December Commissioning Ceremony Planned for Two UC ROTC Army Cadets

Two University of Cincinnati ROTC Army Cadets will be sworn into office as second lieutenants of the U.S. Army at a special commissioning ceremony at

11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 14, in Room 1100-D of the Calhoun Garage Office Complex.

The ceremony is held for ROTC cadets who address the high standards to be appointed a second lieutenant, such as meeting the requirements of their degree program, their officer leadership training, medical qualifications and physical fitness.

At the commissioning, the new officers receive their first salute in recognition of the authority of their office as bestowed by the president of the United States. The salute is also a reminder that these new lieutenants owe the future soldiers under their watch steady leadership, care and compassion.

Upon completion of the salute, each new lieutenant will give the saluting non-commissioned officer a silver dollar as an acknowledgement of the role of non-commissioned officers in the duties of the second lieutenant.

The ROTC Army cadets to take part in the commissioning ceremony are:

Jordan Branco

– Branco is from Fremont, Ohio, and is a graduate of Bishop Fenwick High School. He will be graduating from UC on Dec. 15 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH). Branco will receive his first duty assignment upon completion of the Field Artillery Basic Officer Course at the Ft. Sill U.S. Army Post in Lawton, Okla.

Richard Kruer

– Kruer is from Ft. Thomas, Ky., and is a graduate of Newport Central Catholic High School, where he also played football. Kruer is graduating from UC with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice (CECH) and will be commissioning as a second lieutenant into the Engineer Corps. He will be assigned to the U.S. Army Reserves in Ft. Thomas, Ky.