Big Year for Santa Clara ROTC
The Santa Clara ROTC has plenty to celebrate this year, with events to mark the 100 years of our national ROTC program, an inspiring visit from current Commanding General of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, General David G. Perkins, and the promotion of Santa Clara’s own Master Sergeant Jacoby Gadson to Sergeant Major.
The 100-year anniversary gives the organization the opportunity to come together with alumni classes from Stanford, San Jose State, and U.C. Santa Cruz to reflect on the accomplishments of their collaborative efforts. In addition to celebrating all who helped build this program, the event will also serve as the kickoff of the newly founded Bronco Battalion ROTC Alumni Association. The festivities take place at the Silicon Valley Capital Club on April 29. Tickets are available here.
Another important event was a visit from the highly decorated General Perkins. In addition to his distinguished military experience that includes three tours in Iraq, General Perkins holds a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, and a master’s in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. General Perkins is one of only 211 four-star generals in the history of the U.S. Army who achieved that rank while on active duty in the service.
During his visit, he addressed mission command and leadership development with the cadets. The General spoke to the importance of a soldier’s actions, emphasizing that they are judged by what they do in times of crisis—not by what they know. He also emphasized the need to always pursue results in a positive manner so as to win with dignity, and to protect your inheritance of trust by never squandering it in a selfish act.
Further cause for celebration was the announcement that SCU’s own Master Sergeant Jacoby Gadson is being promoted to Sergeant Major in June. His promotion is particularly notable, as only 1% of enlisted soldiers achieve this rank in their career. With twenty years of military service in total, MSG Gadson spent the 2014-2015 school year at Santa Clara.