Two Graduate West Point From West Mifflin

When the graduates of the United States Military Academy Class of 2017 marched into Michie Stadium at West Point, N.Y. May 27 to receive their diplomas and officers’ commissions, two of the cadets started their first steps years before in the same place – the Mon Valley community of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.

Second lieutenants Michael D. Kinney and Brandon Yarnovich, both graduates of West Mifflin Area High School, begin marching in uniform several years earlier as part of the Air Force JROTC program. Both of the young officers credit the four years of JROTC instruction they received with not only helping them gain entry into the tough, competitive school that is West Point, but also expect that training to assist them as military leaders.

“Air Force JROTC taught me to seek opportunities and give my best effort in everything I do,” said Yarnovich, who was a lieutenant colonel and cadet commander while in high school. “I learned that it is never OK to settle for mediocrity. I did not want to go to an average school. I did not want to be average.”

Average is not what a place that trains the nation’s future military leaders is about. To be considered, a potential West Point cadet’s academic aptitude, physical fitness and character are heavily weighed. Typically, less than 10 percent of those who apply are accepted.

Yarnovich and Kinney were two of more than 15,400 applicants from across the United States and around the world who were seeking admission into West Point as part of the Class of 2017. Of that number, 1,193 new cadets were there to start the first day. Four years later at graduation, fewer than 1,000 of them made the final cut and marched into Michie Stadium.

Like his classmate, Kinney points to his time in the Air Force JROTC as helping him make the cut.

“The Air Force JROTC program with West Mifflin helped me prepare for West Point by providing me with a foundation and basis of leadership experience,” he said. “It showed me the type of dedication, selfless service, and commitment I will need when performing at West Point.”

Yarnovich agreed that the core concepts taught by the West Mifflin Air Force JROTC were key to his success.

“West Mifflin Air Force JROTC taught me how to set smart, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely goals,” he said. “Without learning how to set goals at a young age, I wouldn't have even been accepted to West Point.”

Both new officers also credited their West Mifflin Air Force JROTC instructors, Maj. Scott R. Harbula and Senior Master Sgt. Oreste DiCerbo, with guidance and mentorship.

“Sergeant Dicerbo and Maj. Harbula do an excellent job teaching discipline, goal setting, respect, selfless service, integrity, and much more,” said Yarnovich.

“Air Force JROTC really embraces and reflects the values that Maj. Harbula and Senior Master Sgt. Oreste DiCerbo try to instill,” agreed Kinney, who was also a cadet commander while in high school. “Those values show the culture of the United States military.”

While attending West Point, 2nd Lt. Kinney majored in nuclear engineering. He is slated to be assigned to a unit in Fort Bliss, Texas. His classmate, 2nd Lt. Yarnovich, studied economics and systems engineering, and looks forward to joining the elite 82nd Airborne Division as an artillery officer.

In addition to the members of the Air Force JROTC, both men credit the support they received from their families to help get them to this point in their careers.

“I would like to thank my parents and brother,” said Kinney. “They really inspired me to pursue a career in the military, and the honor and integrity that comes with serving our nation.”

In addition to also thanking his family and friends, Yarnovich gave special praise to his grandmother, Betty Yarnovich, who took over the role of raising him when he was orphaned at the age of four. The grandmother worked as a waitress for many years in nearby McKeesport to help the young officer achieve his dream of earning an Army commission.