Cody Kirkpatrick commissioned as second lieutenant

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Cody Kirkpatrick

MENOMONIE, WIS. (12/19/2012)(readMedia)-- Cody Kirkpatrick, from Mineral Point, Wis., was commissioned as a second lieutenant at the Northwoods Army ROTC Battalion Winter Commissioning Ceremony Dec. 15 at UW-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wis.

ROTC stands for Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

UW-Stout, UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls and UW-Stevens Point comprise the Northwoods Battalion in northern Wisconsin. Kirkpatrick's branch in the military is Corps of Engineers.

The commissioning ceremony includes a commitment to support and defend the U.S. Constitution. A cadet is granted authority to carry out the duties as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. The authority to grant a commission rests with Congress.

During the ceremony, each cadet takes the Oath of Office, similar to the president of the United States at inauguration. The cadet chooses an officer or retired officer to administer the oath. Family members, or others close to the individual being commissioned, pin the cadet with gold bars. The ceremony culminates with the newly commissioned officer being saluted by a noncommissioned officer of his or her choice.

The battalion has furnished lieutenants to local National Guard and Army Reserve units as well as to the active Army.

Each year, the battalion trains approximately 140 cadets across all academic levels and produces an average of 24 lieutenants. Winter, spring and summer commissioning ceremonies are held. Students enroll in leadership courses as electives in pursuit of a degree of their choice.

In 2005, an ROTC partnership program was established at UW-Stout with 11 students. Students from UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls took ROTC courses through UW-Stout.

In 2007, a partnership program was established at UW-River Falls.

In 2009, ROTC became part of UW-Eau Claire, and in 2010 a partnership agreement was signed.

For more information refer to www.uwstout.edu/programs/rotc/ or contact Lt. Col. Brian Stout at 715-232-5629 or stoutb@uwstout.edu.