University News

Army Commissionings at WIU

August 29, 2006

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MACOMB, IL - - Three Western Illinois University Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets were commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during an Aug. 19 ceremony on WesternÂ’s campus.

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

In Spring 2005, 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 the three individuals, listed by hometown, who took the oath of office of a commissioned officer:

BURLINGTON, IA – Robin L. Buster, a WIU Summer 2006 Bachelor of Science degree graduate in recreation, parks and tourism administration, received an active duty commission in Military Intelligence. She will attend Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course in January 2007. Until then, 2LT Buster is assigned to Western Illinois as a Gold Bar Recruiter. She is the daughter of Michael and Kathy Buster, who pinned on her bars.

GENEVA, IL – Kevin Holt, a WIU Summer 2006 Bachelor of Business degree graduate in economics, received an active duty commission in Field Artillary. He will attend Basic Officer Leader Course Oct. 1, followed by Field Artillery Officer Basic Course Nov. 27. Holt is the son of Kevin and Mary Holt, who pinned on his bars.

PITTSFIELD, IL – David Jacobs, a WIU Summer 2006 Bachelor of Science construction management major, received a reserve duty commission in the Engineer Corps. He will attend his Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course Sept. 3 and his Officer Basic Course Oct. 27. 2Lt Jacobs is the son of Warren Jacobs and Debbie Rumple from Pittsfield. Assisting with the pinning on of his bars, where his father and his grandfather, John Grawe.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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