Army ROTC held historic commissioning at SU basketball game

The Southern University Army ROTC program commissioned two students at halftime of the Men's basketball  game against Arkansas Pine Bluff on Saturday.

Tristen Haskett and Stanley Bienemy, juniors in the ROTC program, took the oath to officially be a part of the Army ROTC program at Southern and will be enroute to becoming officers in the United States Army once they graduate.

This was the first time students were commissioned at a sporting event at Southern University. Senior military instructor, Master Sgt. Ramon Martinez said the commissioning is an effort to reconnect Southern and the SU Army ROTC program.

 “We provide great direction and leadership that our kids lack nowadays,” says Martinez, emphasizing the potential of Southern’s Army ROTC program.

Haskett, a 25 year-old political science major from Coushatta, says he joined the “historic” ROTC program to better his opportunities in the Army.

Bienemy, a 29-year-old from Baton Rouge, who is working on a master’s in history, chose ROTC as a “springboard” to becoming an officer in the Army and to pursue a doctorate in military history.

Martinez said, “I want to recognize our two cadets because they are on their way to provide service to their country. They are not only students but students in the ROTC program so they have twice the responsibilities than that of an average college student.”

Describing the Army ROTC program, Bienemy said, “This is a quality program and you get a lot of one-on-one attention. You don’t get lost in the shuffle like at other institutions.”

Haskett said, “This program is on a new and upcoming direction and there are plenty of good things to come in the future. It is a good opportunity to establish your career and get a degree at the same time.”

To join the ROTC program a student must be enrolled at Southern University. For more information contact the Office of Army ROTC at 225-771-4160.