LTC William Kobbe (right) receives the Professor of Military Science (PMS) of the Year award from Brigadier General Maurice “Moe” Barnett, recognizing his outstanding leadership and dedication to the Notre Dame Army ROTC program.
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) William Kobbe, professor of military science at Notre Dame, has been named the 2024 Professor of Military Science (PMS) of the Year by the US Army Cadet Command. This prestigious award recognizes LTC Kobbe’s exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to training and mentoring future Army officers through Notre Dame’s Fightin’ Irish Battalion.
Kobbe was commissioned into the US Army in 2005 through Villanova University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and has since built a distinguished military career. He has served in a variety of command and instructional roles, including deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Unified Response in Haiti, and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. His service includes key leadership positions within the 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment, as well as a teaching role at the United States Military Academy.
At Notre Dame, Kobbe has led the Army ROTC program with a steadfast commitment to developing servant leaders dedicated to the values of “God, Country, Notre Dame.” Under his leadership, the Fightin’ Irish Battalion has upheld a tradition of excellence, ensuring cadets are well prepared for their future roles as Army officers.
The PMS of the Year Award is given annually to a professor of military science who exemplifies outstanding performance, leadership, and mission success. Candidates are evaluated based on physical fitness, training accomplishments, commissioning mission success, and contributions to their respective programs.
Ken Heckel, director for the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, celebrated Kobbe’s achievement. “LTC Kobbe’s leadership of the University of Notre Dame’s Army ROTC Fightin’ Irish Battalion is unsurpassed. He and his entire team remain dedicated to training, developing, educating, and inspiring the next generation of servant leaders.”
In response to the award, Kobbe said, “I am truly humbled by the recognition but acknowledge no individual award is earned alone. The US Army is the greatest team sport and the ND Army ROTC program is no exception. All credit is to our teammates—the cadets, staff, and faculty. God, Country, Notre Dame.”
Kobbe’s recognition as PMS of the Year is a testament to his profound impact on both the cadets he mentors and the broader Notre Dame community. His leadership continues to shape the future of the Army through his unwavering commitment to excellence in military education.
Originally published by at ndworks.nd.edu on April 14, 2025.