MTSU Military Science commissions 9 new leaders as U.S. Army 2nd lieutenants

Special certificate plaques, second lieutenant bars, magnet and coin for graduating senior cadet Matthew Chappel and the other eight cadets adorn the table at the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raider Battalion Spring Commissioning Ceremony held Friday, May 9, in Keathley University Center Theater on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. All were commissioned as second lieutenants into the U.S. Army. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Nine Middle Tennessee State University graduating senior cadets in the Military Scienceprogram were commissioned as U.S. Army second lieutenants in a special ceremony held recently in Keathley University Theater.

Army Lt. Col. Arlin Wilsher, the professor of military science, presided and administered the Army Oath. The guest speaker was Army Col. Bobby Rominger, providing an encouraging and inspirational sendoff as the newly commissioned officers celebrated with family, friends, Blue Raider Battalion members and MTSU faculty and staff.

Retired Staff Sgt. Arturo Corcoles, right, pins the second lieutenant bars onto newly commissioned officer Brian George during the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raider Battalion Spring Commissioning Ceremony held Friday, May 9, in the Keathley University Center Theater on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. George and eight other seniors graduated in ceremonies held May 9-10 in Murphy Center. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Commissioning ceremonies are a formal event celebrating cadets moving forward in their military journeys. They include the swearing-in by a military leader, pinning by family member and first salute from family or friends. They graduated in May 9-10 in ceremonies held in Murphy Center.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Arlin Wilsher, professor of military science — Lt. Col. Arlin Wilsher

Rominger, who is from Gallatin and a Hamilton County native, is J-3 director of operations and military support to civil authority with the Tennessee Army National Guard in Nashville. In his role, Rominger is responsible for assisting the Tennessee Command Group in direction and control of all guard operations.

It marked the final commissioning ceremony and public event for Wilsher, who will be retiring later this year after serving his country for 26 years.

From left, graduating senior cadets William Broad, Matthew Chappell, Brian George, Aidan Hogan, George Jouny, Maxwell Kawaler, Deepesh Khadka, Brandon Moorehead and Gabriel Sussman take the U.S. Army Oath from Army Lt. Col. Arlin Wilsher, as audience members watch during the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raider Battalion Spring Commissioning Ceremony Friday, May 9, in the Keathley University Center Theater on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Those commissioned May 9 included:

• William Broad, of Murfreesboro, who earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations. He will be active duty in the Air Defense Branch and report to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to begin his Basic Officer Leader Course in July.

• Matthew R. Chappel, of Murfreesboro, who earned a bachelor’s degree in construction management. He will be reserve forces duty in Ordnance Branch of the Tennessee National Guard.

• Brian J. George, of Murfreesboro, who earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and will be active duty in the Field Artillery Branch, reporting to Fort Sill to begin his Basic Officer Leader Course in September after temporary duty as camp cadre at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

• Aiden F. Hogan, of Spring Hill, who earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and will be active duty in the Field Artillery Branch, reporting to Camp Sill in June for his Basic Officer Leader Course.

Family members offer a first salute, a U.S. Army tradition, to newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Brandon Moorehead of Murfreesboro, Tenn., during the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raider Battalion Spring Commissioning Ceremony held Friday, May 9, in the Keathley University Center Theater on campus in Murfreesboro. Moorehead earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and will be reserve forces duty in the Engineer Branch with the Tennessee Army National Guard. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli) — Family members offer a first salute, a U.S. Army tradition, to newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Brandon Moorehead of Murfreesboro, Tenn., during the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raider Battalion Spring Commissioning Ceremony Friday, May 9, in the Keathley University Center Theater on campus in Murfreesboro. Moorehead earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and will be reserve forces duty in the Engineer Branch with the Tennessee Army National Guard. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

• George A. Jouny, of Mt. Juliet, who earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and will be active duty in the Military Intelligence Branch, then proceed to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, to begin his Basic Officer Leader Course in October.

• Maxwell B. Kawaler, of La Vergne, who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and will be active duty in the Medical Services Branch, reporting to Fort Sam Houston in Texas for his Basic Officer Leader Course in August after temporary duty as camp cadre at Fort Knox.

• Deepesh Khadka, of Antioch, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mechatronics engineering. He will be active duty in the Engineer Branch, reporting to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for his Basic Officer Leader Course in December.

• Brandon J. Moorehead, of Murfreesboro, who earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. He will be reserve forces duty in the Engineer Branch with the Tennessee Army National Guard.

• Gabriel F. Sussman, of McMinnville, who earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He will be reserve forces duty in the Signal Branch with the Tennessee National Guard.

To learn more about Military Science, one of 11 College of Basic and Applied Sciences departments, call 615-898-2470 or visit https://www.mtsu.edu/arotc1/.

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