Four Marshall University students will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army during the university’s annual ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 16, in the Memorial Student Center’s basement in room BE4.
Since 1951, Marshall’s commissioning ceremony has served as the culmination of years of study and effort, resulting in a cadet becoming a commissioned officer, according to Kelli Brewer, ROTC recruiting operations officer.
“This marks the transition from officer trainee to a leader of soldiers,” Brewer said. “Attendees will have the chance to hear our keynote speaker, Brigadier General Timothy E. Hill, speak about their new leadership roles while leading soldiers under their command. Cadets will take their Oath of Office, pledging to support the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, and to obey the President.”
The four students to be commissioned are:
Erich William Clark
Clark is a graduate of Spring Valley High School in Huntington, West Virginia. He is the son of Roger and Nancy Lyons of Huntington. He enrolled at Marshall University in spring 2013 and is graduating with his Regents Bachelor of Arts degree. Clark will be pinned as a Second Lieutenant by his parents. SFC (Ret) Max Layne will render his first salute and LTC (Ret) Gerald Damron will administer his Oath of Office. Second Lieutenant Clark will serve in the West Virginia Army National Guard and was branched into the Corps of Engineers. He will begin Basic Officer Leader Course B training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in March. His first duty station will be in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
Jevon DeShawne Hayes
Hayes is a graduate of Fairland High School in Proctorville, Ohio. He is the son of Todd and Tara Hayes of Weirton, West Virginia. Hayes enrolled at Marshall University in fall 2009 and is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. He enlisted in West Virginia National Guard in October 2013 as a 19D Cav Scout. He has served with B troop of the 150th as a SMP cadet. His awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal. Hayes will be pinned as a Second Lieutenant by his mother, Tara Hayes, and his cousin, Davina Snyder. Master Sergeant Brandon M. McGuire will render his first salute and Lieutenant Michael E. Steelman Jr. will administer his Oath of Office. Second Lieutenant Hayes will serve in the West Virginia Army National Guard and was branched into the Armor Corps. He will begin Basic Officer Leader Course B training in Fort Benning, Georgia, in August. His first duty station will be at A-troop 1/150th in Logan, West Virginia.
Tyler Michael Foster
Foster is a graduate of Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg. He is the son of Michael and Heather Foster of Parkersburg. He enrolled at Marshall University in spring 2013 and is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history. Foster enlisted in West Virginia National Guard in August 2012 as a combat engineer. He has served with the 119th Sapper Company as a SMP cadet. His awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal and the Basic Parachutist Badge. He will be pinned as a Second Lieutenant by his uncle, Dennis Maxwell. Master Sergeant Brandon M. McGuire will render his first salute and Lieutenant Colonel Michael E. Steelman Jr. will administer his Oath of Office. Second Lieutenant Foster will serve in the active duty component of the United States Army and was branched into the Infantry. He will begin Basic Officer Leader Course B training at Fort Benning, Georgia, in March.
Ryan K. Morris
Second Lieutenant Ryan K. Morris is a graduate of Spring Valley High School in Huntington, West Virginia. He is the son of Bo and Dreama Morris of Huntington. He enrolled at Marshall University in fall 2012 and is graduating with a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree. Morris will be pinned as a Second Lieutenant by his parents. Master Sergeant Brandon M. McGuire will render his first salute and Lieutenant Colonel Michael E. Steelman Jr. will administer his Oath of Office. Second Lieutenant Morris will serve in the West Virginia National Guard and was branched into the Armor Corps and will serve in A-troop 1/150th Armor in Logan, West Virginia.
Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. To learn more about Marshall’s Army Regents Bachelor of Arts degree OTC program, visit www.marshall.edu/rotc.