Blogs

On May 15th, 2020 the University of Dayton “Fighting Flyer” ROTC program commissioned eight Second Lieutenants in the United States Army.  The ceremony was conducted via Zoom and it was the first time since 1945 that the program’s commissioning ceremony was not conducted in-person.  Over 150 people from around the world observed this first-ever “virtual” commissioning ceremony.

Lieutenant General (LTG) Thomas C. Seamands joined the ceremony from the Pentagon via Zoom and served as the guest speaker.  LTG Seamands is a UD alum (’81) and also an alumnus of the “Fighting Flyer” ROTC program.  LTG Seamands currently serves as the U.S. Army's 48th Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1.  He is responsible for developing, managing, and executing manpower and personnel plans, programs, and policies for the total Army. 

Full details on our newest Second Lieutenants are listed below:

2LT Madeline Kondritz has branched Active Duty Corps of Engineers.  2LT Kondritz will report to Fort Leonard Wood, MO to attend the Corps of Engineers Basic Officer Leader Course. Her favorite spot on campus is St. Joes and she will never forget Ted Rohrer’s super Hooah infantry briefing in MIL 401. 

2LT Noah Mosqueda has branched Corps of Engineers, Missouri Army National Guard.  2LT Mosqueda will report to Fort Leonard Wood, MO to attend the Corps of Engineers Basic Officer Leader Course. His favorite spot on campus is art street and favorite memory of ROTC is junior year ranger challenge. 

2LT Ramzi Mukhar has branched Aviation in the Reserve Component of the U.S. Army.  2LT Mukhar will report to Fort Rucker, AL where he will attend Aviation Basic Officer Leader Course. Ramzi’s favorite place on campus is serenity pines and favorite ROTC memory was our 2020 Superlab. 

2LT Sarah Olszewski has branched Aviation in the Active Component of the U.S. Army.  2LT Olszewski will report to Fort Rucker, AL where she will attend Aviation Basic Officer Leader Course. Her favorite spot on campus is the front porch of 435 Kiefaber. Her fondest memories of her time in Army ROTC include camping out in Gatlinburg TN for the Mountain Man Memorial March, traveling to Peru for CULP and getting to see Doxie compete in the Derby Day Wiener Dog Race.

2LT Sam Penewit has branched Armor, branch detailed from Military Intelligence, in the Active Component of the U.S. Army.  2LT Penewit will attend Armor Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Benning, GA.  Sam’s favorite spot on campus is the Blend and his favorite ROTC memory is camping out before the Mountain Man March in Gatlinburg. 

2LT Piran Talkington has branched Armor, branched detailed from Adjutant General Corps, in the Active Component of the U.S. Army.   2LT Talkington will attend Armor Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Benning, GA.  His favorite spot on campus happens to be any porch in the neighborhoods and favorite memory of ROTC is his CULP trip to Madagascar.

2LT Ragan Tuffey has branched Infantry in the Active Component of the U.S. Army.  2LT Tuffey will attend Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Benning, GA. Ragan’s favorite spot on campus is the Deli and favorite memory of ROTC is everything ranger challenge.

2LT Austin Whisman has branched Armor in the Active Component of the U.S. Army.  2LT Whisman will attend Armor Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Benning, GA.  His favorite memories of ROTC are the GAFPB competition and Mountain-Man Memorial March. 

Congratulations to our new Second Lieutenants!  You now have the honor and responsibility to lead our nation’s sons and daughters.  For God and country!

The full ceremony can be viewed here