ROTC Graduates Reach Record Numbers

by CHUCK WASSERSTROM

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Military Science, housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, may be small in size, but it’s big in results.

Twelve UTC Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program graduates were commissioned in the U.S. Army as second lieutenants following the 2020-2021 academic year. The May commissioning ceremony involved the largest ROTC graduating class since the program was reactivated at the University in 2007.

“We are continuing to grow and produce quality officers for the United States Army,” says Capt. A.J. Herink, head of the department. “We have between 60 to 70 cadets in the program every year, but they don’t have to make a decision if they want to contract with us until junior year—and getting up at 6 a.m. to go running every morning isn’t for everyone.

“To see our largest cohort at one commissioning is great. It shows the continued support we receive from the University and the campus partners in the community. Students have been actively seeking us out.”

The Army is specific that degrees must be conferred before ROTC cadets can be commissioned. This year, the UTC conferral date was May 8. The commissioning ceremony, which includes oaths and first salutes, took place May 15 at The Westin Chattanooga.

“Once they get the gold bars placed upon them, there are no take-backs,” Herink says. “The Army regulation is very clear: We have to wait until final grades are in.”

Seven of the newly commissioned officers received bachelor’s degrees from programs offered within the College of Arts and Sciences: Taylor Ayers (political science), Active Duty Air Defense Artillery; Evan Cowger (psychology), Active Duty Field Artillery; Audrey Creighton (environmental science). Active Duty Ordnance Corps; Connor Dufrane (political science), Army National Guard Aviation; Anthony Gorkowski (criminal justice), Active Duty Quartermaster; Joselyn Quintanilla (criminal justice), U.S. Army Reserve Adjutant General; and Cole Whitaker (history); Active Duty Armor.

Others commissioned as second lieutenants: Emerson Brock (construction management), Army National Guard Engineering; Nicholas Chauncey (sport, outdoor recreation and tourism management), Active Duty Ordnance Corps; John Crain (human resource management), Army National Guard Signal Corps; Sydney Gilliam (exercise science), Army National Guard Medical Services Corps; and Megan Hawksford (exercise science), Active Duty Signal Corps.

One of the ceremony highlights occurred when Sydney Gilliam received her first salute from her grandfather, Senior Chief (Ret.) William Gilliam.

Herink came to Chattanooga before the 2020-2021 academic year, taking the ROTC and Military Science reins from Army Maj. Kevin Beavers. He says he immediately noticed the relationship UTC has with its ROTC program, calling it very significant.

“The big thing is the University is very receptive and helpful to the work we do in Military Science, especially with our department being one of the smallest on campus,” Herink says. “We have a small team, and the University makes sure to help us in any way possible, from one-on-ones with my staff and the academic advisors to understanding what the military science class track needs to be in order to commission.”

Gold bars are pinned on 2nd Lt. Megan Hawkford's shoulders by her mother and sister.

The May commissioning ceremony involved the largest ROTC gradutaing class since the program was reactivated at UTC in 2007.