May 2, 2024
The Army ROTC at The University of Texas at Austin trains students to become second lieutenants who are prepared to serve as officers in the U.S. Army. In addition to individualized academic studies and rigorous training, Longhorn cadets are offered unique opportunities to develop leadership and problem-solving skills by dialoging with history.
Honoring Pathfinder Colonel (Ret) Leon Holland and the Power of Camaraderie
This spring, the Longhorn Battalion proudly welcomed COL (Ret) Leon Holland to campus so that cadets could learn from his experiences and accomplishments as they prepare to lead by example and take on new responsibilities that will affect others.
Among the Precursors - the first Black undergraduate students to attend and integrate the University - Holland was also the first Black cadet commissioned from the UT ROTC Program, as well as the first Black officer to be selected to head two premier Army medical logistics organizations. He went on to serve more than 30 years in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, including time in Vietnam, France, Germany, and South Korea, before retiring as a colonel.
UT was desegregated at the undergraduate level in fall of 1956, the same year that Holland entered the university as one of 52 Black freshmen. During this time, the campus climate for Black students was inhospitable, isolating and often hostile.
Growing up in San Antonio, he played with kids from other cultures and intermingled with neighbors in a diverse community. Even though he attended segregated K-12 schools, he did not experience overt racial hostility until he came to Austin for college.
Holland found support from other Black upper-class students and from the ROTC program with its emphasis on teamwork and working in small groups. He realized that one of his core values, considering the needs of others, was also shared by the ROTC.
“Because of this type of environment at the ROTC, you were accepted,” said Holland. “There was respect when we were together, and I felt like a part of the organization. The ROTC was open and supportive. We were brothers, race didn’t matter as much there.”
“One of the things I experienced with the ROTC program was that there was a lot camaraderie.” He recalled, “We went to a summer camp in Virginia my junior year. One weekend several of us from the UT cadre went to get some ice cream and we were refused entry because of me. And the first thing that everybody did was say ‘we won’t eat here, we won’t stop here, let’s go’. They stuck up for me.”
Holland graduated in 1961 majoring in natural sciences and received a teaching certificate and his ROTC commission. A lifelong learner, he also earned a Master’s in Business Administration at St. Mary’s University. He retired from the military in 1991.
Strong communication skills and compassion defined Holland's career advancement as an Army Medical Service Corps officer and administrator. He describes himself as a "situational" leader who assessed the needs of individuals and what was required of each person to contribute to group success.
Holland has received two Legion of Merit Awards, and was inducted into the Distinguished Order of Military Medical Merit. He is also a recipient of the Heman Sweatt Legacy Award, the Dr. James L. Hill Leadership Circle Award, and The University of Texas at Austin Presidential Citation Award and Texas Exes Distinguished Alumnus Award.
“Colonel Holland’s legacy serves as an inspiration for the next generation of Texas Army ROTC Cadets, encouraging them to uphold the values of resilience, determination, and unity that he exemplified throughout his career,” said Lt. Col. Tim Jones, chair of the Department of Military Science.
“Colonel Holland shared with us special moments he experienced as a cadet, and how it felt to make history,” said Cadet Deona Roberts. “We were intrigued by his dedication to service and honored to have met such an amazing leader.”
Normandy Staff Ride Inspires Present-Day Applications and Introspection
For the second year in a row, Longhorn ROTC senior cadets participated in an immersive learning experience in Normandy, France over spring break. UT military science students and mentors took part in a four-day “staff ride,” visiting the historic World War II sites for a field study and examination of decision-making and lessons of the past.
The cadets visited Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Pegasus Bridge and Sainte-Mere-Eglise to go through the events of the landings and battles as interactive case studies led by UT alumnus LTG (Ret) Lawson Magruder and Defense Research Advancement’s COL (Ret) Chris Hossfeld.
A long-standing military tradition, the staff ride is a systematic analysis of a site to learn about the impact of geography, weather and human interactions of historic importance. Through guided discovery by experienced U.S. Army facilitators, UT student participants learned timeless lessons on leadership, tactics and strategy, communications, use of terrain, and the psychology of those in battle. These exercises bring these events to life and aid them in their future service.
“Learning through history, whether by visiting a physical site or hearing first-hand accounts, can cultivate essential leadership skills,” said Cadet Map Pesqueira. “It offers insights into decision-making, promotes empathy, and enhances critical thinking. By studying the past in these ways, people can better navigate complexities and inspire others.”
The staff ride brought weight to the realization that others’ lives will depend on the decisions they make and fostered deep reflection among the students. The cadets honored fallen American soldiers with a flag-raising ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial and shared sentiments about becoming the next generation of leaders.
“Standing on the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc and the beaches of Normandy, I was mesmerized by the view and humbled by the heroic sacrifices of our past generations,” said Cadet Richard Mohamed. “I strive to honor their legacy through leadership and excellence. This experience strengthened a sense of duty in our cadet leaders.”
Housed in the College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas at Austin ROTC program includes students from Concordia University, Huston-Tillotson, St. Edwards University and Austin Community College who are pursuing a variety of different majors.