2022 Hall of Fame Inductee

Wake Forest University (1997)

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Col. John W. Lubas was born on January 22, 1975, in Princeton, New Jersey.

He attended Wake Forest University where he completed both a Bachelor of Science in Business and the Army ROTC program. He graduated and received his commission as an Infantry officer in 1997.

As a junior officer, he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader in 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant Division Commander (Operations) and Executive Officer, Long Range Surveillance Detachment, 25th Infantry Division.

Lubas later served as the Adjutant, Assistant Operations Officer and C Company Commander in 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. He then served as the Adjutant and B Company Commander for 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Following completion of the Command and General Staff College, Lubas returned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and served as the Battalion Liaison and Plans Officer, Operations Officer, and Executive Officer. During this time, he deployed to Afghanistan as the J3 and Commander of JSOTFs in Kandahar, Logar and Salerno Provinces. In 2012, Lubas was assigned to Headquarters, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia as the Regimental Operations Officer and served as the J3 for the JSOTF in Bagram, Afghanistan.

From February of 2014 to May of 2015, Lubas commanded 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He deployed his battalion to Afghanistan and advised the 1st and 3rd Brigades of the 201st ANA Corps and Provincial Chiefs of Police in Laghman and Kapisa Provinces during a critical period that included the presidential elections and transition to Resolute Support.

From June of 2015 to June of 2017, Lubas commanded the Regimental Special Troops Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, and commanded a JSOTF in Kabul, Afghanistan. From July of 2018 to May of 2020, Lubas commanded 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and deployed his brigade to Thailand in support of Pacific Pathways. Following Brigade Command, Lubas served as the Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Army from June 2020 to July 2021.

Lubas assumed duties as the Deputy Commanding Officer for Operations, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky on July 20, 2021.

His military awards and accolades include the Legion of Merit (1 OLC), Bronze Star Medal (5 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and Australian Jump Wings. He is also a Distinguished Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Lubas has a Master of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame

The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.

The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.

Read more about the 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees.