Army Inducts John Gessner Into Junior ROTC Hall

Retired Army Colonel John Gessner is among the first members of the inaugural Army Junior ROTC Hall of Fame class.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Awards

Photograph of a single flagpole on a green parade field at the edge of autumn trees under warm late-day sunlight. — Retired Army Colonel John Gessner was inducted into the inaugural Army Junior ROTC Hall of Fame at Fort Knox on October 22, nominated by Tomah High School's Wisconsin JROTC unit. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Army Cadet Command inducted retired Army Colonel John Gessner, now living in Sparta, Wisconsin, into the inaugural Army Junior ROTC Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place October 22 at U.S. Army Cadet Command headquarters at Fort Knox, Kentucky, alongside Alfred Valenzuela and Leon McMullen.

Why it matters

The induction recognizes a career spanning military service, mentorship, and youth development, and establishes the Hall of Fame's first class of honorees. Tomah High School's JROTC unit in Wisconsin nominated Gessner, linking the honor to a state program.

Gessner retired from active-duty service in 2010 at the rank of colonel after 32 years in the Army. He received the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star medals, and four Meritorious Service medals during his career.

The players

John Gessner

A retired Army colonel and civil engineer who served 32 years in the Army and now lives in Sparta, Wisconsin.

U.S. Army Cadet Command

The Army command responsible for Junior ROTC and senior ROTC programs, which created the Hall of Fame and conducted the induction.

The details

Gessner participated in Junior ROTC at Rockford West High School from 1970 to 1974, then graduated from Marquette University in 1978 with a civil engineering degree and was commissioned as an Army engineer second lieutenant. He later served as an assistant professor of military science at Marquette from 1983 to 1986 and worked in more than 30 countries over his career.

1970 to 1974: Gessner participated in Junior ROTC at Rockford West High School.
1978: Gessner graduated from Marquette University and was commissioned as an Army engineer second lieutenant.
1983 to 1986: Gessner served as assistant professor of military science at Marquette University.
2010: Gessner retired from active-duty service as a colonel.
October 22, 2026: Gessner was inducted into the inaugural Army JROTC Hall of Fame at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Culture Shift

The inaugural Hall of Fame class formalizes recognition within the Army Cadet Command's Junior ROTC program, which the extraction ties to 3,400 units operating in U.S. high schools. The honor marks a new institutional step in how the Army acknowledges long-term service to youth military education.

Wisconsin families with students in Tomah High School's JROTC unit now have a locally nominated honoree tied to the state's program. The recognition may encourage similar nominations from other Wisconsin units.

The takeaway

Long-term mentorship and sustained service can earn national recognition, even for careers that unfold far from the spotlight. Readers involved in youth programs can use this induction as a reminder that nominations from local units carry real weight.