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Florida Tech ROTC Commissions four new Army Lieutenants at Fall Graduation

In Fall graduation ceremonies at Florida Institute of Technology and Eastern Florida State College, nearly 2,000 area students received Bachelor’s Degrees.  Unique among this group were four who also completed the requirements to be commissioned as U.S. Army Second Lieutenants through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).  On Friday, December 13^th the Florida Tech Army ROTC Panther Battalion held the fall commissioning ceremony in the Hartley Room of the Student Union building on the campus with families, friends, ROTC instructors, and other cadets on-hand to witness the event.  At the ceremony, the new Lieutenants took the commissioning oath of office and pinned on new “gold bars”—the rank insignia of Second Lieutenants in the ceremony.  Three of the new Lieutenants met the requirements to graduate from Florida Tech, and one graduated from Eastern Florida State College. 

The new graduates and Army Second Lieutenants are:

• Haley K. Aukland—Haley graduated from High School in Morris, Ill, and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management from Eastern Florida State College.  She was commissioned in the Aviation Branch and hopes to be an Apache helicopter pilot.
• Silas J. Cullum—Silas graduated from High School at Christ Church Academy in Jacksonville, FL.  He received his Batchelor’s degree from Florida Tech in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned in the Army National Guard as an Infantry Officer.
• Olivia A. Troisi—Olivia graduated from Heritage High School in Palm Bay.  She received her Batchelor’s degree from Florida Tech in Biomedical Science.  She served as the Cadet Battalion Commander and was commissioned as an active duty, Medical Service Corps officer.
• Marco A. Zavala—Marco graduated from High School in Chicago, and received his Bachelor of Science degree Biomedical Science from Florida Tech.  He also graduated from the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.  He was commissioned as an active-duty Medical Service Corps Officer and hopes to continue his education to become a Medical Doctor. 

In the ceremony the new Lieutenants heard messages and congratulations from the President of Florida Tech, John Nicklow (Ph.D.) and guest speaker, Captain William (Bill) Toti, (USN, Retired).  Bill served on active duty as Commander of Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Command Norfolk, and Commodore of Submarine Squadron 3.  He is an author, podcaster, and frequent guest commentator for various news outlets.  The new Lieutenants also received congratulations from LTC Rob Stillings, Florida Tech Professor of Military Science.  The Cape Canaveral Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAACC) was on hand to present the new Lieutenants with “Gold Bar” commissioning sets, membership in the association and the Cape Canaveral Chapter.  Colonel Steve Bond, US Army-Retired, Past MOAACC President, and President of the MOAA Florida Council presented the Gold Bar sets and wished the new officers the best of luck as officer in the United States Army.

Photo Caption:  New Army Lieutenants at the Florida Tech ROTC Commissioning Ceremony on December 13^th with guests, from Left to Right—COL Steve Bond (USA-Retired)-MOAACC, Dr. John Nicklow-President Florida Tech, New Second Lieutenants--Zavala, Troisi, Cullum, and Aukland, CAPT Bill Toti (USN-Retired)-Guest Speaker, and LTC Rob Stillings-Florida Tech Professor of Military Science.

Photo Caption:  L-R, COL Steve Bond (USA-Retired), CAPT Bill Toti, and LTC Rob Stillings meet before the ceremony.

Photo Caption: Marquee at the Florida Tech Student Union Building flashes congratulations to the New Army Lieutenants.

About MOAACC

The Military Officers Association of America Cape Canaveral Chapter (MOAACC) is an affiliate of the national Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).  MOAA and affiliates are nonprofit veterans’ organization dedicated to maintaining a strong national defense and ensuring our nation keeps its commitments to currently serving, retired and former members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors.  Membership is open to those who hold or have ever held a warrant or commission in any of the Uniformed Services or their surviving spouse.  MOAA and its affiliates are nonpartisan organizations.

Located in Brevard County, Florida, the Cape Canaveral chapter is the largest chapter in MOAA with 1000 members.  MOAACC supports MOAA’s aims at the national and local level, engages in philanthropy by providing direct support—monetarily and with volunteer hours—to local military, veterans, and their families, and is a social organization sponsoring activities for members.  For more information, visit our website at www.MOAACC.org.