Bobcat Battalion continues mission with new student leadership

Ohio University Army ROTC cadets gathered on Jan. 20 for their Change of Command ceremony. Maj. Darrell Fawley, professor of military science, facilitated the ceremony marking the transfer of command from outgoing Cadet Battalion Commander Jahmir King to incoming commander Cadet Abby Ludwig.

The Change of Command ceremony is an important Army tradition featuring the passing of a unit’s guidon, the military standard that each battalion carries to signify their unit and affiliation.

A senior global studies major from Portsmouth, Ohio, King served as the battalion’s commander for Fall Semester 2020. Fawley thanked King for his outstanding leadership in the face of adversity.

“Jahmir was an outstanding leader for this battalion, showing extreme poise and creativity in the face of the unprecedented conditions COVID imposed on us,” Fawley said. “His character, competence, and dedication provided the battalion the steadying hand it needed.”

King said he is grateful for the opportunity to help lead and learn from the Bobcat Battalion.

“I grew to be confident in my decision-making processes regardless of the outcome because each decision was for what I saw was best for the battalion,” King said. 

A journalism major from Cincinnati, Ludwig was selected to the Army ROTC Top 10 Order of Merit List in December. She will remain in her position as Battalion Commander until the semester’s end.

“I chose Abby for this position of honor because she is the cadet that most exemplifies what we want all our cadets to aspire to be,” Fawley said. “If anyone asks how they can succeed in ROTC, I only need to point to Abby and say, ‘Be like her.’”

Ludwig said she is proud to serve alongside her Army ROTC peers.

“I find it a great honor and privilege to be in the Army ROTC, and to lead a group of people as dedicated as the cadets in this program,” Ludwig said following the ceremony.

The Army ROTC Bobcat Battalion was established at OHIO in 1935 and prepares students to be active-duty officers in the United States Army. At Ohio University, ROTC programs are housed in University College. For more information about Army ROTC at Ohio University, visit the Ohio University Army ROTC website.