University News
WIU ROTC Cadets Commissioned Second Lieutenants
August 19, 2004
MACOMB, IL - - Five Western Illinois University Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) cadets were commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during an Aug. 14 ceremony in Macombs Chandler Park.
The ceremony includes the pinning on of the second lieutenant gold bar by family and friends selected by the cadet.
WIU's military science department, established in 1968, is regarded among the top programs nationwide. In December 2000 Western earned its second consecutive General Douglas MacArthur Award and received a top 20 ranking among all 270 U.S. Army Cadet Command programs nationwide.
The MacArthur Award, given jointly by the MacArthur Foundation and the commander of the United States Army Cadet Command, is presented annually to the top programs in each of Cadet Command's three regions. Western earned the award as the best large division program in the Second Region, headquartered at Ft. Knox, KY, which consists of 88 schools in 14-states. Western also earned the MacArthur Award in 1994.
The following individuals, listed by hometown, took the oath of office of a commissioned officer:
CANTON - Dash A. Wilson, a senior history major, received a reserve duty commission in Field Artillery. He will attend his Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at a later date. 2LT Wilson is the son of Clark and Linda Wilson.
DECATUR - Joseph A. Buck, a senior law enforcement and justice administration major, received an active duty commission in the Engineer Branch. He will attend Engineer Officer Basic Course at a later date. 2LT Buck is the son of Allan and Dawn Buck, and fiancée of 2LT Stephanie Hinkle.
DECATUR - Dustin A. McWhirter, a senior exercise science major, received an active duty commission in Infantry/Military Intelligence. He will be assigned to WIU as the Gold Bar Recruiter until October, when he will attend Infantry Officer Basic Course. 2LT McWhirter is the son of John and Sandra McWhirter.
OREGON - - Gabriel J. Gecan, a senior law enforcement and justice administration major, received an active duty commission in Field Artillery/Signal Corps. He will attend Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at a later date. 2LT Gecan is the son of Beth and Mark Wolber of Oregon and Michael Gecan of Peru.
KAHOKA, MO - Jason H. Brotherton, a senior Board of Trustees major, received an active duty commission in the Ordnance Corps. He will attend his Ordnance Officer Basic Course at a later date. 2LT Brotherton is the son of Paul and Ruth Brotherton.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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