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 6 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.

Colton Horvath

American Legion Military Excellence Award

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

John Rourke – Army
Dallas Shreeve – Air Force
Isaac Patterson – Marine Corps
Trevor Compton – Navy

American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award

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

Samuel Rieger – Army
Emily Lund – Air Force
Austin Curtsinger – Marine Corps
Dylan Wood – 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.

Robert Lowe – Army
Avery Lollis – Air Force
Dyce Duckworth – Marine Corps
Ernest James – 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.

Frederick Slateon – Army
Ricardo Quintero – Air Force
Daniel Rathbun – Navy

Association of the United States Army Award

Presented to the ROTC cadet who epitomizes the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity and personal courage.

Trevor Mayes

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.

Henry Clarke

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.

Taylor Swiger – Army
Jack Winter – Air Force
Natalie Stewart – Marine Corps
Alexandria Carter – Navy

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.

Ava McLaughlin – Army
Michael Galloway – Air Force
Larsen Plunnecke – Marine Corps
Nicholas Tuzzolino – 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.

William McDonnell
Sam Wilson
Caitlin Curmode
Patrick Cherry

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.

Noah Rodgers

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.

Christopher Sullivan

Marine Corps League Leadership Award

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

Isaac Patterson – Marine Corps
Dylan Johnson – Navy
Austin Lash – 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.

Clay Caldwell – Army
Caroline Weeren – Air Force
Breanna Curtis – Marine Corps
Connor Erwin – 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.

Grant Hyman – Army
Edward McAninch – Army
Nicholas Crews – Army
Tatiana Demcovich – Air Force
Keegan Foley – Air Force
Gabriel Morgan – Air Force
Thadeus O’Neill – Marine Corps
Abigail Sitarik – Marine Corps
Noah Plunkett – Marine Corps
Dylan Plows – Navy
Ryan Craig – Navy
Robert Perrecone – Navy

Military Order of the Purple Heart Award

Presented to underclass ROTC cadets who have a positive attitude towards ROTC and country, hold a leadership position in the Corps of Cadets, are academically proficient and are active in the community and school affairs.

Shannon Curtis – Army
Gianna Rabassi – Air Force
Gustavo Pizza – Marine Corps
John Zitcovich – Navy

National Defense Transportation Association Award (NDTA)

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

Charles Corte – Air Force

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.

Langley Brimm – Army
Kenyaz Boston – Air Force
Marcus Newman – Marine Corps
Emily Hickey – Navy

Navy League Honors Award

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

GySgt Matthew Hart– Marine Corps
Kallan Stephens – Navy

Reserve Officers Association Award

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

Maximillian Jordan – Army
Ethan Goswick – Army
Wilhelm Birkholz – Army
Thomas Johnson – Air Force
Jonah Charles – Air Force
Arita Couture – Air Force
Brianna Arguello – Marine Corps
John Roberts – Marine Corps
Dylan Christmas – Marine Corps
Timothy Kolb – Navy
John Zitcovich – Navy
Andrew Finkle – 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.

Olivia Liquiri – Army
Sharize Roper – Air Force
Grace Cooper – Marine Corps
Ryleigh Jenkins – 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.

Tyler Harper – Army
Andrew Dezelle – Air Force
Samuel Nutting – Marine Corps
Keshawn Pitts-Bermudez – 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.

Alexis Van Brocklin – Army
Megan Karcher – Air Force
Joshua Riggs – Marine Corps
Aislinn Crowe – 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.

Westin Lever – Army
Daniel DuBose – Air Force
Abigail Kanewske – Marine Corps
Andrew Tollefson – 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.

Timothy Youmans – Army
Brayden Shirley – Air Force
SSgt James Anderson – 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.

Thomas Fitzpatrick – Army
Kyle Kras – Air Force
Trey Edelstein – Marine Corps
Faith Kimpell – 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.

Joseph Girsh – Army
Marcus Evans – Air Force
SSgt David Gray – Marine Corps
Nicholas Harpey – 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..

Seth Edwards

Veterans of Foreign Wars Award (VFW)

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

Aleksander Pach – Army
Tyler Duben – Air Force
John Kroske – Marine Corps
Jacob Ingoe – Navy