BYU’s Army ROTC has a lasting tradition of producing top military leaders. Founded in 1968, BYU’s program has become the largest in the nation. In January 2016, the program received the Geronimo Award, an honor given to the best large-level program within the seven-state region. As of last year, fifty percent of BYU Army ROTC graduates ranked in the top twenty percent of graduates nationwide.
At the top of the BYU battalion, which includes cadets from BYU, UVU, SUU, and Dixie State, stands Chase Dowse, a senior majoring in geospatial intelligence who recently received the George C. Marshall ROTC Award for leadership. Dowse has served in numerous leadership positions including, company commander over all BYU and UVU Army ROTC cadets last semester.
“The major benefit of ROTC is the hands-on leadership experience,” Dowse says. “It’s been a great growing experience, and I’ve really been able to improve and develop. Hopefully I’ll be able to become someone who can really contribute in the army.”
Every year, the top cadet from each of the 275 senior ROTC programs receives the George C. Marshall ROTC Award for their academic accomplishments, physical capabilities, and leadership contributions to the battalion. These cadets demonstrate leadership and scholastic qualities that exemplify the career of General George C. Marshall. Marshall served as Chief of Staff for the United States Army and received the Nobel Peace Prize after successfully implementing the Marshall Plan to eradicate hunger and poverty in war-torn Europe after World War II.
The cadre selected Dowse to receive the award from a pool of 101 cadets in the battalion. Dowse achieved the highest score on the Order of Merit list, completed advanced courses, and led the battalion in the Ranger Challenge, an annual physical and academic competition for ROTC cadets.
“Since joining ROTC I’ve had the opportunity to learn, to grow in character, and to really see what it takes to lead in the army and in general,” Dowse says.
Dowse will fly to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to receive the George C. Marshall award and to participate in symposiums and round-table discussions on leadership with high-ranking army officials.
Cadets will receive instruction from contemporary civilian and military leaders on subjects ranging from critical defense and geopolitical matters to the profession of arms.
“It’s a huge honor, and I’m super excited about it,” Dowes says. “Being able to sit with people who are influential in the army will help prepare me for my future twenty years down the road.”
