ROTC graduates recognized for talents, leadership, and service

Yale honored its graduating Air Force, Naval, and Army ROTC students during a joint commissioning ceremony held in Battell Chapel on Monday afternoon following the university’s Commencement celebration. During the ceremony, cadets and midshipmen from Yale College’s Class of 2024, as well as graduates from other area colleges, received their official appointments as military officers.

During the ceremony, Air Force ROTC Commander Col. Les Oberg noted the “incredible talents, leadership, and commitment to service” of each of the cadets and midshipmen.

“You will no doubt lead our armed forces to new heights,” he said. “And our services, like our country, need you for the daunting challenges ahead. Thank you for stepping up.”

Oberg also expressed gratitude to Yale President Peter Salovey, attending his final commissioning ceremony as Yale’s leader before his planned return to the faculty in June, and First Lady Marta Moret for their “continued and unwavering investment and support” of Yale’s ROTC programs. “The levels of success we have achieved in such a short amount of time on campus are a direct result,” he said.

A keynote address was offered by Bill Nelson, a NASA administrator and former U.S. senator who was an Army ROTC graduate in Yale’s Class of 1965. Since Nelson was unable attend the ceremony because of professional obligations, his remarks were read by Bruce Smathers, a former secretary of state for the state of Florida and Nelson’s roommate at Yale.