June 06, 2019

SIU Carbondale Air Force, Army ROTC cadets earn their commissions

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Cadets in Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 205 and Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Saluki Strike Battalion earned commissions as second lieutenants last month. 

The 18 cadets received their commissions in respective ceremonies May 10 and earned bachelor’s degrees in commencement ceremonies on May 11 at the SIU Arena. 

Throughout a normal four-year plan and depending upon their military service decision, cadets participate in either one aerospace studies class or Army military science course each semester, in addition to physical training and a leadership lab each week. A majority of the cadets within each of the programs receive federal or state funds to assist them with tuition and living expenses during the semester. 

The cadets who received their commissions, by hometown, degree earned with specialization where applicable, and military career, are: 

U.S. Air Force 

ILLINOIS 

  • Aurora: 2nd Lt. Stephen C. Scott, mechanical engineering-energy, space operations officer.
  • Belvidere: 2nd Lt. Joshua A. Watson, political science-international affairs, nuclear and missile operations officer.
  • Chester: 2nd Lt. Wyatt Z. Ruehling, criminology and criminal justice, nuclear and missile operations officer.
  • Mount Carmel: 2nd Lt. Triston S. Dillard, political science-international affairs, pilot.
  • Karnak: 2nd Lt. Tyler D. Castleman, criminology and criminal justice, intelligence officer.
  • Lebanon: 2nd Lt. Destin A. Garst, business administration-marketing, pilot.
  • Marseilles: 2nd Lt. Schuyler M. Parks, aviation technologies-helicopter maintenance, pilot (Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training).
  • Somonauk: 2nd Lt. Brett H. Bolek, mechanical engineering, pilot.
  • Steeleville: 2nd Lt. Brad A. Ebers, criminology and criminal justice, security forces.
  • West Dundee: 2nd Lt. Reid J. Ebner, aviation technologies-helicopter maintenance, financial management officer. 

U.S. Army 

ILLINOIS 

  • Belleville: Kendra L. Goss, agricultural systems and education, quartermaster corps, U.S. Army Reserve.
  • Brussels: Marisa J. Kuhn, biological sciences, adjutant general corps, U.S. Army Reserve.
  • Chicago: Sean H. Harris, political science, quartermaster corps, U.S. Army Reserve.
  • Murphysboro: Paul A. Lopez-Sangurima, criminology and criminal justice, infantry corps, U.S. Army Reserve.
  • Poplar Grove: Jake A. Rodgers, automotive technology, military police corps, U.S. Army Reserve.
  • Richton Park: Gennifer A. Simpson, exercise science, quartermaster corps, U.S. Army Reserve.
  • Charles: John D. Acosta, criminology and criminal justice, infantry corps, U.S. Army Reserve.
  • Steeleville: Justin A. Asbury, criminology and criminal justice, infantry corps, U.S. Army Reserve.