Virginia Military Institute commissioned nearly 140 cadets into the armed services at the annual Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) joint commissioning ceremony May 15 in Cameron Hall. The ceremony was livestreamed for family and friends who could not attend the event in person.
Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, 13th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s second highest-ranking military officer, who arrived to post by helicopter, offered the commissioning officer remarks and administered the oath of office to the cadets beginning their journey of military service as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps, and as ensigns in the Coast Guard and Navy.
Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87, who just completed his first academic year as the Institute’s 16th superintendent, welcomed the nation’s newest military officers, their friends and families, faculty and staff, and members of the Corps of Cadets to the ceremony. He thanked the ROTC officers, cadre, and staff who were instrumental in teaching and mentoring the young officers, and acknowledged all the veterans and current military members in the audience. “We appreciate the sacrifices you have made and the leadership you have shown. These cadets are following in your footsteps because of the examples you have set,” he said.
Furness reminded the commissioning cadets that VMI has prepared them to face any challenge or adversary, and how honor, courage, and commitment have been instilled in them. “These fundamentals will serve you well for the rest of your life. The time has come for you to take the next step in your careers and serve our great nation.”
He shared three habits he was advised to adhere to when he was a young officer. “First, embrace lifelong learning. You must continually increase your knowledge through practice and self-study. Second, stay physically fit. You will find that when stress arrives, you will be better disciplined to persevere when you are fit, and always remember that a strong mind never grows in a weak body. Last, but most importantly, you must take care of those you lead. Whether in the military, the civilian sector, or your family, people will depend on you to be an ethical and reliable source of strength, to teach, coach, and mentor those you are responsible for.” He congratulated the cadets on attaining a commission, voiced his pride of them, thanked them for making the decision to serve in the military, and wished them Godspeed.
Furness then introduced Mahoney as a great friend and noted their paths crossed many times throughout their careers. Mahoney graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, with a bachelor’s degree in economics, and commissioned into the Marine Corps. He has served as a pilot with the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron known as the “Bengals,” as well as the fighter squadrons known as the “Werewolves,” the “Crusaders,” and the “Bats.” He has held command at the squadron, group, and wing levels. He is a graduate of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, the Marine Division Tactics Course, and the Navy Fighter Weapons School commonly known as TOPGUN. He holds two master’s degrees. One from the University of Canberra in Australia, and one from Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, both with the highest academic distinction.
Mahoney shared he was honored and humbled to speak at VMI, which he described as hallowed ground. To the commissionees, he stated that the era of America’s uncontested dominance is over. “The adversaries you face are capable. They are hungry, and they’re watching you. You’re about to be handed the greatest responsibility the nation can bestow.” He told them they will be tested. “The enemy will jam your communications. Your screens will go black. You will not be able to call higher headquarters for permission. You will not be able to call in a medical evacuation. Will you freeze? Will you wait for perfect information? What will you do? Answering that question will require everything you have. It will require the lessons of this great institution that is built on unrivaled tradition, and these traditions over time have become legend.” Mahoney then cited legendary VMI alumni like Lt. Gen. Chesty Puller, VMI Class of 1921; Lt. Gen. Charles Kilbourne, VMI Class of 1894; Maj. Gen. William Upshur, VMI Class of 1902; and Gen. Lemuel Shepherd, VMI Class of 1917; who all faced dire situations in battle, but instead of hesitating or panicking, they relied on the steel VMI put in their spines. “They did not shrink from violence. They stepped into the breach.” He warned the new officers that because these VMI legendary ghosts set such a high standard, the military has high expectations of VMI graduates. “When a commander sees a VMI ring on a finger, they don’t see a recent college graduate, they see the ghosts of VMI. They expect you to be unbreakable, they expect you to lead from the front, and they expect you to navigate chaos without losing your bearing. Virginia Military Institute has given you the discipline and uncompromised standard. The rest is up to you. The ghosts of VMI are watching you. Our adversaries are preparing for you. What will you do?”
He then asked the commissioning cadets to stand as he administered the oath of office. Afterward, the brother rats gave each other congratulatory hugs as the audience applauded and cheered.
Following the ceremony, the separate military branches conducted individual pin-on ceremonies at various locations on post. It was there that the newly commissioned officers followed a tradition of presenting a silver dollar to the active service member or veteran from whom they received their first salute.
