ARMY ROTC:
Prairie View A&M University

PANTHER BATTALION

Learn How People Have Gained from ROTC

One of the best ways to see if Army ROTC is right for you is to learn how alumni have benefited from the experience. See how the skills they learned in ROTC have helped them build successful and satisfying careers.

		Calvin A. H. Waller (Deceased) Lieutenant General (Retired) Lieutenant General Waller was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on 17 December, 1937. He graduated with a BS Degree in Agriculture from Prairie View A&M. He later went on to receive a MS Degree from Shippensburg State University in Public Administration. He served over 28 years in the Army.
		Billy K. Solomon Lieutenant General (Retired) Lieutenant General Solomon was born in Oakwood/Fairfield, Texas on 16 November, 1944. He graduated with a BS Degree in Agriculture from Prairie View. He later went on to receive a MS Degree from the Florida Institute of Technology in contracting and acquisition management. He served 28 years in the Army.
		Julius Parker JR Major General (Retired) Major General Parker was born in New Braunfels, Texas on 14 April, 1935. He graduated with a BS Degree in Agriculture from Prairie. He later went on to receive a MS Degree from Shippensburg State College in Public Administration. He served over 30 years in the Army.
		Johnie Forte JR Brigadier General (Retired) Brigadier General Forte Jr.; was born in New Boston, Texas on 20 December 1936. He graduated with a BS Degree in Political Science from Prairie View. He later received a MS from Auburn University in Public Administration. He served over 25 years of active duty in the Army.
		Marvin Brailsford Lieutenant General (Retired) Lieutenant General Brailsford was born in Burkeville, Texas on 31 January 1939. He graduated with a BS Degree in Biology from Prairie View. He received a MS Degree from Iowa State University in Bacteriology. He served over 25 years on active duty.
		Major General James A. Cheatham Deputy Chief of Engineers (Reserve Component) - Hq, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C. Major General James Cheatham was born and raised in Jasper, Texas. He is currently a resident of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and was commissioned an Engineer Officer through the ROTC program in 1971. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Prairie View A&M University and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. He recently served on active duty as the Acting Director of Military Programs and Deputy Chief of Engineers at the HQs U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C. during Operation Noble Eagle/Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has commanded the 411th Engineer Brigade in New Windsor, New York, the 372nd Engineer Group in Des Moines, Iowa, the 367th Engineer Battalion in St. Paul, Minnesota, and A Company, 972nd Engineer Battalion in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has also served as the Assistant Chief of Staff Comptroller, 416th Engineer Command in Darien, Illinois, Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel, 88th U.S. Army Reserve Command at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota, Soils Engineer in the 416th Engineer Command in Illinois, Reconnaissance Officer in the 972nd Engineer Battalion in Indianapolis, Indiana, Pipeline Engineer in the 364th Engineer Group in Columbus, Ohio, and the Assistant Battalion Intelligence and Operations Officer in the 718th Transportation Battalion in Ohio.. Major General Cheatham is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. His awards and decorations include the Distinguish Service Metal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 OLC, the Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with Silver OLC, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass Device, the Army Service Ribbon and the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon. In his civilian occupation, Major General Cheatham is the Federal Highway Administration Division Administrator in Pennsylvania, and has responsibility for the Federal-Aid Highway Program in the state. He is married to JoAnn Cheatham and they have three sons, James, Jerome and Jefferson.
		Julius Wesley Becton Lieutenant General YEARS OF ACTIVE COMMISSIONED SERVICE Over 34 RETIREMENT DATE 31 August 1983 MILITARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED The Infantry School, Basic and Advanced Courses United States Army Command and General Staff College Armed Forces Staff College The National War College EDUCATIONAL DEGREES Prairie View A & M College - BS Degree - Mathematics University of Maryland - MA Degree - Economics FOREIGN LANGUAGE(S) None recorded MAJOR DUTY ASSIGNMENTS (LAST 10 YEARS) Aug 69 - Jun 70 Student, National War College Washington, DC Jun 70 - Jan 72 Commander, 2d Brigade, 2d Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas Jan 72 - Aug 72 Chief, Armor Branch, Officer Personnel Directorate, Office Personnel Operations, United States Army, Washington, DC Sep 72 - Dec 74 Commander, United States Army Training Center and Fort Dix, Fort Dix, New Jersey Feb 75 - Nov 76 Commanding General, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas Nov 76 - Oct 78 Commanding General, United States Army Operational Test and Evaluation Agency, Falls Church, Virginia Oct 78 - Jul 81 Commanding General, VII Corps, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany Jul 81 - Aug 83 Deputy Commanding General for Training, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia PROMOTIONS / DATES OF APPOINTMENT (Temporary / Permanent) 2LT 1 Nov 48 1LT 11 May 49 CPT 12 Jun 53 / 29 Oct 54 MAJ 7 Feb 61 / 12 Aug 62 LTC 18 Nov 64 / 12 Aug 69 COL 31 Jul 69 / 12 Aug 73 BG 1 Aug 72 / 3 Jun 76 MG 1 Aug 74 / 1 May 78 LTG 1 Nov 78 US DECORATIONS AND BADGES Silver Star (with Oak Leaf Cluster) Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster) Air Medal (with "V" Device) Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster) Purple Heart (with Oak Leaf Cluster) Combat Infantryman Badge Parachutist Badge SOURCE OF COMMISSION OCS As of 31 August 1983