Bronco Alumni

Welcome alumni! If you have any information you would like to submit about yourself, please contact us by email

For a list of Bronco ROTC commissionees by year, click here

If you are interested in the ROTC Alumni Society, click here. Information will be sent to LTC(R) John Colburn.('65)

WALL OF FAME

COL (R) Lew Burchard was inducted into the WMU ROTC Wall of Fame during Homecoming on 5 October 2012. COL Burchard received his commision in June 1965. He served for 23 years both on active duty and the Michigan Army National Guard. In his civilian career, Lew was an educator and education administrator.

Broncos Meet in Afghanistan

We received a letter today from LTC (R) Chuck Jarnot ('80). Here's an excerpt...

I am writing you from a very small remote Fire Base in the Mountains of Afghanistan where I lead a Civilian Contractor cell Flying Tactical Unmanned Aircraft in direct support of a U.S. Army Special Forces ODA Team. I wanted to provide you, your staff and the Cadets with some feedback on one of your program's recent graduates. I discovered that the young Captain in Command, my boss, was like me an alumnus of Western Michigan University Army ROTC, although just a few years junior to meactually he wasn't even born when I was commissioned at Oakland Gym on 19 Apr 1980! Captain Johann Hindert, commissioned from WMU-ROTC in 2003, is an exceptional officer who fought many close engagements with the enemy without losing a soldier. I am very proud to serve under his command and even prouder when I learned he was born a soldier from Bronco ROTC!

COL Clysdale Passes

The Bronco Battalion regrets to inform you that Colonel(Retired) Gene Clysdale, '54, passed away on December 19, 2011 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. Cremation has been completed and a graveside service is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Gene was inducted into the Bronco Battalion Wall of Fame in February 1991. A complete obituary can be viewed here

RUSSELL SCHOLARSHIP ACHIEVES ENDOWED STATUS

December 30, 2011--Today the department received word that a contribution had been made which brought the Captain Drew Russell Memorial Scholarship to full endowment. That means that we can begin to award scholarships from the fund. Drew's classmates wanted to honor him and established a scholarship in his name. The Captain Drew Russell Memorial Scholarship, will be awarded to Bronco Cadets that display academic excellence, patriotic service, and leadership potential; characteristics that were exemplified by CPT Russell. The fund was making good progress through the efforts of our alumni, but got a significant boost from the community. Additional contributions to the fund will allow us to increase the size of the award made to cadets. You may donate to the fund on-line at this site: Captain Drew Russell Fund or by downloading this form and mailing a check.

BRONCO BATTALION MOURNS THE LOSS OF CAPTAIN DREW RUSSELL

Drew Edward Russell was a lifelong resident of Scotts, MI. He had an infectiously positive attitude, and had aspirations of serving his country in the military at a young age. While at Western Michigan University, Drew was a leader both in and out of the classroom. In 2008, Drew graduated with honors, and was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate. After initial training as an Armor Officer, CPT Russell was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Carson, Colorado. Serving an integral role in the planning and execution of combat missions, on 8 October 2011, Drew was killed in an insurgent attack on the outpost his unit was occupying in Afghanistan. Bronco Cadets participated in his internment in Vicksburg Cemetary on 20 October.

WALL OF FAME

COL Rodney Faulk was inducted into the WMU ROTC Wall of Fame 29 April 2011. COL Faulk received his commision in April 1986. He is currently an activated Reserve Officer assigned as Commander, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (Rear), Indianapolis, Indiana. His full time civilian job is as a Project Officer in Systems Acquisition for the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support at Warren, Michigan