UMaine Army ROTC to Commission Two Dec. 23

Contact: Major James C. Moreno, enrollment officer, University of Maine Army ROTC, Room 112, Armory, 581-1125

ORONO — The Black Bear Battalion will hold its cadet commissioning ceremony Saturday, Dec. 23 for two army ROTC cadets at UMaine.

Candyce Jacobson of Winterport and Nicolas Phillips of Stuttgart, Germany, will be commissioned into the United States Army as second lieutenants at 2 p.m. in Arthur Hill Auditorium in Barrows Hall.

Jacobson is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in marine sciences, with a minor in military science, and will be a medical service corps officer. She will receive her federal oath of office from Lt. Col. Kevin Harris, professor of military science.

Phillips is graduating with bachelor of science degree in environmental management, with a minor in military science, and will be an engineer corps officer. He will receive his federal oath of office from his father, retired Chief Warrant Officer Four Chris Phillips.

Both cadets will receive their Maine state oaths of office from Lt. Col. Diane Dunne, a former member of the UMaine Army ROTC staff.

Following the ceremony, the new second lieutenants will take part in the time-honored tradition of presenting a silver dollar to the first non-commissioned officer that renders them a salute. Retired First Sgt. Bruce Judkins, a former member of the UMaine Army ROTC staff, will be the non-commissioned officers receiving the silver dollars. Both future officers Jacobson and Phillips will attend officer basic courses in the coming months and will return to Maine to serve with the Maine Army National Guard.