Rutgers’ Army ROTC Commissioning May 21; Air Force ceremony is scheduled at Monmouth University May 23

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Nineteen members of Rutgers’ Class of 2013 will be commissioned second lieutenants Tuesday, May 21 after completing their Army ROTC training and taking an oath to protect America. Among them will be Distinguished Military Graduate Daniel Aurigemma of Hazlet, a future armor officer.

A 20th cadet, Freehold's Jason Weiner, will complete his requirements this summer. The stirring 11 a.m. ceremony is scheduled at Kirkpatrick Chapel, 81 Somerset St. on the College Avenue Campus. A reception will follow at the Rutgers Student Center, 126 College Avenue.

Another eight Rutgers graduates will be commissioned second lieutenants after completing their Air Force ROTC training and taking their oath Thursday, May 23 in an 11 a.m. ceremony at Wilson Hall, Monmouth University in West Long Branch. Two other cadets will be commissioned this summer.

Retired Army Col. Stephen G. Abel, Rutgers’ director for veterans and military programs and services, will address the former cadets, their families and friends. Abel is responsible for developing and coordinating a comprehensive program of support services for veteran, military and dependent students throughout the university.

Prior to joining Rutgers, Abel was the New Jersey Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs. Abel’s 27-year military career with the Army took him across the country and around the world from Fort Riley, Kan., to Korea and Hawaii.

Monmouth University President and retired Navy Vice Admiral Paul G. Gaffney II will address nine new Air Force second lieutenants, including one from his university, Mark D. Untisz, who will be stationed at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and their guests.

The new Army second lieutenants are from Bridgewater, Edison, Freehold, Hazlet, Morris Plains, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, Parsippany, Paterson, Phillipsburg, Stanhope, Union City, Voorhees, Wallington, Washington Township, West Orange and West Windsor, all in New Jersey. One is from Woodbridge, Va., and another is a native of India.

The new Air Force second lieutenants are from Cape May; Clinton; Hackensack; New Brunswick; Newton; Robbinsville; and Roseland, all New Jersey; Staten Island, N.Y.; and Seoul, Republic of Korea (South Korea). 

For more information on the Army commissioning, call 732-932-7313, ext. 10.

For more about the Air Force commissioning, call 732-932-7706, ext. 10.