Cal State Fullerton's ROTC battalion's cadets received their second lieutenant rank at a commissioning ceremony May 21. Photo by Greg Andersen

Ready to Lead

Army ROTC Program Commissions 24 Second Lieutenants

June 1, 2010

By Mimi Ko Cruz

Twenty-four cadets in Cal State Fullerton's ROTC Program have been commissioned as second lieutenants and now are continuing officer training at military bases throughout the U.S. as they await deployment.

The officers, who also completed their bachelor's degrees from Cal State Fullerton or other universities, received their commission May 21 at a campus ceremony. As part of the commissioning, each cadet recited the oath of office and loved ones pinned the second lieutenant rank on their uniforms.

“The recital of the oath of office marks the beginning of a new officer’s career and, potentially, the beginning of a lifetime of service to our nation,” Capt. Jocelyn Simmons said. “Each commissionee has been nominated by the president of the United States before the United States Congress. By saying their oath, the cadets promise to accomplish their military duties to the utmost of their abilities in the service and defense of the Constitution of the United States, which for over 220 years has protected our American way of life.”

The new officers are:

• Daniel J. Benjamin of Lake Forest, Cal State Fullerton political science major. He is headed to the Army National Guard as an infantry officer.


Matthew Bern is pinned by his wife Heather Marie Bern (behind him) and children Gavin, right, and Gwyneth. Photo by Greg Andersen

• Matthew Bern of Costa Mesa, CSUF, business administration. He is a veteran stationed with the 306th Psychological Operations Company in Los Alamitos and is entering the Army Reserves as a quartermaster officer. His family includes a number of members of the military, including some who served in World War II and Vietnam.
• Kenneth J. Bogenberger of Sun Valley, Vanguard University, history and political science. Bogenberger is headed into the Army National Guard as a medical service officer with Charlie Company, 40th Brigade Support Battalion in Montebello.


Sean K. Bors is pinned by his parents Edward Hearn, right, and Stacy Hearn, right and his brother Carter Hearn. Photo by Greg Andersen

• Sean K. Bors of Murrieta, CSUF, biological science. Bors is entering active duty as a quartermaster officer with the 1st Combat Support Brigade.
• Miles Bruner of La Mirada, Whittier College, business administration. Bruner is going into the Army Reserves as an adjutant general officer. In the future, he hopes to work for the State Department and travel Europe.
• Kelly N. Christian of Placentia, CSUF, psychology. Christian joined the Army in 2005 and served in the Army Reserves for a year before graduating from high school in 2006. She will commission into active duty as an adjutant general officer with first duty station in Fort Lewis, Wash.


Kelly N. Christian recites her oath of office. Photo by Greg Andersen

• Joseph C. Colon of Norwalk, Biola University, sociology. Colon is a graduate of Air Assault School and is headed into active duty as an armor officer projected to be stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
• Jordan K. Fankhauser of La Verne, CSUF, criminal justice. He is a graduate of Airborne School and is headed for active duty as a military intelligence officer with his first duty station at Fort Hood.
• Deandre Garlington of La Puente, CSUF, sociology. Garlington is reporting to the Army Reserves as a quartermaster officer. He will attend the Rio Hondo Police Academy in October, followed by a basic officer leadership course. Upon completion, Garlington will deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.


Jordan K. Fankhauser. Photo by Greg Andersen

• Ian A. Greven of Pomona, CSUF, history. Greven is a graduate of Airborne School and is headed into active duty as an ordnance officer. His first duty station will be at Fort Hood with the 1st Cavalry Division.
• Nicholas J. Griepsma of Fullerton, Biola, history and political science. Griepsma is a graduate of Airborne School and is ranked No. 15 in the nation among all commissioning active duty lieutenants. He is an armor officer projected to be stationed with his wife, Kayti, at Fort Wainwright in Alaska, with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
• Michelle N. Hadin of Plantersville, Texas, Vanguard, kinesiology. A veteran with the Army Reserves, Hadin is stationed with the 324th Psychological Operations Company in Aurora, Colo., and will enter active duty as an ordnance officer, to be stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia with the 3rd Infantry Division.


Deandre Garlington. Photo by Greg Andersen

• Kelvin Kwok of Diamond Bar, CSUF, history. Kwok, who was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, enlisted in the Army Reserves a year before graduating from Sonora High School in 2005. He is headed into the Army National Guard as an armor officer.
• Alice H. Lee of Anaheim, CSUF, nursing. Born in South Korea, Lee immigrated to the United States at the age of 18 and received her first bachelor’s degree in health science in 2007. She works at the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Medical Center in the spinal cord injury unit, and will enter active duty as a nurse.
• Susan M. Mejia of Orange, CSUF, criminal justice. Mejia spent the last three years as a Simultaneous Member Program cadet, stationed with the 163rd Ordnance Company in Irvine. She is going into active duty as an ordnance officer in Korea.


Ian A. Greven is all smiles after receiving his first salute as a 2nd lieutenant. Photo by Greg Andersen

• Joseph Park of Fullerton, Biola, political science and sociology. Park is headed into the Army Reserves as a transportation officer.
• Jesse N. Petrilla of Rancho Santa Margarita, CSUF, computer science. Petrilla is entering the Army National Guard as an armor officer.
• Ruth E. Rivas of Santa Ana, Vanguard, communications. Rivas, who was born in El Salvador, is married and has a daughter. She is going into the Army National Guard as an adjutant general officer.


Kelvin Kwok recites his oath of office. Photo by Greg Andersen

• Joshua E. Rosner of Fountain Valley, CSUF, communications. Rosner is a graduate of Airborne School and has earned the German Armed Forces Badge. He is entering active duty as an aviator and will attend Flight School at Fort Rucker in Alabama.
• David R. Schmid of Placentia, CSUF, criminal justice. Schmid enters the Army Reserves as a military police officer, stationed with the 11th Military Police Brigade in Los Alamitos.
• Brodie D. Trout of Anaheim, Chapman University, pre-law. Trout, a graduate of Mountain Warfare School and Airborne School, begins active duty as an armor officer to be stationed at Fort Benning, Ga.


Alice H. Lee is pinned by her mother Susan Lee, right, and sister Ashley Lee, right. Photo by Greg Andersen

• Aaron C. Valencia of Buena Park, Biola, psychology. Valencia is going into active duty as an engineer officer.
• Jennifer P. Wade of Norco, UC Irvine, social ecology. Wade is entering the Army Reserves as an adjutant general officer.
• David E. Wurbel of Anaheim, CSUF, biological science. Wurbel enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2000 and was assigned to the 349th General Hospital as a medic. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, assigned to the 437th Medical Company Ground Ambulance. He now enters the Army Reserves as a medical service corps officer stationed with the 272nd Minimal Care Detachment in Garden Grove.

Griepsma was named the battalion’s outstanding cadet. He receiving the George C. Marshall Award, the top cadet honor, for demonstrating leadership through outstanding performance in academics, military skills, extracurricular activities and physical fitness.

In addition, the ROTC’s Distinguished Military Award was presented to Griepsma, Fankhauser and Trout for displaying outstanding qualities of leadership, high moral character, noteworthy academic achievement and exceptional aptitude for military service.