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

Army Lt. Col. Arlin Wilsher, professor of Military Science, presided over the event and administered the Army Oath. Army Col. Bobby Rominger served as guest speaker, offering an encouraging and inspirational message to the newly commissioned officers as they celebrated alongside family, friends, fellow Blue Raider Battalion members, and MTSU faculty and staff.

Commissioning ceremonies are formal events that mark the transition of cadets into official military service. The ceremony includes the swearing-in by a senior military officer, the traditional pinning of rank insignia by family members, and the symbolic first salute, often shared with a mentor or loved one. The cadets also participated in MTSU’s commencement ceremonies held May 9-10 in Murphy Center.

Rominger, a Gallatin native originally from Hamilton County, currently serves as the J-3 director of operations and military support to civil authority with the Tennessee Army National Guard in Nashville. In this role, he supports the Tennessee Command Group in directing and coordinating all Guard operations.

The event also marked the final commissioning ceremony for Lt. Col. Wilsher, who will retire later this year after serving 26 years in the U.S. Army.

The following cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants:

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

Matthew R. Chappel, of Murfreesboro, earned a bachelor’s degree in construction management. He will serve in the Ordnance Branch of the Tennessee National Guard as a reservist.

Brian J. George, of Murfreesboro, earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and will enter active duty in the Field Artillery Branch, reporting to Fort Sill in September after temporary duty as camp cadre at Fort Knox.

Aiden F. Hogan, of Spring Hill, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and will enter active duty in the Field Artillery Branch, reporting to Fort Sill in June.

George A. Jouny, of Mt. Juliet, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and will serve in the Military Intelligence Branch, reporting to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, in October.

Maxwell B. Kawaler, of La Vergne, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and will serve in the Medical Services Branch, reporting to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in August after temporary duty at Fort Knox.

Deepesh Khadka, of Antioch, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechatronics engineering. He will serve in the Engineer Branch, reporting to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in December.

Brandon J. Moorehead, of Murfreesboro, earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. He will serve in the Engineer Branch with the Tennessee Army National Guard as a reservist.

Gabriel F. Sussman, of McMinnville, earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and will serve in the Signal Branch with the Tennessee National Guard as a reservist.

For more information about the MTSU Military Science program, one of 11 departments in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, call 615-898-2470 or visit mtsu.edu/arotc1.

Photo Above Article:  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)