NewROTC2 copyMajor Doug Couch, who took over as the Director of Tecumseh’s JROTC program earlier this month, said his cadets had somewhat of an unfair advantage on him as he entered Arrow Country for the first time.

“They Google searched me,” said Couch. “They were telling me things about myself before I could get around to it,” he joked.

Major Couch said he is genuinely looking forward to helping lead Tecumseh’s JROTC program, and considered the timing to be “perfect,” as his family decided to move back to this area around the same time the job opening was posted.

Couch replaces longtime ROTC Director Colonel Fred Schuster, who officially left the program at the first of the year to travel to Japan.  Most recently serving as Security Forces Commander at Warner Robins AFB in Georgia, Couch said his retirement from the Air Force was recently granted, so he and his wife Brenda decided to move back to this area, where they are currently building a home.  Both graduates of Greenon High School, the couple has three children: Brittany—23, Ashley—22, and Tyler—19.  

Upon his retirement, Couch said he began actively searching job postings in the ROTC field, and fortuitously stumbled upon the Tecumseh position the first day it was listed.  He said he immediately gathered the paperwork required to apply, and then was asked to interview with Interim Superintendent Paula Crew, High School Principal Ivan Gehret, and Master Sergeant Antonio Ruiz of the ROTC program.

“I think what sold them was that I wasn’t the greatest student in high school,” Couch said earnestly, noting that his ability to transform his life through discipline found in the military seemed to resonate with Crew, Gerhet, and Ruiz.  Couch joined the Air Force on April 16, 1990, and said he went from “being barely out of Ohio and Kentucky” to being hard-pressed to find a part of the world to which he has not traveled.  He has since received a Master’s Degree and completed the ROTC Commission.

Concerning his plans for the ROTC program, Couch said he believes he’s joined a solid team and will not come into the position with a host of unnecessary changes.  “I’m thrilled Master Sergeant Ruiz is still here,” he said, relieved. “My plan at the beginning is to watch, listen, and learn how it all works—I don’t plan to change much,” he said, noting all of the program’s success in drill competitions and commitment to community. “I’ll definitely uphold the standards they’re used to here.”

When asked what he was most looking forward to in his first year of ROTC involvement, he said he was glad to get the chance to work with potential soldiers before they enter actual service.  “I’ve led troops overseas and away from their families—but this is the opportunity to work with them in the phase before I’m used to working with them,” said Couch, explaining that he’ll most-enjoy seeing his new leadership role contrasted against his former position of leading troops.  He remarked that not all of the cadets would go on to military service, but hoped that he could instill some valuable lessons into the ones who do pursue careers in the armed forces.  

He praised the “family-oriented” nature of the Tecumseh district, saying everyone has been incredibly warm and welcoming.  Couch will draw on his experience of working with church youth groups throughout his entire military career.  He hopes to guide his students into becoming better citizens “through organization and leadership roles, as well as understanding consequences.”

Couch said he also hopes to instill in his cadets the notion that they alone hold the key to their own futures.  “I never had anyone point out to me that you can pretty much do whatever you want to do in life,” Couch said. “The only thing holding you back is you.”

First Group 2x2
First Group 2x2
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