2023 Hall of Fame Inductee
Auburn University (1986)
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Darsie D. Rogers Jr. was born on January 6, in Tallassee, Alabama. He attended Auburn University where he pursued a degree in Psychology.
Commissioning as an Army Officer in 1986, Rogers served in numerous stateside and overseas locations, to include multiple deployments to Iraq, Bosnia, and Turkey. During this time, Rogers commanded at the detachment, company, battalion, and group levels within Special Operations Command before assuming duty as the Deputy Commanding General-Support for the 4th Infantry Division. Rogers then returned to Special Operations Command, where he continued to command at the highest levels, to include Commanding General-1st Special Forces Command and Commanding General of Special Operations Command-US Central Command. Rogers culminated his service in the Army as the Deputy Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
In direct support of the War on Terror, Rogers led 11 geographically dispersed US Special Operations units in the Middle East, personally organizing US Ambassadors, Government Agencies, regional partners, and senior foreign government officials to create liaison networks which synchronized US national and regional partner interest.
Rogers was also responsible for the first-ever merger of U.S regional and national Special Operations Forces and missions under a single headquarters and led it during combat operations in Iraq. The resulting efficiency and effectiveness became the model for commands in Iraq and Afghanistan. Later, Rogers designed, implemented, and employed a specific Iraqi Special Operations Counter Terrorism Service which spearheaded the defeat of ISIS in Iraq, and remains the only enduring military institution that survived the US military departure in 2011.
After over 30 years of service, Rogers retired from the Army in July 2020. His military awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Scuba Diver Badge, Ranger Tab , Special Forces Tab and Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.
Rogers continues his legacy of service as Professor of Practice at the University of Maryland, while also serving on the Intelligence and Security Academy LLC-Advisory Board and volunteering as a Senior Fellow for the Association of the United States Army.
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 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees.
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