Three cadets from the Raider Battalion were ranked in the top 50 of 3,171 ROTC cadets competing for active duty with Shippensburg University’s Daniel Prachthauser landing in the top 15 in the nation on the Order of Merit List. The list is used to evaluate and rank all Army ROTC seniors in the United States to determine active-duty/reserve component selections and branch assignments.
Prachthauser, also named a Distinguished Military Graduate, is a senior political science and history major set to graduate in May 2026.
“I was very happy when I found out; it is one of those things where it was the culmination of years of hard work. I called my parents as soon as I found out to share the news. Looking back at it now, I am so grateful to be ranked so highly among my peers. It puts on paper all the hard work I’ve put in as well as the effort and support of my mentors and cadre who did just as much preparing me,” said Prachthauser.
The rankings, released each fall, are calculated through a points system that reviews a cadet’s academic, leadership and physical fitness outcomes.
“Daniel has earned this recognition through sustained hard work and a clear commitment to becoming an Army officer. His national rankings speak to his performance, but they also reflect the character and professionalism he brings to our battalion every day. He represents Shippensburg University and the Raider Battalion exceptionally well,” said LTC Jacob Phillips, professor of military science.
Making Prachthauser’s ranking even more impressive is the added responsibility he carries as a member of the Ship Ranger Challenge Team and a local volunteer firefighter with the Vigilant Hose Company in Shippensburg. Over the course of his time with the company, Prachthauser has completed well over 140 hours of training to become an interior firefighter with the company and was a responder to the historic Michaux State Forest Fire in 2025. He spent his days attending classes, fulfilling ROTC obligations and evenings assisting at the scene of the fire, working to protect homes and structures in the path of the over 2,000-acre blaze.
“There are definitely times where everything adds up and I’m fighting an uphill battle against work, but mostly, I have found a balance for everything. Certainly, I have missed out on things I would have liked to do but everything happens for a reason. It sounds like a lot, but I have just tried to do the most with my time and get the most out of my experiences,” Prachthauser explained.
During his time at Ship, Prachthauser said he has gained a lot of knowledge and a better understanding of who he is. The most valuable lesson of all he shared is realizing he should not worry about things he cannot control.
“I have caught myself doing just the opposite plenty of times, but when I realize that I have no control over it, I worry less. Whether it be a grade on a test or waiting to see what I branch into, I have done the work and there is nothing else to do, so why worry” he added.
On December 3, branches will be released by Cadet Command and Prachthauser will know what’s next after graduation. But committed to not worrying about things he can’t control, he remains focused on the journey and not the finish line.
Two additional Raider Battalion cadets earned commendable rankings along with Prachthauser, Cadet Ethan Weaver, Messiah College was ranked 33 on the active-duty list and Cadet Cole Stauffer, Gettysburg College, was ranked 49 on the active-duty list. Raiders lead the way!
