Battalion History

The PSU Army ROTC organized on 1 June, 1952. Until 1970, ROTC was a required program of study for all freshmen and sophomore students. In 1952-53, 355 students attended ROTC instruction. In 1970, ROTC became a voluntary course of study. To date, PSU ROTC has commissioned 1118 cadets as 2nd Lieutenants into the US Army, Army Reserves and National Guard.

Six former cadets of PSU have been assigned to the University ROTC program at various time, among them are: Colonel Bill Hollenbeck, Colonel Bob Harris, Lieutenant Colonel Stu Powell, Lieutenant Colonel Ed West, Lieutenant Colonel Ed Kelly and Lieutenant Kurt Long were graduates of the Pittsburg State University ROTC Program. Other prominent former PSU cadets include LTG (R) Watts, LTG (R) Rutherford and MG (P) Hood, BG (R) Aubuchon.

Gorilla Battalion Cadets participate in class and labs learning leadership and management skills, two Field Training Exercise a year, Ranger Challenge (a team oriented military skills competition), various social functions, Honor Guard presenting the colors at university and community functions, and the time-honored Cannon Crew at football games. Cadets participate in the Leadership Development Assessment Course between the Junior and Senior year at Ft. Lewis, WA. There they put to use and are evaluated on the skills they have learned over the past three years.