2023 Hall of Fame Inductee
Oregon State University (1986)
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Julie Bentz was born on Aug. 8, 1964, in Stayton, Oregon.
She received her commission in 1986 after completing the Army ROTC program at Oregon State University and a Bachelor of Science in Radiological Health Physics.
In her first years of service, she served as a Nuclear Medical Science Officer in Landstuhl, Germany responding to the Chernobyl disaster. Bentz later continued her education at the University of Missouri and received a Master of Science in Health Physics in 1996 and a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering in 1999.
After the attacks on September 11, 2001, she continued her service as one of the nation’s leading strategist and expert on Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Policy. She served as a DoD Weapons of Mass Destruction Liaison Officer to the White House's Homeland Security Council, the Special Assistant for Nuclear Response in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Chemical Biological Defense Programs, and additionally served as the Principal Deputy, then Director of Nuclear Defense Policy, Officer of the Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.
Later in her career she served the President of the United States as the Director, Strategic Capabilities Policy for the National Security Staff at the White House. Prior to retiring in 2019 with 32 years of service, her final assignment was serving as the Deputy Director of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. Bentz helped develop technologies and means to save American Soldiers' lives against the rapidly changing IED attacks.
Bentz awards and accolades include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Presidential Service Badge, her induction into the Oregon State University Academy of Distinguished Engineers, and an honorary doctorate in Radiological Health Physics from Oregon State University.
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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