2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

Colonel Ross Davidson, ’87

Colonel (Retired, US Army) Ross E. Davidson Jr. is a recognized expert in ground combat operations, joint – combined arms warfare, and all related aspects of mission command systems, effective organizational design, and operations – intelligence integration. A 31- year combat veteran, he retired in 2019 as the United States Army’s senior Infantryman after serving as the Joint Staff J7 (Force Development) Directorate’s Operations Director and senior representative to the Secretary of Defense Close Combat Lethality Cross Functional Team. He has led and commanded soldiers at every echelon from platoon to brigade. He has deployed to combat over five times with tours of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Kosovo, and many contingency deployments in between.

As a senior Army leader, Ross served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G3/5/7 for the US Army’s I Corps, our Nation’s only regionally aligned, globally responsive operational level Joint Task Force. He returned from his final combat deployment in Afghanistan in 2014, where he served as the Chief of Staff for the Special Operations Joint Task Force / NATO Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan (SOJTF-A / NSOCC-A), the senior joint-combined SOF headquarters in Afghanistan, responsible for the operational level coordination and application of full spectrum international SOF capabilities to enable Afghan SOF forces to defeat the insurgent and terrorist forces that continue to threaten international stability.

Ross has commanded combat soldiers at every level though Brigade and was honored to serve as the Brigade Commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division (“Iron Team”), at the time our Army’s only forward deployed and committed ground combat force charged with credible deterrence and rapid threat response in support of our Republic of Korea alliance. His efforts to improve the readiness of US ground combat forces in Korea through a combined training approach with multiple partnered ROK Army Brigades was recognized through the presentation of the ROK Presidential Order of Merit award.

A pioneer in SOF-Conventional force integration, Ross is the former Squadron Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment (RECON) (ABN) and Task Force FALCON, a combined arms maneuver task force specializing in night heliborne assault and follow on search and attack operations to destroy terrorist networks in Iraq in support of a Joint Special Operations Task Force mission to defeat the Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQIZ) terrorist network. Under his leadership, TF FALCON was credited with the destruction of the AQIZ network in Diyala province during a six-month JSOTF campaign in support of MNCI’s Operation ARROWHEAD RIPPER.

A native of Orrville, Ohio, Ross was commissioned as an Infantryman through ROTC from The Ohio State University in 1987, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and represented his University as an NCAA student athlete, earning three letters in men’s Varsity Lacrosse. Over the span of his 31-year active-duty career he served in numerous command and staff positions in the 2d Infantry Division, the Ranger Training Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, 3d Infantry Division, the National Training Center, 10th Mountain Division, 82d Airborne Division, 4th Infantry Division, and the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). He has served on multiple training and operational deployments to Korea, Panama, Egypt, Kuwait, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines.

He is a Graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the Naval War College. He holds a master’s degree in business from Troy State University, and a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He is an Eagle Scout, Ranger, Master Parachutist, and Combat Infantryman. He is married to the former Jodi Italiano of Youngstown, Ohio (The Ohio State University, 1987). They have one son, Ross Angelo, Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets (Class of 2027). He supports his community as a high school lacrosse coach and assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. He is an active supporter of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Ross is currently the CEO and founder of Chieftain Elite Consulting, LLC, a business venture he created in 2022. He and his team specialize in assisting clients with their strategic and operational planning requirements, and the mission execution solutions to deploy successful business operations, organizational management, and leadership development programs. He and his team of highly skilled professionals provide specialized research and analysis supporting national defense acquisition programs and associated strategies.

Ross and his team have worked with multiple clients on developmental projects ranging from advanced technological solutions for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms; Soldier lethality power management systems; Organizational readiness programs and associated systems; training exercise analysis and design; effective integration and fusion of intelligence and operations; and establishing a leader development baseline for business operations that accelerate growth and profitability. His company’s current work with New Mexico State University and White Sands Missile Range is paving the future for full implementation of the Department of Defense’s recently implemented Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) program.

