Lt. Col. Mark McClellan is taking over the reins of the Army ROTC Bataan Battalion at New Mexico State University. Before coming to NMSU in July, McClellan commanded the 1st Battalion, 77th Armored Regiment at Fort Bliss.
McClellan comes from a military family. “The Army was a big part of my family and it felt natural to join,” McClellan said. “My father served in the U.S. Army and retired in Macon, Georgia when I was in the sixth grade. I consider Macon to be home.”
McClellan’s wife is also from Macon, and she is a physician serving at William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss. They have two children together.
McClellan did three tours in Iraq, one tour in Kuwait and in South Korea. After graduating from the United States Military Academy, McClellan commissioned as an Armor Officer in 2001.
After he was commissioned, McClellan had assignments in Georgia, New York and Colorado before joining Fort Bliss in 2018.
He replaces Lt. Col. Wes Childs who retired in May but continues teaching military history class as an adjunct faculty member. McClellan hopes to follow in his predecessors’ footsteps and continue to grow the Army ROTC program.
“NMSU deserves a large Army ROTC Battalion, McClellan said. “It is a great school that provides a lot of support to our education and training mission.
“I’m excited about joining NMSU to continue to foster and enhance the close relationship between NMSU and our Army ROTC Battalion. I am enjoying the chance to teach our cadets about the Army.”
NMSU ROTC is located in Young Hall. Students who are interested may contact Army at armyrotc@nmsu.edu or 575-646-4030.
Information from NMSU