Commissioning ceremonies from the U of A Army ROTC are events for cadets who have undergone at least four years of training here on campus and at various military installations throughout the country — sometimes abroad — finally becoming a second lieutenant in the greatest Army on Earth.

It is a time of paying well-deserved tribute to these hard-working young people. It is also a time for a father to administer the oath of office to his namesake. A mother to fight tears as she tries not to embarrass her soldier while pinning the rank on his/her shoulder. It's a time for a grandpa to have what one grandfather called the biggest honor of his military career — render the first salute to his "little" grandchild, who now outranks him. It's a time of great family pride and such an honor to behold.

The Razorback Battalion — U of A Army ROTC — commissioned 12 second lieutenants into the United States Army on Friday, May 9. Our newest 2LTs are as follows:

• Robert "Bobby" C. Cloud:  B.S.B.A. in supply chain management with a minor in information systems; Branched Active Duty Army in Armor.
• Gavin O. Felker: B.S.B.A. in accounting; Branched Active Duty Army in the Finance Corps with a branch detail of Chemical Corps.
• Matthew G. Gilbert: B.S. in exercise science; Branched Active Duty in Aviation.
• Thomas W. Holley: B.A. in criminology and sociology, with a minor in education studies; Branched Active Duty Army in the Transportation Corps.
• Joseph T. Hull: B.A. in architecture; Branched Texas Army National Guard in the Engineering Corps.
• Nicholas P. Jaskolski: B.S.B.A. in marketing, with a minor in history; Branched Texas Army National Guard in the Infantry.
• Diego Juarez:  B.A. in criminology and sociology; Branched Arkansas Active Duty Army in the Military Intelligence Corps.
• Jenova A. Kempkes: B.S. in biomedical engineering with honors; Branched Active Duty Army in the Medical Service Corps with an Educational Delay to attend Medical School at the Uniformed Services University.
• Alex M. Misenhimer: B.S.B.A. in business economics, with a minor in finance insurance/real estate; Branched Active Duty Army in the Engineering Corps.
• Demetrius S. Rogers: B.A. in criminology and sociology; Branched Active Duty Army in Armor.
• Frankie E. Williams: B.A. in Arabic/Middle East studies; Branched Active Duty Army in the Military Intelligence Corps.
• Sara L. Young: B.S. in exercise cience; Branched US Army Reserves in the Chemical Corps.

The guest speaker was Brig. Gen. Olen "Chad" Bridges, adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard. Other VIPs that were present are as follows:

• Brig. Gen. Nicholas Jaskolski, Arkansas Army National Guard Land Component commander
• Randy Massanelli, vice chancellor for Government and Community Relations
• Ann Bordelon, executive vice chancellor for Finance and Administration
• Jeremy Battjes, vice chancellor for Student Affairs
• Anna Zajicek, vice provost for Faculty Affairs
• Colleen Briney, vice provost for planning
• Melissa Harwood-Rom, senior associate vice chancellor and dean of students
• Danielle Williams, associate vice chancellor, Title IX coordinator and U.S. Army veteran
• Col. Jonathan Smith, commander 142nd Field Artillery Brigade
• Col. Mike Anderson, alumnus and president of the Razorback Brigade Alumni Board
• Col. Bob Crawford, alumnus and president of the local chapter of the Military Officers of America Association

The ceremony was held at the newly renovated E.J. Ball Courtroom in the Leflar Law Center, with the reception being in the Six Pioneers Room, also in the Law Building.

The cadre at the Razorback Battalion are very proud of our newest lieutenants. They will be a great contribution to the US Army and society as a whole.

For more information about the U of A Army ROTC, visit our website at armyrotc.uark.edu, email armyrotc@uark.edu or call 479-575-4251.