Campus Connection

[caption id="attachment_4291" align="alignleft" width="347"] Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson was greeted by UW-L’s ROTC Eagle Battalion and members of the local media when he arrived on campus Nov. 8.[/caption] The U.S. Army changed its decision regarding the elimination of UW-La Crosse’s Eagle Battalion Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. Instead of ending the program, The Eagle Battalion will be put on probation for two years while the Army re-evaluates its elimination decision, UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow announced Friday, Nov. 8. “This is welcome news, as it means our battalion may be able to make modifications and secure Army approval to remain a permanent program on our campus,” Gow wrote in an email to campus. UW-L is still waiting to hear the Army's specific requirements, and will then determine how to take the steps needed to secure the future of the program, Gow said. UW-L’s ROTC Battalion Commader Lt. Col. James Hill says he is confident the program can meet the requirements. UW-L’s program has a record of producing great leaders that the Army needs, he added. “We’ll find a way to make this work out,” he said. “This is an upbeat day.” Program closure would mean that UW-L juniors and seniors could finish the program, but freshmen and sophomores would need to drop out or find a different ROTC program. [caption id="attachment_4292" align="alignleft" width="549"] UW-L student Tyler Hyde meets Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson Nov. 8 at UW-L.[/caption] Nearly all of the ROTC freshmen and sophomores had planned on a transferring to other schools with ROTC programs to continue training, explained Hill. UW-L sophomore Donald Patnode was planning to go to UW-Whitewater, but was excited to hear he may not need to. The program has taught him about leadership, time management, friendship and balancing school and life, he said. “I’m established here. I didn’t want to transfer,” explained Patnode. “I love this school.” [caption id="attachment_4293" align="alignright" width="300"] From left UW-L’s ROTC Battalion Commader Lt. Col. James Hill, Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow meeting during Johnson’s visit to campus in November[/caption] Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson visited the ROTC Eagle Battalion Nov. 8. In an ROTC program conference room, students in the program shared with Johnson why they joined ROTC. Patnode explained how his grandparents served their country, and he wanted to carry on the legacy. UW-L’s ROTC program in particular was attractive to student Tyler Hyde because of UW-L’s strong athletics and academic reputation. In October the U.S. Army notified UW-L that the university’s Eagle Battalion ROTC program would be eliminated in two years because of a reduction in Army resources. The Army's reconsideration of its decision was due in large part to the advocacy of Johnson, Congressman Ron Kind and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Gow noted. “As a result of their strong and bipartisan support, we now have an opportunity to save our program,” he says.

ROTC Eagle Battalion history

UW-L’s ROTC Eagle Battalion has been on campus for more than 40 years. View a list of alumni and past photos.  The program offers students from UW-L as well as neighboring Viterbo, St. Mary’s and Winona State universities the opportunity to develop leadership traits imperative to success in both the military and civilian sectors. Students learn firsthand what it means to lead and manage. They also learn keen analytical skills, use of short- and long range planning techniques and excellent interpersonal management skills.