LTC Donald P
Racheter USA/USAR
1970-1996
Don joined the Army ROTC program in the summer of 1970 while attending graduate school in the political science department. After a summer camp to replace the first two years of the program, he completed his commission in 1972 and was granted a one-year academic delay to complete all his coursework for a doctoral degree prior to entering on active duty. As a cadet he rose rapidly through the ranks from squad leader to Brigade Commander and was the Distinguished Graduate of his class.
In July 1973 Racheter reported to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, IN for his Adjutant General Corps Officer Basic Course. He served as class secretary, and again was the Distinguished Graduate of his class. He then reported for active duty as the Assistant Adjutant of the Communications Systems Agency (forward) at Fort Huachuca, AZ. At the completion of his two-year tour he was awarded an Army Commendation Medal and promoted from Second to First Lieutenant.
Upon his return to Iowa City to continue work on his dissertation, Don joined the 1st of the 410th Infantry Battalion, first assigned as the Race Relations/Equal Opportunity Officer in the S-1 shop, and then assigned as an Assistant Training Officer in the S-3 shop.
When he was hired as a political science professor by Central College in Pella in the fall of 1976, Racheter transferred to the 103rd Support Brigade in Des Moines, first assigned as the Classified Documents Custodian, and then as an Assistant Adjutant.
After an early promotion to Captain, Racheter was selected as the Commander of the 312th Supply Company. Upon the successful completion of his tour of duty, he was selected for special training as an Assistant Inspector General assigned to the 103rd Corps Support Command (COSCOM). After four years in that position Don was given an early promotion to Major and was selected as the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) for the COSCOM, a member of the Major General Commander’s Personal Staff.
While serving in the PAO slot, he enrolled with the 5040th United States Army Reserve Forces (USARF) School to complete his required Command and General Staff (C&GS) Officer’s Course. As the Distinguished Graduate of the class and a college professor in his civilian life, he was recruited by the School to become the C&GS Instructor for a three-year cycle. Don then served for three years as the Director of Officer Courses, three years as the Administrative Officer, and one year as the Director of Enlisted Courses before being tapped as the Assistant Commandant of the School.
Racheter was in line to become School Commandant when the USARF and National Guard training systems were combined as part of the “peace dividend” downsizing in 1996, his current and future slots were eliminated, and he retired with 26 years of “good time” and many fond memories of his service to his country.
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