For Release
May 11, 2005

Citadel Army ROTC program selected "Best in the East"

           The Citadel's Army ROTC program has been named No. 1 in the region, edging out 124 other programs.           

Lt. Col. Rob Carrow (right) accepts the Order of Founders and Patriots of America Award recognizing The Citadel's Army ROTC detachment as the best in the region, including fellow institutions like VMI, Norwich University and Valley Forge Military Academy. Presenting the award is Joseph Norcross, governor of the order's Carolina Chapter.

           The Citadel's program received the prestigious Order of Founders and Patriots of America Award from the U.S. Army's Cadet Command, based in Fort Monroe near Newport, Va., on May 6. The Palmetto Battalion was recognized for increases in enrollment, the number of commissioned officers and the quality and performance of cadets in national leadership competitions for the 2003-2004 academic year.

           The increases in recruitment and the accolades come at a time when all branches of the military are facing declining numbers of recruits and increasing need due to conflicts overseas.

           In 2004, The Citadel's Army program commissioned 60 second lieutenants and had a total enrollment of 253 senior cadets. That's a marked improvement since 2000 when the unit commissioned just 27 second lieutenants and had a senior enrollment of 161 cadets.

           The Army annually recognizes the top ROTC programs in the two regions nationwide. Other military college ROTC programs in the East include Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Norwich University and Valley Forge Military Academy.

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