaged to fellow NSU senior and education major Keeley Trahan. He is looking to branch Infantry upon graduation.
It was a busy summer indeed for the hard-working young men and women of NSU Army ROTC! Five cadets completed Army ROTC Advanced Camp, with one earning honors as being in the top 15 percent of the class. One cadet completed Basic Camp. Two cadets graduated from the arduous Air Assault School, termed the “Ten Toughest Days in the Army”. Three cadets completed the Cadet Troop Leadership Training internship program in which the cadets are sent to active army units throughout the nation to put their classroom lessons into practice.
One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of scholarships for the second year from the Wise Foundation to three NSU Army cadets. The scholarships, named in honor of the late Major General Erbon W. Wise, former Adjutant General of Louisiana and NSU Alumnus, are intended to help first and second-year cadets who are awaiting contracting meet their college expenses.
Army ROTC is a superb complement to anyone’s college education. The young men and women of NSU’s Army ROTC learn much about themselves as they meet the challenges of their regular college studies and ROTC classes. There are summer training opportunities as varied as parachuting and rappelling out of helicopters as well as unparalleled leadership training. There are opportunities to have your entire education paid for and have a job as an Army officer upon graduation. Ready to grow, get better and earn a scholarship? Call 318-357-6501.
