by Leah Jackson
In continuing the university’s long-held tradition of recognizing military service at home athletic events, Northwestern State University welcomed Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Drake and his family to Natchitoches and honored his service to the nation during an NSU football game in September.
LTC Drake joined the Northwestern family as the professor of Military Science this summer. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 2005 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. With over 17 years of active service, including four combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, he brings a wealth of experience to NSU’s ROTC program. Most recently, he was an Observer, Coach, Trainer and Brigade S3 in the Operations Group, Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk.
LTC Drake holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Maneuver Captains Career Course, and Command and General Staff College.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), Meritorious Service Medal w/2 OLC, Army Commendation Medal w/4 OLC, and the Army Achievement Medal. The Oak Leaf Cluster is a bronze or silver device that designates a subsequent awarding of a medal or ribbon. Drake has also earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Parachutist Badge.
LTC Drake hails from Lakeland, Florida. He and his wife, Brittany, have two daughters, Ava and Jada.
Information on NSU’s ROTC program is available at https://rotc.nsula.edu/.
Visit Northwestern State University Website: https://www.nsula.edu/
