Army commissioning ceremony honors new officers, leadership

The East Carolina University Army ROTC Pirate Battalion held a summer commissioning ceremony Aug. 2 on main campus, which was the unit’s first under the leadership of Lt. Col. Scott Nusom and first with College of Health and Human Performance dean Dr. Nicole Bromfield.

The five cadets who took the Oath of Office commissioned as second lieutenants were:

Army ROTC cadets take the Oath of Office commissioned as second lieutenants.
(ECU Photo by Rhett Butler)

• Jacob Agustin-O’Callaghan, Biology, Ordnance Corps, USAR
• Khaliyah Cheek, Recreational therapy, Army Baylor OT Program
• Nicholas Ciaccio, Criminal justice, Adjutant General Corps, Branch Detail Armor
• Jacob Edwards, Criminal justice, Ordnance Corps, NCNG
• Kody Giles, Criminal justice, Military Police Corps, NCNG

The event included the commissioning ceremony traditions, including the oath, signing of the Army song by all attendees, pinning of cadets and the HHP Challenge Coin presentation by Bromfield to the five commissioned officers.

Remarks were given by Bromfield, who emphasized the shared vision of HHP and the Army and Air Force ROTC units to foster and promote safe, healthy communities and people and to celebrate such accomplishments like commissioning, and Nusom offering his insight to the officers.

Family and friends helped the new officers with pinning and in celebration.

“The commissioning ceremony is one of the many unique customs and traditions of the United State military,” Nusom said. “Military ceremonies serve as a bridge of continuity between the past and the present, and they allow us to properly recognize, celebrate and honor the milestone in a service member’s career. For context, the rank of second lieutenant is a gold bar, signifying the most junior officer and leader within our ranks. This is truly a rank of learning and growth.”