UD ROTC Commissions Cadets
Dec 18, 2012 | University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
Four U.S. Army ROTC cadets will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants during a December 20, 2012 Commissioning Ceremony at the University of Dubuque. The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. in Steffens Hall of the Charles and Romona Myers Center, and will feature Major General (Ret.) Robert Felderman (C'88) as the keynote speaker. The ROTC Eagle Company, headquartered at the University of Dubuque, is open to students from all three Dubuque institutions - UD, Loras, and Clarke - as well as the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
"This is the capstone event of either a two or four -year process towards commissioning," said Colonel Daniel Kammiller, senior military advisor to Eagle Company. "These students have volunteered to endure the countless early morning physical fitness sessions, many weekend leadership training events during the sometimes extreme Iowa weather, and have earned the privilege and been groomed to respect and honor the great responsibility of becoming the leaders of our sons and daughters in the ever-changing and often dangerous Current Operational Environment found in today's army."
Cadets being commissioned are: Kelly Frommelt, Medical Services Corp - Active Duty, a University of Dubuque biology major, daughter of Michael and Stefanie Frommelt of Dubuque, Iowa; Detlef Loyd, Signal Corp - US Army Reserve, a University of Dubuque computer information systems major, son of Phillip and Sigried Loyd of El Paso, Texas; Keily Sasano, Ordnance - Active Duty, a University of Dubuque environmental science major, daughter of Glen and Keily Sasano of Mililani, Hawaii; and Andrew Tindall, Infantry - Iowa National Guard, a University of Northern Iowa criminology major, son of Steve and Ilene Tindall of Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Keynote speaker, Major General (Ret.) Robert Felderman, honorably served our nation in the Army -Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, retiring in 2010 as a Major General. His career culminated as a Joint Qualified Officer, qualified in Infantry, Armor, Cavalry, Medical Service Corps, Aviation and Strategic Plans & Operations. His 36-year career included over 10 years of active duty military and mobilizations with over 20 years flying more than 2,200 flight hours and a final rating as Master Army Aviator in helicopters.
General Felderman received a bachelor of science degree in aviation management and flight operations from the University of Dubuque; a legislative affairs certificate from George Washington University (Washington, DC); and a master's degree in national security strategy from National Defense University (Washington, DC). While serving our nation, he earned the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, and many others. His civilian awards include the Iowa Association of REALTORS Gold Achievement and Good Neighbor Awards, the National Defense University Writing Award, the National Guard Association of the United States Distinguished Service Award, the Governor of Iowa Volunteer Award, the Army Aviation Association of America Order of Saint Michael, the Iowa National Guard Officer Association CW4 Bruce A. Smith Superior Achievement Award, and he is an inductee of the Fort Benning Infantry School Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame.
Felderman is a published author and photographer in numerous local, state and national publications and web pages. His efforts include an interview inRolling Stone Magazine and articles in The US Army and the Interagency Process: Historical Perspectives and High Frontier Magazine for Air, Space and Missile Defense Professionals. He is currently a press photographer and columnist for the web based Dubuque 365 Regional Network, and writes both a travel and policy column for the Julien's Journal Magazine of Dubuque, Iowa.
The Army ROTC program's primary purpose is to develop leaders through classroom study, hands-on-training, and team building exercises. Students gain the leadership skills necessary to succeed in both civilian careers and in the military. A values-based program, ROTC focuses on integrity, personal courage, respect, and honor as the basic foundation upon which successful and competent leaders are built.
