By Joe Garvey
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Military students receive commissions
Three 2nd lieutenants were commissioned during the AROTC ceremony, which was held in the multipurpose room at the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies on Dec. 16. Photo Chuck Thomas/ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿

Thirteen Navy, Army and Marine Corps ROTC students from four universities (Old Dominion, Hampton, Norfolk State and Regent) became officers during two commissioning ceremonies held at ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ on Dec. 16.

Ten ensigns and Marine 2nd lieutenants were commissioned during the NROTC ceremony at the University Theatre. , who became the 13th commanding officer of the Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman in August 2021, was the featured speaker. He holds a master of engineering management degree from ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿.

Three 2nd lieutenants were commissioned during the AROTC ceremony, which was held in the multipurpose room at the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies. The guest speaker was , deputy chief of staff for Strategic Plans and Policies at NATO Headquarters, Supreme Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk.

Four ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ students were commissioned as ensigns and one was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Marines:

Ensigns:

  • Shawn Collins, Orlando, Florida, B.S. in information systems and technology
  • Tynisha Smith, Petersburg, B.S. in psychology with a minor in speech-language pathology and audiology
  • Austin Thom, Austin, Texas, B.S. in leadership with a minor in military leadership
  • Khiaro Promise, Chicago, Illinois, B.S. in civil engineering with a minor in military leadership
Military student receive commissions
Ten ensigns and Marine 2nd lieutenants were commissioned during the NROTC ceremony at the University Theatre on Dec. 16. Photo Nicholas Clark/ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿

2nd lieutenant in the Marines:

  • Derek Schaap, Milford, Delaware, B.S. in leadership

Additionally, three ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ students were commissioned as 2nd lieutenants during the AROTC ceremony:

  • Zaria D. Barnes​,ÌýManassas,ÌýB.S. inÌýbiology
  • Joshua X. Crocker​,ÌýSuffolk,ÌýB.S. inÌýmanagement
  • Wesley H. O’Steen​,ÌýMidlothian,ÌýB.S. in​Ìýcomputer science

Other students who received commissions:

Norfolk State

Ensigns:

  • Aris Baker, Chesapeake, B.S. in pre-professional biology
  • Thomas Germano, Stafford, B.S. in computer science, track computer engineering
  • Tyler Yeldell, St. Mary’s County, Maryland, B.S. in optical engineering with a minor in mathematics

Regent University

Ensign:Ìý

  • Daphne Snover, Cherryville, Pennsylvania, B.S. in law and national security

Hampton University

2nd lieutenant in the Marines:

Diamond Marshall, Lynwood, California, B.S. in cybersecurity