The University’s Army ROTC changed in command June 15 when Lawrence Burns took the position of Professor of Military Science, which Lt. Col. John Wright formerly held. Master Sgt. Clay Usie took over the role of military science instructor. Scholarship and Enrollment Officer Capt. William Conger said there is a change in command usually about every three years because a typical command in the army is 18 months. An extra year is given so the new leader can adjust and get to know the cadets. Different branches rotate their leaders at different times, he said. Both Burns and Usie competed with candidates across the country for the position at the University. For Burns, LSU was his top choice among other colleges. “I competed,” Burns said. “I fought for this job, and now every day it’s like being at Disneyland.” As with any new leadership, Burns said he will make changes in the University’s ROTC program, but the framework will remain the same. He will organize cadets in the Tiger Battalion and implement internal system changes. Conger said each new leader brings in unique experiences that help the program, and the changes have always been positive. There will be new initiatives used for recruiting and community outreach. All changes will help refine the program, Usie said. “We won’t be a stranger to the LSU campus,” he said. Usie holds a liberal arts associate degree from Excelsior College, an online school, and is currently working on undergraduate work. He has been in active duty for 17 years and has served seven combat deployments during his service in the U.S. Army. Burns began his military career by joining the Louisiana Army National Guard in 1987 after moving from Illinois. He attended Southeastern Louisiana University for two years before going to the University of New Orleans where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He has a Master of Science in management, and he went on active duty in 1993. As the professor of military science, Burns is responsible for the entire program, including its accomplishments and failures. He also works to motivate cadets to be better citizens and leaders, he said. Usie is a senior enlistment officer and senior military instructor, along with the primary instructor of the marksmanship courses. Burns, a commissioned officer, will teach the senior cadets and prepare them for entering the Army. “I’m responsible for the health, morale, welfare and readiness of all of my military cadre, as well as government service civilians,” Burns said. There are four levels of the ROTC program, and beginning with the third level, students must sign a contract to be commissioned in the Army, Burns said. Both he and Usie said their goal is to prepare the students for commencement and an Army commission. Both men expressed their pride in the University and their excitement to work with the University’s ROTC program. Burns said he carried around an LSU flag whenever he went to Iraq and Hawaii. “It’s my dream to go into work every day and to be in the shadow of Tiger Stadium,” he said. Contact Shannon Roberts at [email protected]