With right hand raised, now 2nd Lt. Michael Settembre completed his commissioning oath and began his career as an Army officer. Settembre, who will officially receive his baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering on Saturday the 19th of May, reflected on his five years as a student and ROTC cadet.
"It has been a great learning experience for me", Settembre said. "I look forward to my next great adventure and I could not have done this without the love and support of my family and friends."
Settembre was joined in the ceremony by his brother, 2nd Lt. Stephen Settembre, his parents Maria and Steven Settembre, and close friend Sgt. Jared Clack. Following the administration of the oath by his brother, Settembre had his rank pinned on by his parents, who had made the trip by car from their Las Vegas home to participate in the event. Clack, who attended high school with Settembre, was on hand to render the new Army officer his first salute.
Lt. Col Scott Maryott, the officer in charge of university's ROTC program, worked closely with Settembre during his time in the program.
"We are all so proud of Mike," Maryott said with a huge smile. "He is the kind of cadet that others can look to as an example of what an Army officer should be. He will make a fine lieutenant and will be a great ambassador for the University of Nevada."
Settembre will head to Fort Benning, Ga. for the Basic Officer Leadership Course and will complete his military training at Fort Knox, Ky., where he will gain the skills required to lead a tank company. Following his training, he will be assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas.