BROOKINGS – The Air Force ROTC program held its annual commissioning ceremony May 4 at Grace Point Activity Center, where 10 graduating seniors became second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force.
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BROOKINGS – The Air Force ROTC program held its annual commissioning ceremony May 4 at Grace Point Activity Center, where 10 graduating seniors became second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force.
The program requires students to complete multiple aerospace studies classes and learn leadership skills to prepare them to lead airmen in the Air Force. The seniors have completed these requirements and will be making the transition from cadet to commissioned officer.
Chandler Bauer, a computer science major from Owatonna, Minnesota, was commissioned in the ceremony and helped plan the event. Bauer said he enjoyed the responsibility of organizing the event and is looking forward to his role as a combat systems officer in the Air Force.
“Commissioning means we’re being called upon by our country to go perform the duties that we’ve been preparing for the last four years,” Bauer said. “It’s kind of like the changing of the mantle of responsibility from one generation to the next.”
The ceremony was open to the public, and the graduates had family and friends at the event supporting the beginning steps in their careers as officers.
“It’s our turn to be the leaders of this country and be responsible for where it goes,” Bauer said.
The commissioning seniors are:
• Chandler Bauer, computer science major of Owatonna, Minnesota.
• Gerald Peden, journalism major of Chicago, Illinois.
• Emily Johnson, political science major of Canton.
• John Jordan, history major of Sturgis.
• Cole Jorgensen, mechanical engineering major of Hartford.
• Tyler Joyal, nursing major of Rapid City.
• Luke Menor, mathematics for information systems of Ramona.
• Jared Nueharth, agricultural engineering of Eureka.
• Nathan Shilvock, graduate student with a bachelor’s in health education pursuing a master’s in mass communication of Spirit Lake, Iowa.
• Mason Walker, mechanical engineering major of Sioux Falls.
The new officers will begin their careers in the Air Force following graduation. They must complete training for their specific positions and then they will serve in leadership roles to airmen across the military.
Courtesy photo
