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2LT Jessie Alan Turner with his father, Cliff Turner, and his mother, Debbie Woolery, after they pinned on his gold bars.
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2LT James Deon Holeman with his brother, Pierre, his mother, Herleander Holemann and Richard Welch, after they pinned on his gold bars.
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2LT Joseph Christopher Laz with his parents Thomas and Linda Laz, who pinned on his gold bars.
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2LT Alex Socorro Rodriguez with his parents Socorro and Robyn Rodriguez, who pinned on his gold bars.
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New 2LT James Holeman (Monmouth College) gets assistance from the ceremony's speaker (right), Brig. Gen. Roy S. Webb, Iowa National Guard, and Army Capt. (Retired) William L. Trubeck, a Monmouth College Trustee.
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WIU/Monmouth College Commission U.S. Army Officers

January 12, 2011

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MACOMB/MONMOUTH, IL – Three Western Illinois University Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets and one Monmouth College cadet were commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during a Dec. 17 ceremony at Monmouth College.

This marked the inaugural combined commissioning ceremony held at Monmouth College.

"Western Illinois University's Army ROTC program has enjoyed a small partnership program with Monmouth College since 2007," said Lt. Col. Thomas Seifert, chair of WIU's military science department. "Monmouth College has offered to host the ceremony as their cadets are being commissioned. Monmouth had its own ROTC program until the early 1990s, when the drawback of the military resulted in its inactivation after Operation Desert Storm," Seifert added. "Hopefully, the partnership between WIU and Monmouth College will continue to grow as we produce the Army's future officer leadership."

Western's award-winning ROTC program was established in 1968. The University'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. The Leatherneck Battalion has also been honored as the Best ROTC Battalion in the Brigade in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

More information on Western's military science department and the Army ROTC program is online at wiu.edu/ROTC.

Individuals who took the Oath of Office of a commissioned officer are listed below:

BELLEVILLE – Jesse Alan Turner, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement and justice administration with minors in military science and accountancy at WIU, received an active duty commission in the Military Intelligence Corps. He will attend Military Intelligence Officer Basic Court at Fort Huachuca (AZ), and then proceed to his first duty assignment at Fort Sam Houston (TX). Pinning on his gold bars were his father, Cliff Turner, and his mother, Debbie Woolery.

JACKSONVILLE – James Deon Holeman, a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education graduate of Monmouth College, received an active duty commission in the Military Police Corps. 2LT Holeman will attend Military Police Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood (MO), then proceed to his first duty assignment at Fort Hood (TX). Pinning on his gold bars were his mother, Herleander Holeman, his brother, Pierre, and Richard Welch.

NAPERVILLE – Joseph Christopher Laz, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication with minors in military science and law enforcement and justice administration at WIU, received a reserve duty commission in the Engineer Corps. He will attend Engineer Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood (MO), then proceed to his first duty assignment with the U.S. Army Reserves at Fort Sheridan (IL). His parents, Thomas and Linda Laz, pinned on his gold bars.

IOWA
MONTPELIER – Alex Socorro Rodriguez, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement and justice administration with a minor in military science at WIU, received an active duty commission in the Quartermaster Corps. He will attend the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course at Fort Lee (VA), and then proceed to his first duty assignment at Fort Bliss (TX). Pinning on his gold bars were his father, Socorro Rodriguez, and his mother, Robyn Rodriguez.

Western Illinois University's August 2010 commissioning class included the following individuals who received the second lieutenant's gold bars. They are listed by their Illinois hometown.

DELAVAN – Zachary Craig Allen, a Summer 2010 graduate with a B.S. in construction management and a minor in military science, received a reserve commission in the Engineering Corps. His first duty assignment is with the Illinois Army National Guard in Decatur (IL).

GENOA – Joshua Joseph Flury, a Summer 2010 graduate with a B.S. in law enforcement and justice administration and minors in marketing and military science, received a reserve commission in the Engineering Corps. His first duty assignment is with the U.S. Army Reserves in Darien (IL).

MAYWOOD – Joseph Mark Guikema, a Summer 2010 graduate with a B.A. in law enforcement and justice administration and minors in military science and Spanish, received a reserve commission in the Infantry. His first duty assignment is with the Illinois Army National Guard (Elgin, IL).

MONTGOMERY – Blake Matthew Halbert, a Summer 2010 graduate with a B.A. degree in history and a minor in military science, received a reserve commission in the Aviation Corps. His first duty assignment is with the U.S. Army Reserve, Fort Eustis (VA).

PALATINE – Margaret Ann Vojta, a Summer 2010 graduate with a B.S. degree in exercise science and a minor in military science, received a reserve commission in the Medical Service Corps. Her first duty assignment is with the Illinois Army National Guard (Riverside, IL).


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