Commissioning Ceremony

The University of Minnesota's Golden Gopher Battalion commissions new Second Lieutenants into the United States Army every year. These Soldiers will continue their journey as Officers by attending specialized training in their assigned occupations or branches.

The Commissioning Ceremony is a sacred one, steeped in honor and tradition. The event represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication and signifies the beginning of life as an officer. Each commissioning consists of three parts. First, the Cadet takes the oath of office. Next, the gold bars of a Second Lieutenant is pinned on their shoulders. Then the new Lieutenant receives their first salute. Approximately 70 percent of all new officers entering the Army each year are commissioned through Army ROTC. It is available at nearly 1,000 college campuses nationwide, ranging from Harvard to Berkeley--from Tufts to the University of Minnesota.  

University of Minnesota Twin-Cities Army ROTC commissions new Second Lieutenants every May and December into the United States Army. This is a defining moment where they no longer live by the Cadet Creed but eagerly accept the exceptional responsibility of being a Commissioned Officer.