<b>'LOBO BATTALION' JOINS U.S. ARMY CADET COMMAND</b>

August 28, 2003

'LOBO BATTALION' JOINS U.S. ARMY CADET COMMAND

The United States Army Cadet Command at the University of New Mexico will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the "Lobo Battalion" to mark officially its activation into the U.S. Army Cadet Command on Thursday, Sept. 4, 4:30 p.m., on the lawn near Scholes Hall and the Maxwell Museum.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the University and for the Army," said Major Larry Dorsett. UNM will be able to provide Hispanic and other minority students the opportunity to join the Army officer corps. The Army, Dorsett said, "Benefits from working at a top-notch university with great facilities, faculty, staff and students."

Dorsett said the Army ROTC program currently has 18 students with the majority enrolled in the military science and leadership (MSL) one level program. "Four or five are in the MLS two level and three are in the third level," he said.

He said that students can enter into either two or four year Army ROTC programs, depending upon prior military service.

Scheduled to speak at the ribbon cutting are UNM President Louis Caldera and Lieutenant Colonel Anna Lucero, commanding officer of the Lobo Battalion. Special guests include designates from the offices of New Mexico's congressional representatives, Major General Alan Thrasher, Brigadier General Robert Reese and others.

"We are very excited to be at UNM. We are pleased to host an event to commemorate the Army's renewed presence on the campus and we are anxious to get started to create the Army's leaders of tomorrow," said Dorsett.

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