Florida Tech ROTC New U.S. Army Lieutenants Receive Gold Bars During Fall Commissioning Ceremony
By Space Coast Daily // December 18, 2024
Military Officers Association of America presented the new Lieutenants with Gold Bars
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BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – While the marquee flashed congratulations, Florida Tech ROTC cadets, family, and friends gathered in the Hartley Room of the Student Union Building for the Fall Commissioning Ceremony on December 13.
Four new officers received their commissions in the ceremony as 2nd Lieutenants in the U.S. Army, as three of the new Lieutenants met the requirements to graduate from Florida Tech at the fall commencement, and one graduated from Eastern Florida State College.
The new U.S. Army Second Lieutenants include:
■ Haley K. Auckland graduated from High School in Morris, Ill, and received her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Eastern Florida State College. She was commissioned in the Aviation Branch and hopes to be an Apache helicopter pilot.
■ Silas J. Cullum graduated from High School at Christ Church Academy in Jacksonville, FL. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Florida Tech in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned into the Army National Guard as an Infantry Officer.
■ Olivia A. Troisi graduated from Heritage High School in Palm Bay and received her Bachelor’s degree from Florida Tech in Biomedical Science. She served as the Cadet Battalion Commander and was commissioned as an active-duty Medical Service Corps officer.
■ Marco A. Zavala graduated from High School in Chicago and received his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Florida Tech. He also graduated from the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. He was commissioned as an active-duty Medical Service Corps Officer and hopes to continue his education to become a medical doctor.
During the commissioning ceremony, the new officers took the oath of office and pinned on their new “Gold Bars” the rank insignia of Second Lieutenants.
They heard messages and congratulations from Florida Tech President John Nicklow and guest speaker, retired U.S. Navy Captain William Toti.
Toti was Commander of Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Command Norfolk and Commodore of Submarine Squadron 3. He is an author, podcaster, and frequent guest commentator for various news outlets.
Lt. Col. Rob Stillings, Florida Tech Professor of Military Science, also congratulated the new Lieutenants.
The Cape Canaveral Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAACC) was on hand to present the new Lieutenants with “Gold Bar” commissioning sets and membership in MOAA.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Steve Bond, Past MOAACC President and President of the MOAA Florida Council presented the Gold Bar sets and wished the new graduates the best of luck as officers in the U.S. Army.