According to Capt. Megan Taylor, assistant professor of military science for the Army ROTC George C. Marshall Battalion—formerly known as the Blue Ridge Battalion—at VMI. Many were exemplary, but two were prominent: James Aldinger, an international studies major from Arlington, Virginia; and Matthew Kleinschuster, an applied mathematics major from Richmond, Virginia. “Aldinger served as the Ranger Challenge platoon leader responsible for the training and preparation of the Ranger Challenge team. Under his leadership, the team successfully competed at Exercise Cambrian Patrol in Wales in the United Kingdom; at the 4th Brigade Ranger Challenge at Fort Pickett, Virginia; and at the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His ability to coordinate training, planning, and logistics for local, national, and international competitions far exceeded the traditional cadet experience. He ranked within the top 1% of cadets nationwide and is branching in the infantry. Kleinschuster served as battalion commander and was responsible for the oversight, accountability, and training of four companies and more than 1,000 VMI cadets. He had the single greatest impact on the Army ROTC mission and overall success of the battalion over the past year. Through his leadership, work ethic, and very impressive GPA, Kleinschuster earned the distinction of being ranked the No. 8 cadet in the nation and was selected to branch in explosive ordnance disposal,” Taylor said.
Lt. Cmdr. Tom Campbell, naval science instructor for Naval ROTC, designated two cadets who commissioned into the Navy and two who commissioned into the Marine Corps as truly outstanding. Macallister Clark, a mechanical engineering major from Saint Michael, Minnesota, was a four-year national scholarship recipient, and retained a 4.0 four-year GPA. He was selected to be commissioned as a Naval reactors engineer (NRE), an elite technical officer who manages the lifecycle of Navy nuclear propulsion plants. The last year a VMI cadet commissioned as NRE was 2017.
Nicole Samella, an electrical and computer engineering major from Virginia Beach, Virginia, was a four-year national scholarship recipient, maintained a superior GPA and high physical fitness scores, and served as the NROTC battalion commander. As the top ranked surface warfare officer in the nation, she was handpicked to transfer into the Navy Engineering Duty Officer program.
Kern Aughinbaugh, a biology major from San Marcos, California, served as the Marine Company commanding officer and advisor for the NROTC Bulldog Program, helping prepare candidates for the physical requirements of the Marine Officer Candidate School. Moreover, he served the Corps as Golf Company commander in the regiment. Devin Auzenne, a history major from Opelousas, Louisiana, was a four-year national scholarship recipient. In addition to serving the Corps as regimental commanding officer, he also was an advisor for the NROTC Bulldog Program. Both Aughinbaugh and Auzenne will go to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.
Col. Eric Steele, commander of Air Force ROTC, cited two cadets as exceptional. Reese Lassiter, a mechanical engineering and physics double major from Louisa, Virginia, has earned the coveted Distinguished Graduate (DG) award—established to recognize the top 10% of commissioning cadets—from AFROTC. “He’s been a standout cadet his entire time in our program, winning national awards and earning recognition through several highly competitive military training courses. He will be attending undergraduate pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi after commissioning,” said Steele.
Hannah Buttner, an international studies major from Williamsburg, Virginia, successfully completed a leadership tour as Cadet Wing commander last fall. “Competing through a highly rigorous process at the national level, she was also selected to attend Green Flag-West at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, and at Fort Irwin, California, where she gained broad exposure to Air Force and Army joint air-to-ground operations in a real-world training environment. She is this year’s recipient of the Captain John W. Kennedy ’69 Award for sustained excellence throughout her time as a cadet. She will attend intelligence officer training at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas,” Steele explained.
According to Command Sgt. Maj. Suzanne Rubenstein, director of cadet activities and VMI liaison for the Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program, one cadet who commissioned in the Coast Guard. Shane McKenna, an international studies major from Salt Point, New York, served as commander for the AUP and was Foxtrot Company executive officer.
Memorial Parade
Earlier in the day the Memorial Parade was held, commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of all alumni who died on the field of honor including the Mexican-American War, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, the Marine Barracks in Lebanon, the Persian Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism. The large garrison flags were flown at half-staff, by order of Gov. Abigail Spanberger, in memory and respect of Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, a fitting backdrop as all 591 alumni names were somberly read by Stone Gardner ’28, Sophia Lurey ’28, Garrett Maye ’28, and Jamie Rodriguez ’28. A wreath was laid at the foot of the monument, “Virginia Mourning Her Dead,” as well as at the three barracks arches. A prayer led by Col. John P. Casper ’04, Institute chaplain, was followed by the firing of a three-volley salute. A stirring echo rendition of “Taps” was played by Louis Marangoni ’27 and resonated by Khaidan Piedmonte ’28, followed by the Pipe Band leading the Regimental Band in an emotional delivery of “Amazing Grace.” Col. Lawrence “Ley” Havird ’90, commandant, was joined by Furness in taking review of the parade as the Corps marched from the Parade Ground down Letcher Avenue and ending in barracks.
