Harvard ROTC Unit Named Best in Nation

Beating out more than 270 other units, Harvard's Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) unit received the title of most outstanding in the nation yesterday.

Though the Paul Revere battalion has received other awards in the past, such as the top training award from the U.S. Army for the superior training scores of its cadets, this is the first time it has been honored as the most outstanding in the nation.

Harvard students comprise 50 percent of the Paul Revere battalion, which also includes students from MIT, Tufts University and Wellesley College.

In a small ceremony held yesterday afternoon at MIT, the battalion was honored for the quality of its leadership training program, its above-target record in commissioning lieutenants into the army and its superior scores in field training camps this past summer.

The award is given annually by the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America, a private organization dedicated to perpetuating the remembrance of the founding fathers.

Danielle Boudreau '01, commander of the Paul Revere Battalion this year, accepted the award on behalf of her fellow cadets.

Beyond exceptional military service, Boudreau said in a press release yesterday that the members of the battalion were distinguished by their intellect.

"Consisting of students from Harvard, Tufts, MIT and Wellesley, Paul Revere had cadets from the most renowned educational institutions in the world," Boudreau said. "This scholarly ability combined with personal drive and initiative allows our cadets to become successful leaders."

Other members of Paul Revere also noted that the battalion is not your ordinary ROTC unit.

"Compared to many of the other ROTC units, the Paul Revere Battalion demands less time commitment," said Lawrence A. Obst '01, a cadet. "However, the quality of the teaching in our battalion ensures that we are just as competitive as cadets from other schools."

Members of the battalion also said they hoped the honor would help to build morale in the future.

"The honor of being named the number one battalion in the nation gives us momentum for the fall semester," said Justin Porter '99, who gave the ceremony's opening remarks.

Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 and Assistant Dean of the College David P. Illingworth '71were present at the awards ceremony.

"I am proud of the Harvard students who are involved in this MIT battalion," Illingworth said in an interview.