By Tom Ganser
Correspondent
For seven University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students, the excitement of graduating on May 15 was jumpstarted at 0730 hours as they crossed the bridge from being cadets in the UWW Army Reserve Officer Training Corps to second lieutenants during the Warhawk Battalion’s Spring 2015 Commissioning Ceremony.
The seven cadets included four women and three men.
Bryce Edwards grew up in Weiser, ID and moved to Sharon, Wisconsin, graduating in 2010 from online Whitmore Academy High School. Edwards enrolled at UWW in the fall of 2010 and contracted with ROTC in 2011. Edwards graduates with a BBA degree in Information Technology with an emphasis in Networking and Security and a minor in Leadership and Military Science. He has been selected as a Cavalry Officer in Bravo Troop of the 1-105th Cavalry in the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
Mark Gerasimov was born in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in 1993, immigrated to the United States in 2005 and moved to Wisconsin in 2008 where he graduated from Arrowhead High School in 2012. Gerasimov enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard in 2010 and became a member of the 108th Forward Support Company in 2012. Gerasimov accepted a 4.5-year ROTC scholarship and graduates with honors and a BS degree in Psychology with minors in Leadership and Economics and has been offered a Wisconsin National Guard commission as a Platoon Leader in the Signal branch, joining the 357th Signal Support Company.
Raechel Liska graduated from New Berlin West High School in 2011 and qualified for a 4-year Army ROTC scholarship. Liska received the UWW Department of Sociology’s Most Outstanding Junior Award and the UWW Reuben Klumb Most Outstanding Senior Award. Liska was selected to be the student speaker at the undergraduate commencement ceremony. Liska served in the Warhark Battalion as Command Sergeant Major, Battalion Commander and the Executive Officer. Liska graduates with a BA in Sociology with an emphasis in Global Comparative Studies and a minor in Military Science and Leadership. Liska has been offered a commission in the Chemical Corp in the Wisconsin National Guard.
Mariah Rabego graduated from Mukwonago High School in 2010 and transferred from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to UWW in 2012. In 2013 she joined the UWW Army ROTC and enlisted as a cadet in Alpha Company, 257 BSB. She graduates with a BA in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice and a Leadership minor. Rabego has been offered a commission onto active duty as an Ordnance Office with the opportunity to attend Explosive Ordnance Disposal School.
Michelle Staude, a 2011 graduate of Fort Atkinson High School, transferred from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to UWW in 2012 and enrolled in the UWW Army ROTC program in 2013. As a member of the Warhawk Battalion Staude served as Battalion Commander, Operations Officer and Information Technology Officer. She graduates with a BS in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice and a minor in Leadership and Military Science. Staude has been offered a commission in Active Army Duty as an Air Defense Artillery Officer and has reported for Basic Officer Leaders Course at Fort Sill, OK.
Darvel Winfrey is a 2010 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee. Winfrey enrolled at UWW in 2010, enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 2013 and enrolled in the UWW Army ROTC program upon returning to campus in 2014. He graduates with a BS in Communication with an Emphasis in Corporate Health and a Leadership minor. Winfrey has been offered a commission in the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a Medical Service Officer assigned to HHS of the 1-128th Infantry BTN in Eau Claire.
Brittany Zettelmeier is a 2011 graduate of Mukwonago High School. She enrolled at UWW in 2011 and enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in the winter of 2011, earning the Private First Class promotion at Basic Combat Training. Zettelmeier enrolled in the UWW Army ROTC program in 2013. Zettlemeier graduates with a BA in Sociology, including an emphasis in Criminal Justice and a minor in Leadership. She has been offered a commission in the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a Medical Services Officer assigned to the 135th Medical Company in Waukesha.
The big day
Cadet Shane Cullen, serving as Master of Ceremonies, introduced Lieutenant Max Brosig, Professor of Military Science and Chair of the Department of Leadership, Military Science and Aerospace Studies who welcomed the audience gathered for the commissioning. “The ceremony is the culmination of a long road for seven cadets who are about to become commissioned officers in the United States Army,” Brosig said.
Brosig shared excerpts from the oral practicums of the seven cadets to be commissioned, describing their responses to the questions asked as “profound representations of their character.”
Asked “What does it mean to you to be an army professional?” responses included “It’s about honor. Honor allows the army to survive.” “Never be a bystander. Take an active role and live up to the standards I set for myself.” “Dedicated to service. Others may not appreciate or know what you do, but you do it anyway.”
“What does the word ‘ethical’ mean to you?” “If my grandparents saw me do something, would they approve?”
Two responses to “Tell us why you deserve to be commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army” were “I understand I can’t lead all soldiers in the same way. I need to find what motivates them and adjust my style” and “I am not necessarily ready, but I am ready to learn more.”
Following an Invocation by Cadet Joseph Swick, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Pat O’Connor offered remarks.
After graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1975, O’Connor spent 20 years as an Infantry Officer in the Army, including a tour of duty with Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. He currently serves as the Director of the Bureau of Response and Recovery for Wisconsin Emergency Management.
