Clemson University ROTC commissions 9 new 2nd lieutenants

Photo By Ken Scar | Newly-minted U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Stephen Smallwood (left) receives his first salute as an officer from Master Sgt. Jeramie Woodall on Clemson University's Military Heritage Plaza, Dec. 17, 2014. The two served together as noncommissioned officers in 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. "He's easily the most influential person that I've had in my career. The mentorship and guidance that he's provided has been world class, second to none," Smallwood said when asked why he chose Woodall to render the honor. Smallwood himself was a decorated sergeant first class before becoming an ROTC student at Clemson. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ken Scar)  

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

12.17.2014

Story by Sgt. Ken Scar    

108th Training Command- Initial Entry Training

CLEMSON, S.C. - Clemson University added to its rich military heritage Dec. 17 as four Army and five Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) students were commissioned as second lieutenants in a joint ceremony in the Tillman Hall auditorium.

Maj. Gen. H.D. Polumbo Jr., commander of the Ninth Air Force, Air Combat Command, was the guest speaker. Ninth Air Force comprises eight active-duty wings and three direct reporting units in the Southeastern United States with more than 400 aircraft and 29,000 active-duty and civilian personnel. Polumbo entered active duty in 1981 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is a command pilot with 4,000 flying hours in all blocks of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, including combat sorties in Operation Northern Watch. He also holds the distinction as the first Air Force general officer to fly the U-2S in combat and completed 21 operational U-2 missions in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. The General also flew combat missions in the MC-12W weapon system during Operation Enduring Freedom.

After they took their Oath of Office, the new lieutenants moved outside with their friends and families to participate in a Silver Dollar Salute ceremony at Military Heritage Plaza, which has become a cherished tradition for ROTC graduates at Clemson. The ceremony marks the first salute a new officer receives from an enlisted service member. As a sign of mutual respect, the officer presents the enlisted member with a silver dollar.

Clemson’s ROTC program was established as an integral part of Clemson's academic curriculum beginning in 1893 with the institution's first full-time academic year of operation. The program provides unique leadership training and management experience and helps students develop the qualities necessary to lead U.S. soldiers and airmen in a wide variety of assignments.

• Date Taken: 12.17.2014
• Date Posted: 12.17.2014 17:26
• Story ID: 150581
• Location: CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US