Florida Tech ROTC Panther Battalion Commissions Four New Army Second Lieutenants

By Space Coast Daily // December 22, 2022

new officers took commissioning oath of office and pinned on new Gold Bars

The Florida Institute of Technology Army ROTC Panther Battalion hosted its winter ceremony to commission four new Army Second Lieutenants. Above, left to right, are 2LT Jonathan Shimer, 2LT Nathan Johnson, 2LT Jared Blanco and 2LT Julia Seibold. (Florida Tech image)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Florida Institute of Technology Army ROTC Panther Battalion hosted its winter ceremony to commission four new Army Second Lieutenants.

The Commissioning Ceremony was held outdoors at the Florida Tech Panthereum with fellow cadets, friends, and families in attendance.

The new Lieutenants took the commissioning oath of office and pinned on their new “Gold Bars”, the rank insignia of Second Lieutenants.

The new officers also met the requirements to graduate from Florida Tech at the December Commencement.

At the Commissioning Ceremony, the new officers heard messages from the Interim President of Florida Tech, Robert King, J.D. and Guest Speaker, Brigadier General John M. Dreska Jr, the Commander of the 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Los Angeles, CA.

The new Florida Tech Graduates and Army Second Lieutenants are:

■ Jared Blanco, a graduate of Merritt Island High School, earned his B.S. degree at Florida Tech in Software Engineering.

He was the cadet battalion commander and earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in Gold as a cadet. Jared will initially serve in the National Guard as a Cyber Officer.

■ Nathan Johnson, who graduated from High School in Fairfax, VA, and earned his B.S. degree at Florida Tech in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics.

He also completed Air Assault School as a cadet. Nathan was commissioned as an Engineer Officer and will initially serve in the Army Reserves in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

■ Julia Seibold, who attended High School in North Carolina, and earned a B.S. degree in Ocean Engineering from Florida Tech where she was also on the Rowing Team. Julia was commissioned as an active duty Engineer Officer and is awaiting her unit assignment.

■ Jonathan Shimer, who graduated from Cocoa Beach High School and earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering at Florida Tech, where he was also the President of the Rugby Club.

Jonathan was commissioned as a National Guard Ordnance Officer with an assignment in Quincy, FL.

The new Lieutenants were also congratulated by LTC Jimmy Crook, Florida Tech Professor of Military Science.

The Cape Canaveral Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAACC) was also on hand to present the new Lieutenants with “Gold Bar” commissioning sets and membership in the organization.

Colonel Steve Bond, US Army-Retired and Past President of MOAACC, congratulated the new officers on their achievement wished them the best of luck as they begin their journey as officers in the United States Army.