“The millions who have gone before you have given the United States Army one of the finest reputations in the world,” O’Connor told the seven cadets. “That is now your responsibility to maintain.”
O’Connor stressed that basic courses and specialty schools “will continue your education and preparation to lead troops. You will also be exposed to your contemporaries coming from ROTC at other schools, from Officer Candidates School…even if they attended Mount Union.” The University of Mount Union Purple Raiders football team has been the archrival of the UW-W Warhawks for years.
O’Connor advised, “Those that will test you, tax you, perplex you, and bring you more pride than you can contain are your soldiers. They require your utmost care and respect.”
I want you to take advantage of every opportunity given to you by the military. Enjoy every experience you have and marvel that you have more opportunities to excel before 9 a.m. than most folks have all week. Marvel every morning when you lace up your boots that you have the best career in the world.”
O’Connor closed his remarks by observing, “The mothers and fathers of America are going to entrust to you the care of their sons and daughters just as your parents have entrusted your care to the Warhawk Battalion cadre. Accept this responsibility fully and honor it daily by your actions.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your service. Good luck and God speed.”
Moments to remember
After a video of the seven cadets highlighting their experiences as ROTC cadets, the Administration of the Oath of Office for United States Army Second Lieutenant took place, officiated by Lieutenant Colonel John Gorse for Marian Rabego, his daughter; Colonel (Retired) John Puttre for Michelle Staude; First Lieutenant Peter Vakos for Bryce Edwards; and Lieutenant Colonel Carl Meredith for Mark Gerasimov, Raechel Liska, Darvel Winfrey and Brittany Zettelmeier.
Brigadier General Mark Anderson, Commander of Wisconsin Army National Guard, also administered the Wisconsin State Oath of Office to LTCs Edwards, Gerasimov, Liska, Winfrey and Zettelmeier.
Following Meredith’s presentation of the Commissioning Certificate to the seven new second lieutenants, including the recognition of Gerasimov and Liska as “Distinguished Military Graduate,” the gold bar representing the rank and responsibilities of second lieutenant was pinned on their epaulettes by parents, siblings, spouse or close friends.
The commissioning ceremony continued with the traditional “silver dollar salute” to the second lieutenants by mentors, a friend, a father, a grandmother and two husbands.
Meredith served as chair of the Department of Leadership, Military Science and Aerospace Studies at UWW for three years and is now the Administrative/Executive Officer for the 64th Troop Command of the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
Meredith said, “One of the privileges that we have as cadre members is to really get to know the cadets on a personal level. We spend a lot of time with them in the classroom, in the field, on the phone, listening to life issues, mentoring, advising, teaching and in that process really get to learn about them as individuals. And to me that’s really what it means to be a leader, to be able to develop that personal relationship and that personal bond. “
Addressing the newly commissioned officer, Meredith continued, “So I have a few things that I want to share with you all, because I want you to leave here today knowing that your charge as leaders is to inspire. And all of you have inspired me in unique ways.”
“You inspired me how important it is to make sure that we believe in ourselves,” Meredith said regarding Rabego.
In describing Staude, Meredith stated, “You were our go-to cadet. If we needed something done, I knew that if I came to you and I gave you purpose, motivation and direction, you would get it done.”
Meredith recalled Gerasimov’s sense of humor: “You always had something enjoyable or funny to say, and oftentimes at the most difficult moments.”
Regarding Liska, Meredith shared with the audience, “I called her ‘Ranger Raechel.’ The one thing you inspired me with, above all, is the sky is the limit. You are going to do so many great things.”
“You have a contagious attitude, a contagious spirit,” Meredith said of Winfrey. “You brighten up the room wherever you go, no matter how dismal a situation might be or how difficult a situation might be, you always seem to be able to bring out the bright spot.”
In considering Zettelmeier, Meredith said, “Your determination, your perseverance to do whatever needs to be done is what inspires me.”
“You demonstrate for me and for your peers how important it is to be willing to come out of your comfort zone,” Meredith said about Edwards.
“From the faculty and administration, to the family and friends, to the military officers and NCOs, you did not get where you are alone,” Meredith told the new officers.
“Every great leader realizes that the success of one is built upon the success of many, so you need to look at all these folks here and you need to give them a round of applause. Because you are here in large part because of their support and sacrifices…Go forth and do great things.”
Chancellor Richard Telfer presented each of the officers with a UWW Veterans Service Coin, followed by Brosig giving them a ROTC Commander’s coin.
The commissioning ceremony included a presentation of a plaque to Telfer as a token for his support of the ROTC program and the Department of Leadership, Military Science and Aerospace Studies, a Warhawk Battalion trophy to O’Connor as the commissioning speaker and a battalion coin to Anderson.
As a special recognition, Barb Klietz, program associate introduced as “the backbone of this battalion,” was presented a framed Warhawk Battalion guidon, signed by the current cadets. Klietz has served as the program assistant for the UWW ROTC program for 36 years.
With the singing of the Army song and a benediction by Cadet Swick, the Spring 2015 UWW ROTC Commissioning ceremony ended.
