PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) — Of all the officers commissioned every year by the Army, less than one percent rise to the rank of Brigadier General; and one who achieves that rank, obtains doctoral degrees and works as a college professors is even more rare.

Brigadier General Lew Irwin, associate professor of political science at Duquesne University, has done just that.

Commander of the 926th Engineer Brigade, a combat engineer unit of the U.S. Army Reserve based in Montgomery, Ala., Dr Irwin is a highly decorated officer, has written several books, and spent time in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, he was instrumental in forming the Afghan police and army. He also happens to be from Washington County and currently lives with his family in Peters Township

KDKA AM’s Larry Richert and John Shumway talk to Brigadier General Irwin about his military career, his teaching career, and his thoughts on the Middle East.

Click the link below to listen to the full interview: