Lusk Inducted into NC State Army ROTC Hall of Fame, Speaks at Commencement

RALEIGH, NC (12/22/2010)(readMedia)-- Army Maj. Gen. Gregory A. Lusk, the North Carolina National Guard Adjutant General, visited his alma mater Dec. 17 to accept induction into N.C. State University's Army ROTC Wolfpack Wall-of-Fame and to speak at the commencement ceremony for eight new graduating second lieutenants.

In order to be eligible for the wall, one must graduate and be commissioned from N.C. State Army ROTC, have attained the rank of Colonel, or achieved great status as civilian, such as mayor.

Lusk gained his commission through N.C. State in 1982, a class that included Army Col. (Ret.) W. Todd Boyd, former N.C. Army National Guard Chief of Staff, and current Brigadier General David Jeannette, Army Forces Commander N.C. Army National Guard, among others.

"That was a very powerful class that year," Lusk said. "That legacy continues every year with a new officer or a cadet that graduates out of ROTC."

Lusk joins Army Gen. (Ret.) Henry Hugh Shelton, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Army Gen. Maxwell R. Thurman, former commander of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command; and Gen. Dan K. McNeill, former Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) among others, on the wall.

"Thank you for this very memorable and honorable moment just to come back in these hallways again after so many years," said Lusk. "Now I'll be here forever."

After the ceremony, Lusk proceeded immediately to the McKimmon Center to speak to the new Army ROTC graduates.

"You represent the best of America and are truly a minority when realizing that less than one percent of our citizens are willing to serve our country, in uniform, at any time – much less during this critical period of conflict," said Lusk. "Your values, patriotism and willingness to serve makes you strong as an individual. Your joining the ranks of the strong will only further cement the resolve of our Army's commitment to fight and win our Nation's war."

The N.C. State Army ROTC program consists of a voluntary two-year basic course and a two-year advanced course at the university, which includes a five-week summer camp prior to the final year. It's a partnership of an academic organization and the military, coming together to develop young military leaders.

ROTC training goes beyond the typical college classroom in that students will not only learn skills one would expect to find in an Army officer, including how to motivate co-workers, cope with the unexpected and organize large, complex tasks, but they will also learn skills such as teamwork, tact and effective communication which are in demand in both the civilian and business world.

"It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It's been four and a half years; there have been rough spots, but I finally made it," said Army 2nd Lt. Jared Davis, one of three new lieutenants headed into the North Carolina National Guard. "I'm really looking forward to getting started with my new unit."

Family members joined them on stage to pin the second lieutenant rank on the cadets. Even at attention, one could see the excitement in their faces for the possibilities to come.

"Now I have an opportunity to get in the civilian industry and learn things that I'll be able to apply to the military-side of things," said Army 2nd Lt. John Fowler, who's already been with a unit and had some time to develop expectations from the Soldiers. "From what I've seen in the 30th Heavy Brigade combat team, I expect them all to be high-speed individuals that know their job and how things are done."

Army 2nd Lt. Danielle Scharle also participated in the commencement. She is slotted to join the 514th Military Police Company, while Fowler is headed to Company E 1st Battalion130th Aviation Regiment and Davis to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 1/113th Field Artillery Battalion.

For more information on NCSU's program, check out their website: http://studentaffairs.ncsu.edu/rotc/army/mission.html