The former chair of the MTSU Military Science Department returned to address 13 ROTC cadets being commissioned as second lieutenants in various branches of the U.S. Army, reserves and national guard.

Regarding leadership, retired Lt. Col. Joel Miller referenced his own commissioning ceremony from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, nearly 30 years ago. Miller spoke about “leading by example and the goal as leaders, not only for the military, but for the nation in general.”

Newly commissioned U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Charity Savage, center, of Memphis, Tenn., bends slightly, allowing grandmother Mary Savage, left, best friend Ariel Smith and mother Tammy Savage to pin on the bars to her uniform Friday, May 6, during the MTSU Blue Raider Battalion spring commissioning ceremony in the Tom H. Jackson Building’s Cantrell Hall. Charity Savage, who will graduate Saturday, May 7, will be receiving her Master of Science in Professional Science in biotechnology. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joel Miller talks about leadership to the audience that includes 13 students receiving their commissioning as second lieutenants Friday, May 6, in MTSU’s Cantrell Hall in the Tom H. Jackson Building. Miller is the former department chair. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Miller spoke during the Friday, May 6, ceremony attended by a capacity crowd of family, friends and supporters in the MTSU Tom H. Jackson Building’s Cantrell Hall. The commissioning ceremony is a tradition for the ROTC program, which has seen the student cadets prepare for service to their country.

“Whether you are going active duty, reserve or National Guard, your service and leadership is desired and needed beyond the realm of the profession of arms,” Miller added, mentioning the military term for leaders who build trust and confidence up and down the chain of command and with the American people they serve.

Miller is vice president of sales and marketing for Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc., in Murfreesboro. He is married to Hilary Miller, director of the MTSU Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center.

The honorees, who recently received red stoles during the Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony to wear at commencement, will graduate Saturday, May 7, in Murphy Center.

MTSU Military Science Department interim chair and U.S. Army Maj. Ben Sweeney, right, administers the Commissioning Oath to 13 ROTC cadets as they received their commissioning Friday, May 6, during the MTSU Blue Raider Battalion spring commissioning ceremony in the Tom H. Jackson Building’s Cantrell Hall. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Those commissioned include:

• Alexis Anderson of Memphis, Tennessee, who earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and will be active duty in the Ordnance Branch.

• Zach Dougan of Christiana, Tennessee, who earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems and will be active duty in the Ordnance Branch.

• Hayden Hittle of Lebanon, Tennessee, who earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace/professional pilot concentration and will be reserve forces duty/aviation branch with the Tennessee National Guard.

• Brenden Jones of Olive Branch, Mississippi, who earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and will be active duty in the Air Defense Artillery Branch.

• Michael Maynard of Carver, Massachusetts, who earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce and will be in the Quartermaster Branch, U.S. Army Reserve.

• Joshua Muller of East Lyme, Connecticut, who earned a bachelor’s degree in integrated studies and will be active duty in the Military Intelligence Branch.

• Caleb Rowland of Springfield, Tennessee, who earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace/pro pilot concentration and will be reserve forces duty in the Aviation Branch.

• Tahseen Samo of Murfreesboro, who earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and will be in the Military Police Branch in the U.S. Army Reserve.

• Charity Savage of Memphis, who earned a Master of Science in Professional Science degree in biotechnology and will be active duty in the Chemical Branch.

• John Sharp of Knoxville, Tennessee, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Concrete Industry Management and will be active duty in the Transportation Branch.

• Tyler Vongpanya of Murfreesboro, who earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and will be active duty in the Cyber Branch.

• Caleb Watts of Salem, Missouri, who earned a master’s degree in economics and will be active duty in the Adjutant General Branch.

• Pontell Wright of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and will be active duty in the Medical Service Branch.

While wife Taylor Maynard, left, pins on his second lieutenant bars on the uniform, newly commissioned Michael Maynard holds their son, Oliver, Friday, May 6, during the MTSU Blue Raider Battalion spring commissioning ceremony in the Tom H. Jackson Building’s Cantrell Hall. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

U.S. Army Maj. Ben Sweeney, the military science interim chair, said it was “an awesome day, to get the opportunity to see 13 men and women that have accomplished so much over four years that now are going to step out and lead America’s sons and daughters. It’s just a phenomenal day for them and for me, getting the opportunity to do it.”

For more information about military science at MTSU, call 615-898-2470.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

A crowd of more than 150 people attended the MTSU Blue Raider Battalion Spring Commissioning ceremony Friday, May 6, in Cantrell Hall in the Tom H. Jackson Building. Thirteen former military science ROTC cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants into various branches of the U.S. Army, reserves or National Guard. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)