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LTC Brian McConnell, Class of 1972
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"My first semester at OU began in late August of 1968. The best choice I made, and the one that paid off, was Army ROTC. Following my father’s path, I set my sights on an Army career through OU Army ROTC, which was a full Brigade in those days with hundreds and hundreds of cadets. When the combined ROTC units paraded, it covered a huge field on the South Base. What a sight to see!
This was a turbulent time for OU and the Nation as the Vietnam War grew and eventually spiraled down to an end just after I graduated. We had hippies! We had young ladies placing flowers in the barrels of our drill rifles. Riots. Weekly bomb threats. Radical speakers and dissidents. Burning cars. The Students for a Democratic Society. Protests. You know? Thinking back, that was some fun! I wouldn’t trade the experience with anyone.
In those years, there were a few ROTC-associated and supported organizations that are not present at OU today, such as Pershing Rifles and Scabbard & Blade. I pledged both but spent a lot of time with my “PR” brothers (we had no female cadets in those days). We were much like a close-knit fraternity without the frat house. We made life-long friends. It’s worth noting that the PR’s were an all-service company-level organization, and, while dominated by Army cadets, we had a strong contingent of Air Force and some Navy/Marine brothers.
The OU Army ROTC program was directly responsible for my growth and maturation. Learning leadership skills and practicing what I learned was the ticket to my growth, and Army ROTC gave me that opportunity. I earned a two-year Army ROTC Scholarship. As a senior, I was a cadet Major and leader in the Leadership Development Course, which prepared juniors for Summer Camp.
By the time I graduated and was commissioned in May of 1972, I had been taught by three Professors of Military Science and learned from a number of officers and noncommissioned officers. My first PMS, COL Wiltse, is still active with the OU Army ROTC Alumni organization. Like the other professors, COL Wiltse was a superb officer and role model – and remains one to this day.
Ultimately, we all had to graduate and move on. In July, 1972, I began my active duty career at Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. My first assignment was at the Korean DMZ with the 2nd Infantry Division. Following that, I served with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, the Field Artillery School’s Tactics Department, III Corps Artillery, the U.S. Commander, Berlin’s headquarters, U.S. Army Japan, and the Pentagon. Along the way I attended Field Artillery Officer Advance Course, Command and General Staff College, TACFIRE and 8” Atomic Projectile Assembly Courses, and the Defense Information School. After 11 years I left active duty and continued on for a total of 28 commissioned years as a Reservist. I retired in June of 2000. I was the typical Cold Warrior.
OU Army ROTC gave me the confidence to lead. It gave me the chance to mature and develop the leadership and management skills I use today. It gave me the basis for success in business. It gave me lifelong friends and cherished memories. In great part, it made me who I am today.
I hold three Master’s degrees and am well on my way to receiving a Doctorate in education. OU Army ROTC and the Oklahoma University experience gave me the tools and the drive to accomplish whatever I set out to do. I teach at a prestigious business school now, and I’ve held many leadership positions in the manufacturing, retail, and transportation sectors. OU Army ROTC, as well as the excellent officers and NCOs who helped me develop, share greatly in the successes I’ve had.
If you’re reading this as a prospective cadet, or an undecided cadet thinking about continuing on, I can only offer these thoughts from my experience:
Army ROTC gives you the opportunity, like nowhere else, to develop and exercise leadership skills. No other department or program can touch Army ROTC for leadership development.
Army ROTC helps mold moral and ethical leaders that this Nation counts on when things get tough.
The OU Army ROTC program establishes friendships that transcend distance and time.
Go Sooners! Go Army! God bless America."
Brian W. McConnell
LTC, FA, USAR Retired
OU Class of 1972
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