Column: Colonel’s class is one part chemistry, one part philosophy

Unique chemistry curriculum is overseen by Col. Leon L. Robert Jr., professor and head of the chemistry department at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“Never leave a fallen soldier.”

These words apply not only to the battlefield, Col. Leon L. Robert Jr. reminds cadets in his West Point classroom. “This ethos starts at West Point by taking care of your classmates.”

The colonel is professor and head of the Department of Chemistry and Life Science at the U.S. Military Academy.

Pointing to the academy”™s diversity of students, he notes not all possess the ability of one former cadet who later entered Harvard Medical School, graduating first in his class.

By contrast, the colonel gave special attention to a cadet struggling throughout his four years.

“He was Hispanic, growing up along the Mexican border,” the professor recalls. “I saw him again after his military service. He had entered Harvard Business School and had blossomed.”

The academy”™s unique chemistry curriculum includes instruction in chemical warfare, explosives technology and alternative forms of energy.

The colonel says West Point cadets are special; out of 16,000 applicants, only 1,270 were selected for this year”™s freshman class. They will be submerged in academic, physical, military and character development.

“The recently added fourth pillar addressing character development and honorable living is important in building leaders of character,” Robert said.

“Anything is attainable if you want it enough,” he assures cadets. “If you really want it, you can have it.”

He is a shining example of this philosophy.

Raised in upstate Norfolk, New York, he was no stranger to uniforms. His father served during the Korea War and was later a New York state trooper. Young Leon aspired to travel; thus, his entry into the military, with seven overseas tours.

He has earned five college degrees. His Bachelor of Arts degree in l977 from the State University of New York at Potsdam was followed by an Master”™s of Science in Education with distinction from SUNY Potsdam in l981. Two years later, he received a master”™s degree with distinction from Old Dominion University.

He was commissioned a captain in the Medical Service Corps after receiving a Ph.D. in Medical Entomology from Texas A&M University in l987. A Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College followed in 2006.

One hair-raising assignment stands out in his mind.

“While stationed in Germany in l999, I ran to reach my wife at church to inform her that at 4 a.m. next day I was shipping out to an undisclosed location. Our sons were two and four years old. The destination was Albania, threatened with invasion. I was there nearly six months before the invading Serbian army exited,” he said.

The colonel has received nearly 20 military awards and decorations, many with special commendations.

Cadets know their professor”™s knowledge is not just from books. Before assuming his present post in 2011, he served in an impressive list of commands and staff assignments, most recently as vice dean of the National Military Academy of Afghanistan.

The colonel met his wife, Amy, while attending graduate school at Texas A&M. An undergraduate and Texas native, she ultimately became a teacher. They expect to reside in their home overlooking the Hudson until the colonel”™s mandatory retirement in four years. Involved in academy wives”™ activities, she is president of the Daughters of the U.S. Army and is a member of the West Point Women”™s Club.

The Robert sons are grown. The older, Marshall, a graduate of Texas A&M, is a mechanical engineer in Houston. His brother, John, is a junior at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. The family will be reunited when the Roberts retire to Texas.

Challenging Careers focuses on the exciting and unusual business lives of Hudson Valley residents. Comments or suggestions may be emailed to Catherine Portman-Laux at cplaux@optonline.net.