Military Assignment History:

Rifle Platoon Leader, C/1-503rd IN “First Rock”, 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea (ROK) [2 x DMZ Rotations; Operation TEAM SPIRIT].
Executive Officer, HHC / 4th Ranger Training Battalion (RTB), Fort Benning GA
[JOTC Support, Panama].
Team Chief, E/4th RTB (Light Infantry Leaders Course), Fort Benning GA [DEA Operation SNOWCAP mission support; NAVSPECWAR Ground Tactical Warfare Course Lead].
OIC, Division Assault Command Post, 24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart GA
[Operation DESERT SPRING, Kuwait].
Rifle Company Commander, D/3-7th IN (Mech) “Cotton Balers”, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart GA [Operation BRIGHT STAR, Egypt].
Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart GA [MG Jay W. Hendrix].
Headquarters Commandant, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart GA [Operation DESERT THUNDER, Kuwait].
Light Infantry O/C Team OIC, Tarantula Team (ABN), Operations Group, National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, CA.
Operations Officer, Leader Training Program / Wrangler Team, Operations Group, NTC, Fort Irwin CA.
G3 Chief of Operations, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum NY [MNB-East G3 Chief of Operations, Operation JOINT GUARDIAN, Kosovo]
Battalion Executive Officer, 2-87th IN “Catamounts”, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum NY.
Battalion S3 Operations Officer, 2-14th IN “Golden Dragons”, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum NY [service with CJSOTF-N, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 1, the Northern Theater Campaign, Irbil, Iraq].
Brigade S3 Operations Officer, 2nd Brigade / 10th Mountain Division
“Commandos”, Fort Drum NY (Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 3, Baghdad, Iraq)
Squadron Commander, 1-73rd CAV (RECON) (ABN) “Blue Falcons”, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg NC [attached to JSOTF-Iraq as Task Force FALCON for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 5, Tikrit, Iraq].
ACofS G3, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson CO.
Brigade Commander, 1st BCT, 2nd Infantry Division “Iron Team”, Republic of Korea (ROK).
J3 Operations Officer, Special Operations Joint Task Force (Bragg), United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Fort Bragg NC.
Chief of Staff, Special Operations Joint Task Force (Afghanistan) / NATO
Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan, Operation
ENDURING FREEDOM, Kabul, Afghanistan (USSOCOM).
ACofS, G3/5/7, US Army I Corps (Joint Base Lewis-McChord)
Executive Director, Directors Action Group (DAG), The Joint Staff, J7 Force Development Directorate

Awards and Decorations: Legion of Merit w/ 1 OLC; Bronze Star w/ 1 OLC; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal w/ 5 OLC; Army Commendation Medal w / 1 OLC; Army Achievement Medal w/ 2 OLC; Navy Achievement Medal; ROK Presidential Order of Merit; Meritorious Unit Citation w/1OLC; Army Superior Unit Award; French Parachutist Wings.

Colonel Greg Rogers, ’90

COL (Ret) Rogers has had a distinguished career in the Army holding the following positions in the Ohio Army National Guard and the US Army. OHARNG Construction Facility Management Officer, State Surface Maintenance Officer, Design and Project Management Branch Chief, Engineer BN Commander 1-147^th Regional Training Institute, General Studies BN Commander 1-147^th Regional Training Institute, Civil Engineer 16^th Engineer Brigade (Iraq Deployment), Commander HHD Joint Force Headquarters, Secretary General Staff HHD Joint Force Headquarters, State Historian (HHD STARC) Commander State Area Command (HHD STARC), Commander HHC 1-148^th Infantry Battalion, S-4 Officer 1-148^th Infantry BN, Commander Echo Company 1-148^thInfantry BN, TAC Officer Ohio Military Academy, Detachment Commander Charlie Company 216^th Engineer BN, Asst S-2 Officer 216^th Engineer BN, Executive Officer Delta Company 216^th Engineer BN, General’s Aide 73^rd Infantry Brigade (Sep), Mortar Platoon Leader Bravo Company 1-166 Infantry BN, Infantry Platoon Leader Bravo Company 1-166 Infantry BN, AROTC Cadet Brigade Commander Buckeye Brigade The Ohio State University, Squad Leader Bravo Company 1-166 Infantry BN, Bridge Crewman 502^nd Engineer Company 565 Engineer Battalion (Germany). A total of 36 years 3 months of military service between US Army Active Duty and Ohio Army National Guard, both traditional Guardsman and Full time Federal Technician.

In addition to his military service, COL (R) Rogers is active in his community.

