The ROTC detachments at The Citadel provide cadets with leadership training, preparing them to begin their military careers as officers after graduation.

Through the departments, which include Air Force/Space Force ROTC, Army ROTC, Marine Corps ROTC and Navy ROTC, 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 U.S. Armed Forces.

Annually, the departments nominate their finest cadets and active duty students for awards. Nearly 125 awards were presented when the recipients were honored as a group on Thursday, April 7 in McAlister Field House.

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.

Annaleigh Runion

American Legion Military Excellence Award

Presented to Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force cadets who have demonstrated military excellence.

Marcus, Williams – Army
Aaron Daninger – Air Force
Cody L. Green – Marine Corps
Dietrich Heinz – Navy

American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award

Presented to Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force cadets who have demonstrated scholastic excellence.

Jaret Price – Army
James Jeffcoat – Air Force
Christian J. Chekroun – Marine Corps
Gavin Kingman – Navy

American Veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam Award

Presented to ROTC cadets for diligence, discharge of duty and willingness to serve God and country.

Ethan Jackson – Army
Daniel Shapiro – Air Force
Dylan O. Christmas – Marine Corps
Matthew Weaver – Navy

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.

Hannah Collee – Army
Tyler Duben – Air Force
Isaac G. Patterson – Marine Corps
Ernest James – Navy

Association of the United States Army Award

Presented to the ROTC cadet who best exemplifies leadership, is in the top 10% for ROTC courses and top 25% for all cadets academically.

Caleb Raab

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 U.S. Army, in conjunction with the US Army Center of Military History.

Azi Weaver

AT&T Veterans University ROTC Leadership Award

Presented to ROTC cadets who have displayed the ability to solve problems outside the box by using innovative thinking and carrying it through to execution.

Alec Hart – Army
Harrison Martin – Air Force
Alexander S. Loser – Marine Corps
Paul Oelkers – Navy

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.

Shannon Ziccarello – Army
Lane Johnson – Navy
David G. Stringer – Marine Corps
Nicole Spohn – Air Force

Chief of Naval Operations Distinguished Midshipmen Graduate Award

Honors one graduating midshipman at each NROTC Unit and midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy who demonstrate the highest standards of leadership, academic and military performance. 

Grayson Gasque

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.

John Hoag – Army
William Ray – Air Force
Kubwimana M. King – Marine Corps
Ryleigh Jenkins – Navy

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.

Samuel May
Meth Ranaweera
Benjamin Ligons
Malcolm Jackson

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.

William Herbert

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.

Jonathan B. Cribb

Marine Corps League Leadership Award

Presented to outstanding Marine and Navy seniors that have excelled in the areas of leadership, academics and military performance.

Cody L. Green – Marine Corps
SSgt Barry J. Morehart – Marine Corps
Nicole Spohn – Navy
Christopher Manley – Navy

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.

Peter Riazzi – Army
Emily Lund – Air Force
Benjamin E. Knight – Marine Corps
Thomas Blake Giles – Navy

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.

Thomas Fitzpatrick – Army
Taylor Merrell – Army
Seth Edwards – Army
Andrew Palmer – Air Force
Kyle Kras – Air Force
Everett Barkley – Air Force
Abigail G. Kanewske – Marine Corps
Chadd G. Smart – Marine Corps
Lucy Y. Pincus – Marine Corps
Ryan Craig – Navy
Connor Erwin – Navy
Jordan Kish – Navy

National Defense Transportation Association Award (NDTA)

Recognizes a senior cadet who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities, academic achievement and aptitude for military service.

Christian Blase – Army
Lane Johnson – Air Force
GySgt Kevin S. Haddad – Marine Corps

National Defense Industrial Association Award (NDIA)

Presented to a cadet who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities.

Jonathon Rhymer – Army
Robert DeMarre – Air Force
Christopher D. Sullivan – Marine Corps
Garrett Peal – Navy

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.

Evan Crawford – Army
Desmin Jones – Air Force
Noah P. Plunkett – Marine Corps
Nicholas Harpey – Navy

Naval Submarine League Award

Presented to the top Navy ROTC graduate volunteering for the Submarine Force.

Sarah Ervin

Navy League Honors Award

Presented to the top academic performers of the personnel within the Enlisted Commissioning Programs of the Navy ROTC department.

GySgt Cade A. Adams – Marine Corps
Joseph Roland – Navy

Pallas Athene Award

Presented to a female Army cadet who showcases scholastic excellence and is outstanding in her class.

Angela Lance

Reserve Officers Association Award

Presented to cadets who have demonstrated outstanding competence in the arts and sciences of national defense.

Walker Rhue – Army
Chasey Mercado – Army
Akhil Prathipati – Army
Colton Horvath – Air Force
Charles Corte – Air Force
Luke Eafano – Air Force
Trey S. Edelstein – Marine Corps
Austin R. Miles-Curtsinger – Marine Corps
Robert L. Clement – Marine Corps
Faith Kimpell – Navy
Kallan Stephens – Navy
Colin Gleco – Navy

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.

Sarah Fink – Army
Arista Couture – Air Force
Christopher L. Stuart – Marine Corps
Garrett Graettinger – Navy

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.

Zyhnue Alvarado-Ramos – Army
Gabriel Morgan – Air Force
Grace E. Cooper – Marine Corps
Robert Perrecone – Navy

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.

Will Walker – Army
Dallas Shreeve – Air Force
Samuel B. Nutting – Marine Corps
Thomas Frosch – Navy

Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)

Recognizes outstanding engineering students of the Military Reserve Officers Training Corps.

Robert King – Army
Kathryn Christmas – Air Force
SSgt Cody A. Martin – Marine Corps
Cameron Richard – Navy

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.

Tyler Harper – Army
Andrew Palmer – Air Force
Robert Whalley – Marine Corps
John Zitcovich – Navy

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 U.S. Special Forces.

Bethany Mathews – Army
Colton Horvath – Air Force
GySgt Seth C. James – Marine Corps
Asher Goar – Navy

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.

Wilhelm Birkholz – Army
Avery Lollis – Air Force
Tyler E. Miller – Marine Corps
Elijah Holder – Navy

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.

Samuel Wilson – Army
Jeremiah Days – Air Force
SSgt Thomas G. Conrad – Marine Corps
Trevor Compton – Navy

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..

Grant Speer – Army

Veterans of Foreign Wars Award (VFW)

Presented annually to seniors or juniors in each ROTC department who has achieved an outstanding academic record.

Andrew Parkhurst – Army
Tristan Eberbach – Air Force
Sylvester L. Guillermo – Marine Corps
Austin Buttle – Navy