Jason Koski/University Photography

Flanked by his family, 2nd Lt. Robert Callahan receives his rank insignia at the ROTC commissioning ceremony in Statler Auditorium May 24.

Jason Koski/University Photography

2nd Lt. Courtney Culhane receives her commission.

Jason Koski/University Photography

Twenty-one ROTC cadets received their commissions at the Cornell ceremony.

Terry Cullen, MBA ’66, head coach of sprint football at Cornell, recounted his service as a Marine Corps infantry officer in Vietnam at the May 24 ROTC Joint Service Brigade Commissioning Ceremony in Statler Auditorium.

He said the transition as a young man from college to the Marines was “a little scary.” Less than a year after signing up, he found himself in combat in Vietnam as a second lieutenant.

“When I showed up at the fort, they laughingly said, ‘Here’s the Ivy League guy,’” he said. His fellow soldiers initially treated him as if he didn’t “have a clue,” he added. They lost two-thirds of their company in the first two weeks he was on duty, then Cullen found himself being briefed on how to be a company commander in case the last remaining captain was killed. Soon after, Cullen was shot and returned to the States and Cornell. He received the Purple Heart and Silver Star.

Such were a few of the stories told during the ceremony, where 16 graduating Cornell ROTC students received their commissions (seven in the Army, seven in the Navy and Marines, and two in the Air Force) and stepped on stage to pledge to defend the Constitution.

Though most were given the oath of office by ROTC faculty members, some were sworn in by family members who are career military officers. For example, Grant George, who will attend the Quartermaster Corps Basic Officer Leader Course in Virginia, was sworn in by his father, Army Brig. Gen. Randy George. And James Chamberlain IV, who will train for space and missile operations at Vandenberg Air Force base in California, was sworn in by his uncle, retired Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz.

Parents, relatives and friends pinned rank insignia on the new officers, followed by a first salute from a noncommissioned officer. During the handshake after the first salute, new officers palm and hand off a silver dollar, often somewhat secretly. According to tradition dating to the British Army, a new officer was expected to give $1 to an enlisted adviser to help train him. Today, the gesture shows the appreciation officers have for enlisted personnel, according to the program notes.

Vice Provost Judith Appleton spoke of the “many traditions that are evident in an event like this,” including those of families, college and the military, she said. She spoke of commissioning ceremonies as family events. “Many of you have a tradition of military service in your families as I have in mine,” including her father, brother and other relatives, she said.

Appleton also commented on Cornell’s “long history and tradition of service to the military,” and noted that “military science” training was offered at the university since its inception nearly 150 years ago and continues to this day.

“Cornell University has a tradition of educating the leaders of tomorrow,” she said, adding that leadership is often a subtle attribute that may not be immediately apparent, “but with gold bars … your leadership will be immediately apparent to those you meet.”

A total of 21 cadets received their commissions, including three from Ithaca College, one from Binghamton University and one from Elmira College.