The University of Nevada, Reno just commissioned nine senior cadets as Second Lieutenants into the U.S. Army. ROTC is the major commissioning source for all the branches of the U.S. Military. The commissioning ceremony is the culmination of four years of training for the Cadets. Over the course of their studies they learn to become more than just college graduates, they are leaders capable of solving complex problems in a complex world. For many the commission is more of an achievement than the diploma. They leave this University as leaders in our nation's Army, fully ready to defend the Constitution and the American people. This is what cadets strive for. When cadets contract into ROTC they raise their right hand and take an oath, but when they commission the oath takes meaning.

For the Regular Army and the Army Reserves, this oath is: 

"I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

For the National Guard: "I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of Nevada against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of Nevada and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations. So help me God."

Brig. General Micheal
Hanifan, Commander of the
Nevada Army National
Guard, addresses the future
leaders and their families.

The ceremony is composed of three main parts, the pinning of the rank by the families of each commissioning cadet, the oath delivered by a senior commissioned officer and the "Silver Dollar" salute, which is a tradition in the Army that newly commissioned Second Lieutenants present a silver dollar to the first enlisted soldier who salutes them. The coin symbolically acknowledges the receipt of respect due the new rank and position.

This year the cadets were honored with guest speaker Brigadier General Michael Hanifan, the Commander of the Nevada Army National Guard. General Hanifan is a 1986 graduate of West Point, who has 10 years of active duty experience and has been activated four times for more than four combined years of active service since 9/11, assigned to various positions as a member of the Nevada National Guard. He has served at every level of leadership in the Army, and has graduated from several military educational institutes including: the U.S. Army War College, Support Operations, Command and General Staff College. 

While the General tried to keep it short, he wanted to make sure the cadets walked away remembering at least a little more than their Silver Dollar Salute and their pinning.  He gave them the following five points; they are perhaps worth noting not just for the Lieutenants but for all graduates and future leaders.

2nd Lieutenants Michael Colyer
and Allie Harvey read to take
on the responsibilities of an
ever changing army. 

1.  Over the next two years give 100 percent in everything you do. 

2.   Build relationships of trust and respect with your Non Commissioned Officers. 

3.     Take care of "Our" Soldiers and avoid toxic leadership.

4.     Listen to your conscience and do the right thing.

5.     Study world events.

These honored newly commissioned Lieutenants, listed below, are heading off to various assignments in the near future.  Three are going on active duty, five are going in the Nevada National Guard and one is going into the Army Reserves.

2LT Brian Michael Bullian
Nevada National Guard - Medical Detachment
Medical Services Corps

2LT Brandon Tyler Castinado
Active Duty - Ft. Benning, GA
Infantry

2LT Michael John Colyer
National Guard - 1-221 CAV
Armor

2LT Cody Harlan
National Guard
Transportation

2LT Allie Corinne Harvey
National Guard 
Signal Corps

2LT Anthony David LaFleur
Army Reserves
Military Intelligence

2LT Robert Jonathon Park
Active Duty - Ft. Wainwright, AK
Chemical Corps

2LT Joed Ruth
Nevada National Guard
Field Artillery

2LT Jacob Cole Ziolokowski
Active Duty - Ft. Benning, GA
Armor