MTSU ROTC commissions 11 into three military branches

MTSU’s military science program commissioned 11 senior ROTC cadets as second lieutenants into three branches of the military during ceremonies May 4 at the University’s Veterans Memorial outside the Tom H. Jackson Building.

Attended by family and friends, MTSU faculty, staff, administrators and alumni, the 11 new commissionees heard remarks from U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William N. “Bill” Phillips, a 1976 MTSU graduate who is principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army in acquisition logistics and technology and director in acquisition career management.

Lt. Gen. William N. "Bill" Phillips

Phillips spoke about trust and the many challenges the cadets will encounter, mentioning “trust of the American people, trust in their brothers and sisters in arms and trust in their equipment.

“Our profession of the Army revolves around trust,” he said, adding, “You will be challenged every day. You will face many challenges in many ways.”

Each of the students will graduate May 5 during MTSU’s spring 2012 commencement ceremonies in Murphy Center.

Six of the new second lieutenants will be assigned to active duty. One will be reporting to the Army Reserves, and four will be commissioned to the National Guard.

Lt. Col. T.K. Kast oversaw his final commissioning ceremony as professor of military science. He will retire from the Army later this summer.

The newly commissioned cadets include:

Jeremie M. Blattler of Enville, Tenn., son of Lorri and Brian Blattler, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in history and is heading to reserve-forces duty with the National Guard in the Field Artillery Branch;
Sonia F. Dixon of Clarksville, Tenn., daughter of Manuel and Hui Yong Dixon, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in art history and is being commissioned to reserve-forces duty with the Signal Corps Branch;
Kimberly A. Isham of Evansville, Ind., daughter of Mark and Sheri Isham, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in construction management and is being commissioned to reserve-forces duty in the Engineer Branch;
Colton C. Parr, son of David Parr of Spring Hill and Soraya Parr of Fairview, Tenn., who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and is being assigned to Fort Benning, Ga.;
Brandon E. Pearson, son of Steve Pearson of Tullahoma, Tenn., and Cheri Cameron of Manchester, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in construction management and is being commissioned to active duty in the Medical Service Corps;
Johnathon C. Schleicher of Murfreesboro, son of John and Donna Schleicher, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and is being commissioned to reserve-forces duty in the Engineer Branch;
Jason P. Stisser of Murfreesboro and Georgia Center, Vt., the husband of Kelle Stisser and stepson of Wendy Coy of St. Albans, Vt., who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and is being commissioned to active duty in the Infantry Branch and assigned to Fort Benning;
Melvin D. Taylor Jr. of Clarksville, son of Melvin and Cathy Taylor, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science and is being commissioned to reserve-forces duty in the Army Reserves, Quartermaster Branch;
Bradley C. Weber of Columbia, Tenn., son of Carolyn Acton, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science and is being commissioned as a second lieutenant to active duty in the Ordnance Branch;
Joshua G. Wilcox of Clarksville, son of Tammy and Sylvester Wilcox, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in geosciences and is being commissioned to active duty in the Aviation Branch and assigned to Fort Rucker, Ala.; and
Spencer R. Williamson of Murphy, N.C., husband of Candy Williamson and son of Tonja and Bobby Wiggins, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and is being commissioned to active duty in the Military Police Branch.