Dept. of Military Science Commissions Nine Army Officers
Lt. Col. Michael Fellure (left) administers the commissioning oath to (from left) Cadets Briona Barbee, Brian Busick, David George, Benjamin Holder, Michael Kirby, Andrew Matheny, Justin Megoloff, Tiffany Smith and Tyler Tomerlin.
JONESBORO – The Department of Military Science and Leadership at Arkansas State University commissioned nine ROTC cadets for military service Friday, May 12, during a ceremony attended by family, friends and university staff.
The new officers also received their university diplomas during Arkansas State’s Spring Commencement the following day.
Col. Robert G. Dixon, district engineer and commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District, was the guest speaker for the officer commissioning ceremony.
Lt. Col. Michael Fellure, professor of military science, administered the oath to the new officers:
- Briona L. Barbee of North Little Rock was commissioned second lieutenant into the Army Reserve, medical service corps. Barbee, who completed a master's of business administration degree, was pinned with the gold bars of a second lieutenant by her parents, Jerome and Claudette Barbee and her sister Lakesha Gardner.
- Brian A. Busick of Pocahontas was commissioned into the Arkansas National Guard, 875th Engineer Battalion. Busick, who completed a bachelor's degree in agricultural business, was pinned by his parents, Larry and Cyndi Busick and his girlfriend, Lexie Spain.
- David J. George of Cherokee Village was commissioned for active Army, infantry. George, who completed his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, was pinned by his wife, Lindsey, and his parents, Jeff and Sandra George.
- Benjamin S. Holder of Marmaduke was commissioned for active Army, Signal Corps. Holder, who completed his bachelor's degree in computer and information technology, was pinned by his friends, Aaron Headley and Dylan Vangilder.
- Michael D. Kirby of Hinesville, Ga., was commissioned into the Arkansas National Guard, 875th Engineer Battalion. Kirby, who completed his bachelor's degree business administration, was pinned by his wife, Taylor, and his sister Molly-Anne Kirby, stepfather Dustin Clark, and grandmother Margaret Viles.
- Andrew M. Matheny of Bryant was commissioned into the Arkansas National Guard, 77th aviation brigade. Matheny, who completed his bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies, was pinned by his parents, Greg and Blanche Matheny and his fiancé, Riley Hancock.
- Justin T. Megoloff of Little Rock was commissioned for active Army, Signal Corps. Megoloff, who completed a bachelor's degree in technology management, was pinned by his father, James Richard Megoloff III and his grandfather, James Richard Megoloff II.
- Tiffany R. Smith of Fairfield Bay was commissioned in the Arkansas Army National Guard, 39th Infantry Brigade. Smith, who completed her bachelor's degree in accounting, was pinned by her father, Rodney Smith, and aunt, Pam Satterfield.
- Tyler H. Tomerlin of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was commissioned into the Arkansas Army National Guard, 875th Engineer Battalion. Tomerlin, who completed a bachelor's degree in criminology, was pinned by his parents, Kent and Candace Tomerlin.
Bar pinning is a tradition in which a newly promoted soldier receives their new rank from those who played a significant role in his/her mentorship, development and support.
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