Summer 2022
“Army strong”
Like grandfather, like father, like son in the Washington State University ROTC program » More ...
ROTC
Summer 2022
The tradition of WSU Cougar Battalion
Since 1892, Army ROTC—the Cougar Battalion—has continuously been a key part of what is now Washington State University.
The Department of Military Science was one of the eight original departments at the Washington Agricultural College. Military science courses were required for all male students as part of the Morrill Land Grant Act until 1976, when an all-volunteer military was established. An estimated 10,000 students have participated as cadets and WSU ROTC has produced over 7,000 lieutenants for the US Army.
Timeline of WSU Army ROTC (PDF)
Notable Cougar Battalion moments, leaders, and cadets
January 13, 1892: The … » More …
Summer 2021
Pilots for the presidents
On parallel paths as Marine Corps helicopter pilots, Jeff Tontini and Dan Ircink took to the skies. » More ...
Summer 2003
Gassing up in the Wild Blue: Cadets get a taste of their future
Fall 2002
Each on his own merits
Identical triplets Donald, Jack, and Joseph Claros appear to be mirror images—5 feet, 4 inches tall, 125 pounds, whitewall haircuts, small wire rimmed glasses. They are soft-spoken, polite, and typically respond to questions from their elders with a “Yes sir” or “No madam.” Sometimes they dress the same—camouflage fatigues or dress green uniforms—as Army ROTC cadets at Washington State University.
Jack (architectural studies) and Donald (communications) received their degrees and Army commissions May 11. Joseph switched from interior design to communications. He will graduate in December.
The military has been a means to an end for the brothers, helping them finance their college education and … » More …
Summer 2002
“Adapt, improvise, overcome”
“They know the war on terrorism won’t go away, even when we finish in Afghanistan.” —Lt. Col. James M. Zuba
A four-by-two-foot map of Asia is tacked to a wall of Army Lt. Col. James M. Zuba’s office. Forty-five blue dots designate locations in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia where his infantry unit spent 36 months from 1992 to 1995 searching for U.S. MIAs and POWs.
Earlier, he commanded rifle companies for seven months in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Now he is now completing his 18th year in the Army, and his first as professor and chair of military science at Washington State University. He … » More …