In an exciting development for South Dakota State University (SDSU) and its prestigious ROTC programs, Lt. Col. Gary Priest and Lt. Col. Heath Abraham join this fall as dynamic new leaders. SDSU, nestled in the welcoming expanse of South Dakota, has long served as an integral institution, shaping future military leaders since 1884. This tradition of excellence continues with the arrival of these distinguished officers.
The ROTC programs at SDSU have a storied history, with notable alumni such as Gen. Omar Bradley and Gen. William DePuy, who have been pivotal figures in the annals of American military history. Bradley, in particular, hailed the Army ROTC as “the West Point of the Plains,” a testament to the program’s caliber.
SDSU’s Army ROTC dates back to its first commissioned class in the mid-20th century, but its military roots run deeper. Air Force ROTC Detachment 780, established in 1948, has since forged numerous leaders for the U.S. Air and Space Forces.
Gen. Omar Bradley
Lt. Col. Gary Priest, originally from western Michigan, now leads the Air Force ROTC Detachment 780. His journey began with a commission from the University of Michigan’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 390. Since 2007, Priest has accumulated a wealth of experience across communications, command, and control sectors.
Priest’s impressive service record includes roles as a battlestaff communications officer on the E-4B “Nightwatch” aircraft, contributing over 400 flight hours. His tenure at Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, as the deputy director of communication stands out among his career milestones.
“Our cadets bring with them life experiences that prime them to be high-spirited problem solvers,” Priest noted. “The upper Midwest is known for its friendly, civic-minded communities, and growing up in and around our rural communities gives our cadets both practical skills and resilience when the going gets tough. This is a winning combination when your mission is to build leaders of character for the Air and Space Forces.”
Lt. Col. Heath Abraham, an exemplar of South Dakota’s proud heritage, embodies leadership drawn from the heartland. Abraham’s military journey commenced in 1997 with the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 153rd Engineer Battalion. His connection to SDSU is profound; he was commissioned through its ROTC program in 2003.
Abraham’s notable service record includes pivotal leadership roles such as platoon leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom and company commander in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. His accolades, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, narrate a career marked by dedication and valor.
Beyond the military, Abraham has made significant contributions to public safety as a police officer with the Madison Police Department, a member of the Lake County and Madison SWAT team, and a university safety and resource officer at Dakota State University.
Reflecting on his return to SDSU as a professor of military science, Abraham expressed, “Having the opportunity to share with these great young men and women the importance and value of this training as they go forward with a career in the military or after they have left the service is a special time any senior officer must capitalize on. To have come from this university’s Army ROTC program and now return as the professor of military science feels as if I’ve come full circle and is truly an honor.”
The appointment of Lt. Col. Gary Priest and Lt. Col. Heath Abraham underscores SDSU’s commitment to fostering leadership within its ROTC programs. Their collective experiences promise to enhance the training of cadets, drawing on the rich cultural fabric and community spirit that characterize South Dakota. The arrival of these two seasoned leaders positions South Dakota State University at the forefront of military education and leadership development in the region.
For more information on the SDSU ROTC programs and their impact, visit the official SDSU ROTC website.