ETSU ROTC commissions second lieutenants
JOHNSON CITY (May 8, 2020)– Nine cadets in the Army ROTC Program at East Tennessee State University have taken the oath of office and were commissioned as second lieutenants. The new officers will serve in various branches of the United States Army upon graduation from ETSU.
The commissioning is typically conducted during an in-person ceremony preceding ETSU’s Commencement Exercises, but for the safety of cadets and their families, a virtual ceremony is available to view online.
ETSU President Brian Noland provided the keynote address for cadets, and Lt. Col. Shawn Dodge, professor and chair of Military Science, led the commissionings. In addition to the pinning of the bars, the commissionees took part in the “Silver Dollar Tradition” by presenting a shiny silver dollar to the first enlisted soldier to salute him or her.
The nine graduating members of the Buccaneer Battalion join the ranks of more than 1,500 cadets to be commissioned at ETSU since the ROTC Program began in 1953. The Class of 2020 will be awarded degrees at ETSU’s Virtual Commencement Ceremony Saturday, May 9.
Those who commissioned as second lieutenants are:
John Davis of Kingsport held the rank of cadet major in the Buccaneer Battalion and served as the company first sergeant, battalion S3, battalion assistant S2 and assistant S5. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in geosciences with a concentration in geospatial technologies. Davis received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Ordnance branch. Upon completion of the Ordnance Basic Officers Leadership Course, he will be assigned to the 205th Ordnance platoon, Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Alaska.
Jonathan Pender DeLozier of Canton, North Carolina, held the rank of cadet lieutenant colonel in the Buccaneer Battalion and served as the battalion commander. DeLozier has earned a B.S. degree in interdisciplinary studies and received his United States Army commission as a second lieutenant in the Infantry.
Samuel Groomes of Kingsport held the rank of captain in the Buccaneer Battalion and served as the battalion S2 and AS-3. He has earned bachelor’s degrees in both criminology and international affairs and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Engineer Corps. Upon completion of the Engineer Corps Officer Basic Course, he will be assigned to Troop B Engineer Company of the Tennessee National Guard.
Lucas Alan Hackleman of Parsons, Kansas, held the rank of cadet captain in the Buccaneer Battalion, serving as the BN personnel and communications officer. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Adjutant General Corps. Upon completion of the Adjutant General Officer Basic Course, he will be assigned to the 138th Field Artillery Brigade of the Kentucky National Guard in Lexington to serve as a senior human resources officer.
Alexander Jatto of Greensboro, North Carolina, held the rank of cadet major in the Buccaneer Battalion and served as the battalion executive officer and S2/5. He has obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and received his United States Army commission as a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery Corps.
Bryan Miller of Asheville, North Carolina, held the rank of cadet captain in the Buccaneer Battalion and served as the company commander. Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Military Police. He will serve as a PL in the 210th Military Police Company in the North Carolina National Guard.
Adam Victor Stafford of Limestone served as the battalion command sergeant major in the Buccaneer Battalion. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Armor branch.
Braden Robert Trent of Johnson City held the rank of cadet major and served as both the battalion commander and the S3 in the Buccaneer Battalion. Trent has obtained a bachelor’s degree in communications studies and received his United States Army commission as a second lieutenant in the Infantry. Upon completion of the Infantry Basic Officers Leaders Course, he plans to be stationed with the 173rd Airborne Division in Italy.
Micah Kenyon Wheeler of Oak Ridge served as cadet command sergeant major in fall 2020 and cadet battalion executive officer this spring. Wheeler earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Infantry.