Army ROTC Commissions Four New Second Lieutenants Into U.S. Army

Photo Submitted

Chancellor David Gearhart presents the new second lieutenants with the Chancellor's Challenge Coin

The Army ROTC Razorback Brigade commissioned four new second lieutenants into the Army on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014. The ceremony was held at 2 p.m. in the E. J. Ball Courtroom in the Law School Building here on the campus of the University of Arkansas. 

Present at the event was Chancellor G. David Gearhart, who presented the commissionees with the Chancellor's Challenge Coin, which is given to military veterans who are alumni of the University of Arkansas.  Also present at the event were Provost Sharon Gaber, vice chancellor for academic affairs; Daniel Pugh Sr., vice provost for student affairs; Col. Walt Catlett, the guest speaker and a father of a commissionee; Lt. Col. Charles Pudil, professor of military science; and Lt. Col. Buster McCall, professor of aerospace science, who gave remarks and the introduction to the guest speaker. There were many family members, friends, fellow cadets and cadre present as well. 

The following is the list of those who commissioned, their degree, who administered the oaths of office, who affixed their bars (rank), the non-commissioned officer who rendered their first salute, as well as their branches and components in the U.S. Army:

• 2nd Lt. Candice Catlett
  Degree: Nursing
  Col. Walt Catlett, father, administered the federal oath of office
  Suzanne Catlett, mother, and Wanda Tapp, grandmother, affixed the bars
  Sgt. 1st Class(r) Adam Burfitt rendered the first salute
  Branch: Army Nurse Corps, Active Duty
• 2nd Lt. Mason Gibbons
  Degree: Kinesiology
  1st Lt. Jake Pultro administered the federal oath of office
  Lonnie and Mindy Gibbons, parents, affixed the bars
  Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Humphrey rendered the first salute
  Branch: Infantry Corps, Active Duty
• 2nd Lt. Pornchai Sinwitayarak "Bank"
  Degree: Biochemistry
  Lt. Col. Charles Pudil administered the federal oath of office
  Major Lionel Riley administered the state oath of office
  Sgt.(r) Mark and Krauwan Lloyd, parents, affixed the bars
  Sgt.(r) Mark Lloyd rendered the first salute
  Branch: Medical Service Corps, Arkansas Army National Guard
• 2nd Lt. Stewart Tice
  Degree: Criminal Justice
  1st Lt. Jake Pultro administered the federal oath of office
  John and Jackie Tice, father and step-mother, and Leah and David Darling, mother and step-father, affixed the bars
  Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Humphrey rendered the first salute
  Branch: Field Artillery Corps, Active Duty

The cadre and staff of the Razorback Brigade are very proud of their newly commissioned second lieutenants. These young officers have worked very hard and have earned their title.

To learn more about the Army ROTC program available at UA Fayetteville, UA Fort Smith and Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, visit the Army ROTC website at armyrotc.uark.edu.