University News

Download image: LTC Michael C. Cumbie, chair of the WIU military science department, and Cadets Edwards, Hughes and Wiles at the Commissioning Ceremony
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Download image: 2nd Lieutenant Edwards
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Download image: 2nd Lieutenant Hughes
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Download image: 2nd Lieutenant Wiles
[Download Print-Quality Image]

WIU ROTC Cadets Commissioned Second Lieutenants

August 25, 2005

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL - - Three men in Western Illinois UniversityÂ’s Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) program were commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during an Aug. 20 ceremony on campus.

The ceremony included the pinning on of the second lieutenant gold bar by family and friends selected by the cadet.

This spring, Western IllinoisÂ’ ROTC Bulldog Battalion was named the best large program in the 10th Brigade and a top 15 percent school in all of Cadet CommandÂ’s 272 programs. The 10th Brigade, headquartered at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, includes 22 college and university programs in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Established in 1968, WesternÂ’s military science department has a longstanding tradition of excellence, having been named the recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Award for the best ROTC battalion in the Midwest in 1994, 2001 and 2002.

Below are area individuals, listed by hometown, who took the oath of office of a commissioned officer:

JESUP, IA – Matthew J. Wiles, a law enforcement and justice administration major, received an active duty commission in the Ordnance Corps. He will attend Ordnance Officer Basic Course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. 2LT Wiles is the son of Clifford and Kathryn Wiles. His parents and wife, 2LT Abby Wiles, pinned on his bars.

NEWARK, IL – Todd A. Edwards, a manufacturing engineering technology major, received a reserve duty commission in the Adjutant General Corps. He will attend Adjutant General Officer Basic Course in January 2006. 2LT Edwards is the son of Gerald Edwards of Vincennes, IN and Monika Edwards of Jacksonville, FL. Pinning on his bars were his father and his grandmother Mae Edwards of Vincennes, IN.

ROCK FALLS, IL – Donald J. Hughes, a law enforcement and justice administration major, received an active duty commission in the Military Intelligence/Chemical Corps. He will attend Chemical Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, MO beginning Sept. 25. 2LT Hughes is the son of Marla Jones of Chicago. Hughes fiancé, Amanda Zweifel of Rock Falls (IL), pinned on his bars.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing