ROTC commissioning
JOHNSON CITY (May 10, 2018) – The Military Science Department at East Tennessee State University commissioned 11 ROTC cadets as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during a special ceremony featuring guest speaker Major General Gary L. Harrell.
Harrell, a retired deputy commanding general, United States Army Special Operations Command, was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation from ETSU in 1973. He served as troop commander for the 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force) in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, which performed the successful hostage rescue of U.S. citizen Kurt Muse held captive in Modelo Prison prior to the main U.S. invasion of Panama.
Harrell also led forces in Columbia against Pablo Escobar, and during his deployment to Somalia, he was the ground force commander for combat operations, a portion of which was later depicted in the book and movie “Blackhawk Down.” Harrell was severely wounded during the raid.
Following the September 11 terrorist attack, Harrell served as the assistant division commander for the 10th Mountain Division during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. He also commanded the largest special operations forces assembled since World War II during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The 11 ETSU ROTC cadets commissioned as second lieutenants graduated May 5. They are:
Christopher Banks has earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and will be assigned to the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the Tennessee Army National Guard upon completion of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He served as the battalion command sergeant major and held the rank of cadet sergeant major in the Buccaneer Battalion. Banks is the son of Teresa and Joseph Nickles of Jonesborough.
Sydney Barnett, of Johnson City, served as the battalion S-4 and held the rank of cadet captain in the Buccaneer Battalion. The daughter of Jennifer Barnett, she has earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Upon completion of the Adjutant General Officer Basic Course, she will be assigned to the 278th Armored Calvary Regiment of the Tennessee Army National Guard.
Victoria Bond will be assigned to the 1032nd Detachment Transportation Company in Abingdon, Virginia,following completion of the Transportation Officer Basic Course. In the Buccaneer Battalion, she held the rank of 2LT as the S1 and 2nd platoon leader. Bond, the daughter of CM and Robin Bond of Nickelsville, Virginia, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Logan Fleenor, the son of Jennifer Fleenor-Wilson and Danny Wilson of Bristol, will earn a bachelor of business administration with a concentration in corporate finance. After completing the Ordnance Corps Officer Basic Course, Fleenor will be assigned to the 0710 Combat Support Battalion Brigade at Fort Polk, Louisiana. In the Buccaneer Battalion, he served as the battalion S5 and company executive officer and held the rank of cadet captain.
Ashley Hayes has earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. She will be a second lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, upon completion of the Medical Service Corps Officer Basic Course. Hayes, who received the Distinguished Military Graduate Award, served as the battalion commander and assistant operations officer in the Buccaneer Battalion and held the rank of cadet lieutenant colonel. She is the daughter of Heather Lawson and Eric and Randi Hayes of Clinton.
Robert Hodge, of Athens, served as Company Commander and held the rank of cadet captain in the Buccaneer Battalion. The son of Gerald Hodge and Kathleen Shell, Hodge has earned a bachelor’s degree in geosciences. He will join the Ordnance Corps upon completion of the Ordnance Officer Basic Course and will be assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington.
Hunter Robinson is receiving commission in the Quartermaster Corps and following completion of Quartermaster Corps Basic Course, he will be assigned to the 730th Quartermaster Company of the Tennessee Army National Guard. Robinson has earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and served as assistant S3 and 1st platoon leader in the Buc Battalion. He is the son of Terry and April Robinson of Bluff City.
Sean Robinson will be assigned to the Charlie Company 136th Signal Battalion in Houston, Texas, upon completion of the Signal Corps Officer Basic Course. He served as the Buccaneer Battalion S6 officer and held the rank of Cadet Captain. Robinson is the son of Tony and Tina Robinson of Ringgold, Georgia, and earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology.
Lori Rock, the daughter of Steve and Pam Rock of Abingdon, Virginia, has earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. She served as the battalion S3 and Platoon leader and held the rank of cadet major in the Buccaneer Battalion. Rock is receiving her commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers.
Andrew Skeens served as the public affairs officer and held the rank of Cadet Captain in the Buccaneer Battalion. He is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, a criminal justice honor society, and held the position of associate justice for ETSU’s Student Government Association. The son of James and Pamela Skeens of Vansant, Virginia, Skeens has earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is receiving his commission as a second lieutenant in the infantry.
Nicholas K. Yegon, of Bomet, Kenya, served as the PT OIC in the Buccaneer Battalion. Yegon, the son of Margret and the late Stephen Turgut, has earned a master’s degree in engineering technology. He is receiving his commission as a second lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps. Upon completion of the Ordnance Corps Officer Basic Course, he will be assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado.