CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA (April 9, 2024) — The Citadel's mission of producing principled leaders is well demonstrated through the ROTC detachments, which provide cadets with the necessary tools to prepare them for their future military careers after graduation.
The departments, which include Air Force/Space Force ROTC, Army ROTC, Marine Corps ROTC, and Navy ROTC, ensures The Citadel is one of the nation's proven producers of top military leaders.
Each year, about 30% of those graduating from the South Carolina Corps of Cadets earn commissions into all branches of the US Armed Forces.
Annually, the departments nominate their finest cadets and active-duty students for awards. Recipients were honored as a group on Thursday, March 28.
This year's award winners are as follows:
Air Force Association Cadet Medal
Presented a junior cadet in recognition of outstanding achievement in leadership and academic standing in the Air Force ROTC.
Andrew E Dezelle — Air Force
American Legion Military Excellence Award
Presented to Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force cadets who have demonstrated military excellence.
Langley T Brimm — Army
Emily E Hickey — Navy
Vincent A Rivera — Marine Corps
Kenyaz M Boston — Air Force
American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award
Presented to Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force cadets who have demonstrated scholastic excellence.
Trevor G Mayes — Army
Scott M Dale — Navy
Grace E Cooper — Marine Corps
George S Honiotes — Air Force
American Veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam Award
Presented to ROTC cadets for diligence, discharge of duty and willingness to serve God and country.
Walker R Rhue — Army
Tyler Z Geathers - Navy
John A Roberts — Marine Corps
Colton M Horvath — Air Force
Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA)
Recognizes ROTC students who have demonstrated good moral character, academic excellence, and potential to serve as officers in the United States Armed Forces.
Sara Fink — Army
Sebastian S Klincewicz — Navy
Matthew E Beckham — Marine Corps
Tristan R Bisbano — Air Force
Association of the United States Army Award
Presented to the ROTC cadet who epitomizes the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.
Sam Wilson — Army
Association of the United States Army Military History Award
Presented to a cadet who has demonstrated a strong interest in, and acumen regarding, the study of military history. The award is a joint project of the Association of the US Army, in conjunction with the US Army Center of Military History.
Aiden Morley — Army
Daughters of the American Revolution Award (DAR)
Presented to one outstanding cadet from each ROTC unit who demonstrates the qualities of dependability and good character, leadership ability, and a fundamental and patriotic understanding of the importance of ROTC training.
Caitlin Curmode — Army
Ryleigh M Jenkins — Navy
Trey S Edelstein — Marine Corps
Gianna M Rabassi — Air Force
Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America Award
Recognizes outstanding upperclassmen who have demonstrated the qualities of leadership and high scholastic average, and who are highly active in student affairs.
Riley E Chadwell — Army
Jayden D Salley — Navy
Kanjanka C Kincaid -— Marine Corps
Oyindamola E Akinsanya — Air Force
Department of the Army Superior Cadet Award
The Department of the Army provides this award annually to the outstanding ROTC cadet in each year of military science at The Citadel that is in the top 25 percent of their ROTC class and academic class.
Stephanie Schnite — Army (MS I)
Constance J Toldo — Army (MS II)
Gage Timberlake — Army (MS III)
Brendan E Luginbuhl — Army (MS IV)
Major General Robert Frederick Leadership Award
Presented to a cadet who successfully graduates from the Leader Development and Assessment Course, is compliant with the Army ROTC contract and exhibits exceptional leadership ability and potential.
Taylor N Merrell — Army
Marine Corps Association Award
Presented to a Marine option midshipman in recognition of high endeavor and superior accomplishment during four years of study at The Citadel as a Marine option student.
Daniel F Smith — Marine Corps
Marine Corps League Leadership Award
Presented to outstanding Marine and Navy seniors that have excelled in the areas of leadership, academics and military performance.
Nicolas R Harpey — Navy
Marcus R Newman — Marine Corps
Military Officer Association of America ROTC Medal (MOAA)
Presented to outstanding cadets or midshipmen in their next-to-last year in the program who has demonstrated exceptional potential for military leadership.
Thomas Fitzpatrick — Army
Asher D Goar — Navy
Abigail G Kanewske — Marine Corps
Pierceson C Lee — Air Force
Military Order of the World Wars Award (MOWW)
Presented to one member in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th class from each branch of service for their diligence in demonstrating military excellence and outstanding accomplishments during the year.
Colby J McCormick — Army
Alexis VanBrocklin — Army
Liam Haggerty — Army
Amanda L Wolford — Navy
Hannah B Cullen — Navy
Sebastian D Herbert — Navy
Miles R Israelow — Marine Corps
Coleman W Bland — Marine Corps
Elijah R Rodriguez — Marine Corps
Benjamin A Waldron — Air Force
Clyde E Rankins — Air Force
Tristan Thompson — Air Force
Military Order of the Purple Heart Award
Presented to underclass ROTC cadets who have a positive attitude towards ROTC and country, hold a leadership position in the Corps of Cadets, are academically proficient and are active in the community and school affairs.
