NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

10/13/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- After building one of the region's top ROTC programs, the Demon Battalion at Northwestern State University has several more lofty objectives to meet.

Northwestern's ROTC program was recently honored at a breakfast sponsored by the NSU President's Office which brought campus administrators and some members of the faculty up to date the Demon Battalion.

"I am always pleased to highlight successful departments or programs that provide an enduring legacy of success for Northwestern State University," said NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb. "The Demon Battalion, which was formed in 1950, continues a proud legacy of success and is rated among the best programs in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. This is no small feat considering they compete with larger institutions like Auburn, University of Mississippi, and Louisiana State University. In every measurable area they continue to set the standard."

NSU has a commission mission of 15, but commissioned 19 lieutenants in 2003 and is projected to commission 24 in 2004 and 27 in 2005, according to Webb. The Demon Battalion continues to exceed their brigade, region, and national averages in four performance areas during the National Advanced Leadership Course at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

Webb said the university continues to produce Distinguished Military Students and Distinguished Military Graduates at a rate higher than the national average. To achieve this distinction the student must be in the top 10 percent of the National Order of Merit List compiled and maintained by Cadet Command. Last year's order of merit list contained the names of 3,900 aspiring seniors at 270 colleges and universities. On average an institution would expect to produce about one a year, but Northwestern has consistently had three or four students earning these honors, Webb said.

Seven general officers have come through the ROTC program at NSU including Lt. Gen. Joseph M. Cosumano, Jr., commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and U.S. Army Space Command since April 2001. Cosumano will be inducted into the NSU Hall of Distinction, the Long Purple Line, on Oct. 25.

"We could not accomplish what we have without the support of the university and the people of Natchitoches," said Lt. Col. Claton Chandler, professor of military science at NSU and commander of the Demon Battalion. "The support we received from the faculty and the community is unwavering. We are able to produce the best and brightest leaders in the Army because of the rigorous academics at Northwestern."

The program has 103 cadets, which includes students at partnering schools, LSU-Shreveport, LSU-Alexandria, Centenary and Louisiana College.

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