Technical Director Orange High School Theater Department 2015 to Present
Board Member AROTC Alumni Board of Governors 2018 to Present
Olentangy Local School District Facilities Committee Member 2015 to Present
Past President, Vice President, Treasurer and Current Member 148th Infantry Regiment Veterans Association
Member 37th Infantry Division Veterans Association
Member VFW
Member American Legion

Military and Civilian Awards and Decorations: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (NUM 6), Army Commendation Medal (NUM 5), Army achievement Medal (NUM 4), Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2 SOLC), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device and GHGD, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (NUM 2), Ohio Commendation Medal (NUM 4), Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon (1 SOLC), Ohio Special Service Ribbon (Num 3), Ohio Award of Merit, Meritorious Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Bronze De Fleury Medal, Parachutist Badge, Drivers Award -Wheeled Vehicle Clasp, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge

Colonel Patrick Kaune, ’92

COL Patrick Kaune graduated from The Ohio State University and earned a commission as an Armor Officer in 1992. His many assignments included experiences as a Tank Platoon Leader, Battalion Intelligence Officer, Battalion Operations Officer, an Aviation Brigade Intelligence Officer, and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Manager, Company Commander for two separate intelligence companies, Division Intelligence Operations Officer, Analysis and Exploitation Chief, Brigade Intelligence Officer, Inspector General, and the Army’s Operations and Personnel Director for Operations Support Officers.

Pat commanded Headquarters, 10th Mountain Division from January 2012 to September 2013. COL Kaune also commanded the Army Garrison at Fort Knox Kentucky from July 2017-July 2019. He recently served as the J2 Director of Intelligence Operations, Special Operations Command North, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. Currently, he is assigned as the J2 Director of Intelligence and Security for the Army’s Materiel Command in Redstone Alabama and recently completed a corporate fellowship with Microsoft. His previous operational deployments include two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and three tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from The Ohio State University, a Master of Arts in Middle Eastern Security Studies from Kansas State University as well as a Masters in Operational Planning from the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS). He recently a Master’s in Public Affairs/Leadership from the John Glenn School of Public Affairs. His military education includes an Army War College Fellowship at the Syracuse Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism, National Defense University Joint Planner, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Inspectors General Course, Infantry Officer Captain Career Course, Military Intelligence Captain Career Course, Counterintelligence Agent Course, Special Forces Assessment and Selection, Supply Management Course, Airborne School, and the Armor Basic Officer Leadership Course. He will earn a Masters of Public Affairs from Ohio State University in August 2023.

COL Kaune’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2), and the Bronze Star (3).

Colonel Martin Schmidt, ’95

Colonel (R.) Schmidt has had an illustrious career in the United States Army since his commission as a distinguished military graduate from The Ohio State University’s Army ROTC program in 1995. His extensive service in various command and staff assignments has equipped him with exceptional leadership skills and expertise in military operations.

Throughout his career, Col (R.) Schmidt held numerous Command positions, to include a two-time select Brigade Commander: 5th AR Brigade Commander, Commander of the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command – Special Operations Advisory Group, Special Operations Task Force South (Afghanistan) Commander, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Battalion Commander, Company Commander and Operational Detachment Commander. He also served as the Director of Plans and Policy at the United States Special Operations Command, Director of Innovation at the United States Special Operations Command, ACoS-G8 at the U.S. Army Special Forces Command, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Group Executive Officer and Group Operations Officer, to name a few.

Col (R). Schmidt’s overseas assignments include the Republic of Korea, AOB Colombia, AOB Honduras, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, Estonia, Ukraine, and other location in the USSOUTHCOM, USEUCOM and USPACOM’s AORs. He has five Combat Tours in Afghanistan most notably: Operational Detachment Alpha Team Leader, Special Operations Task Force-South Commander, Special Operations Advisory Group Commander, with general focus on southern and eastern Afghanistan.

Col (R). Schmidt is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course; Infantry Captains Career Course; Combined Arms and Services Staff School; Airborne School; Air Assault School; Pathfinder School; Military Free Fall Parachutist Course; Infantry Mortar Leader Course; Ranger School; Special Forces Qualification Course; SERE School; and Jumpmaster School. He is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff Course and U.S. National War College. He has earned master’s degrees in computer informational science, defense studies, and strategic studies.

Col (R). Schmidt’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Military Free Fall Badge. He has also been awarded the Colombian Military Free Fall Badge and British and Guatemalan Parachutist Badges.