Air Force and Army ROTC programs commission new officers

Five cadets from East Carolina University’s Air Force ROTC program and 15 cadets from its Army ROTC program were commissioned as officers in ceremonies on May 8.

Officer Candidate Austin Alexander is sworn in at the AFRTOC Detachment 600 commissioning ceremony. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)

In his remarks, Air Force ROTC Detachment Commander Lt. Col. Brian Lebeck quoted sixth-century Greek philosopher Heraclitus: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”

That sentiment was echoed by several of the cadets newly commissioned as second lieutenants in the U. S. Air Force. “I was a completely different person when I started this program. It’s given me a sense of purpose and direction,” said Austin Alexander, who will serve as a remotely piloted aircraft pilot at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Cadets also spoke of their commitments to service, hard work and family.

“My family taught me the value of service before self and I can’t imagine a better way to honor that than to serve in the U.S. Air Force,” said Koby Butts. “My father and grandfather served in the Air Force. My other grandfather served in the Navy. I want to continue their legacy.” Butts was commissioned as an intelligence officer and will serve at Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas.

Sonia Venegas, who will serve as an operations research analyst, also spoke about what her parents taught her. “As a first-generation college student with parents who overcame very difficult circumstances, I understand the true meaning of hard work, perseverance and, most of all, discipline. I never quit.”

At the Army ROTC commissioning ceremony, guest speaker Col. Jonathan Beck quoted the “Army Cadet Song”

Sonia Venegas receives her officer’s pins from her parents.

“I understand mission first and people always. I am the past, the spirit of those warriors who have made the final sacrifice. I am the present, the scholar and apprentice soldier enhancing my skills in the science of warfare and the art of leadership. But above all I am the future, the future warrior leader of the United States Army.”

He told the cadets, “You are the future. And I’m excited to see what you do. If you take care of the people — your soldiers, their families, your family — there’s no mission you can’t accomplish.”

Speakers at both events offered advice to the new officers.

“I encourage you to listen and learn from others,” Beck said at the Army commissioning. “Know yourself. Be humble and lead with humility. You’ll make mistakes and it’s OK. Treat others with dignity and respect. Lead with character. And remember to be balanced — take time for your family.”

At the Air Force commissioning, Lebeck encouraged the officers to “be perceptive. Be innovative. Be excellent. Always understand that you are changing, that the world around you is changing. Continue to adapt to it and you’ll be a successful leader.”

The newly commissioned U.S. Air Force officers are:

The newly commissioned U.S. Army officers are: