Army ROTC Cadets Commissioned as Officers

Be open to trying new ideas. Don't be afraid to fail. Lead by example and be an inspiring leader. Follow these ideas and you will have success in your military career, according to Retired Army Col. Stephen G. Abel, Rutgers University director for veterans and military programs and services.

"If you do that, the men and women who work for you will do anything for you," Abel said.

Abel addressed 19 graduates at the Rutgers Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony on Tuesday morning at Kirkpatrick Chapel.

Joined by their families and friends, the 19 men and women in the Army ROTC program each took an oath to serve and protect the country and had their new ranks pinned onto their uniforms.

The newest Army ROTC class of men and women leave Rutgers having achieved a cumulative 3.2 GPA and taking first place of 18 schools participating in field training exercises at Fort Dix, according to Lt. Col. Samuel Welch, professor of Military Science at Rutgers.

"They make Rutgers University proud," he said.

19 students in the class of 2013 were commissioned Second Lieutenants on Tuesday. One additional graduate will be commissioned over the summer, according to Rutgers.

The university expanded its ROTC program this past semester with the addition of a Naval ROTC program.