Eric Becker — Army
Robert C Perrecone — Navy
Patrick L Kenny — Marine Corps
Nicholas A King — Air Force
MSgt Gavulic Award
Presented to an Air Force cadet who displays a strong work ethic and embodies team dynamics.
Brayden Shirly — Air Force
National Defense Transportation Association Award (NDTA)
Recognizes a senior cadet who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities, academic achievement, and aptitude for military service.
Ethan C Goswick — Army
Daniel R Rathbun — Navy
Alexander S Loser — Marine Corps
Ethan H Nader — Air Force
National Sojourners Award
Recognizes cadets in each ROTC department who have a potential for outstanding leadership and have encouraged and demonstrated the ideals of Americanism by deed and conduct.
Clayton Gurley — Army
Timothy A Kolb — Navy
Karessa A Hill — Marine Corps
Keegan S Foley — Air Force
Navy League Honors Award
Presented to the top academic performers of the personnel within the Enlisted Commissioning Programs of the Navy ROTC department.
Desmin T Jones — Navy
SSgt Gabriel L Colon — Marine Corps
Reserve Officers Association Award
Presented to cadets who have demonstrated outstanding competence in the arts and sciences of national defense.
Hayden H Back — Army
Benjamin Lesesne — Army
Brody J McLaury — Army
Vance S Hurley — Navy
Elisha A Byron — Navy
Benjamin Warner — Navy
Joshua L Riggs — Marine Corps
Samuel B Nutting — Marine Corps
Noah P Plunkett — Marine Corps
Daniel J Dubose — Air Force
Andrew T Palmer — Air Force
Allan M Jacobs — Air Force
Society of the Daughters of the War of 1812
Presented to cadets who have significantly demonstrated and encouraged the ideals of Americanism by both deed and conduct.
Kylie C Coulston — Army
Robert J Wright — Navy
Jonathan D Wyble — Marine Corps
Caroline K Weeren — Air Force
Society of the War of 1812 Award
Presented to cadets in the 3rd class who have done the most to demonstrate and encourage the ideals of Americanism by both deed and conduct.
David W Gavin — Army
Rolando Jimenez — Navy
Tatiana G Demcovich — Air Force
Sons of the American Revolution Award (SAR)
Presented to the outstanding Army, Marine, Navy, and Air Force cadets based on military excellence and scholarship in their ROTC studies and activities.
Colin G White — Army
Elizabeth A Goodson — Navy
Ian P McGrath — Marine Corps
South Carolina State Guard Award for Excellence
Presented to outstanding Army, Marine, Navy, and Air Force cadets based on attitude, leadership, initiative, judgement, and self-confidence.
Tristan A Carney — Army
Ryan T Almstadt — Navy
Thadeus J O'Neill — Marine Corps
Jessica R Bailey — Air Force
Special Forces Association Medal of Excellence
Presented to a standout freshman or sophomore cadet who has shown scholastic excellence and military proficiency in keeping with the ideals of US Special Forces.
Christian J Howell — Army
Dylan M Plows — Navy
SStg John R Bauman — Marine Corps
Christian B Naddy — Air Force
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Award
Presented to outstanding cadets who have made significant contributions to demonstrate and encourage patriotism through participation in activities on campus or in the community.
Archie J Dennis — Army
Paul M Caruso — Navy
Kyle H Samida — Marine Corps
Tyler E Jacobs — Air Force
USAA Spirit Award
Presented to students in each ROTC department that best display the traits and characteristics that embody the spirit of service to others.
Caleb A Wilson — Army
Keshawn J Pitts-Bermudez — Navy
Joseph P Hiatt — Marine Corps
Aaron Candreva — Air Force
Col. Benjamin Vandervoort 82nd Airborne Award
Presented to an Airborne qualified MS IV. Receives a paratrooper trophy and monetary award from the COL Benjamin Vandervoort Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association.
Tavin F Heisig — Army
Veterans of Foreign Wars Award (VFW)
Presented annually to seniors or juniors in each ROTC department who has achieved an outstanding academic record.
Brett R Derrick — Army
Andrew R Forester — Navy
Vincent A Massaro — Marine Corps
Justin H Lively — Air Force
About The Citadel
The Citadel, with its iconic campus located in Charleston, South Carolina, offers a classic military-college education for young men and women focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction. The approximately 2,300 members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets are not required to serve in the military, but about one-third of each class earn commissions to become officers in every branch of US military service. Citadel alumni have served the nation, their states, and their communities as principled leaders since 1842. The Citadel Graduate College offers dozens of graduate-degree, graduate-certificate, and evening-undergraduate programs in the evening or online. The Citadel has been consecutively named Best Public College in the South by US News and World Report for thirteen years and N° 1 Best Public College for Veterans in the South for six years. Learn more about The Citadel here.
