10 students standing with their hand up, taking an oath of office

This past week, 7 Navy option and 3 Marine option Beaver Battalion midshipmen were commissioned into the Navy and Marine Corps as Ensigns and 2nd Lieutenants. The event was held at the Learning Innovation Center (LINC) at 4:00 PM. It was also streamed live on Facebook and can still be viewed there. 

The guest speaker this year was CAPT Warren E. Sisson (RET.), Beaver Battalions' previous Commanding Officer. 

He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1996. Sisson's operational assignments include tours with Strike Fighter Squadron 192 (VFA-192) as a junior officer, and Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27) as a Department Head. He has completed eight deployments on USS Independence (CV 62), USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), and USS George Washington (CVN 73). Sisson has logged over 3,400 flight hours and has accumulated more than 840 carrier-arrested landings. He commanded Strike Fighter Squadron 115 (VFA-115). He completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase I through the Air Force Command and Staff College correspondence program. He graduated with distinction from the United States Navy War College, where he earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two Strike/Flight Air Medals, and other personal, campaign, and service awards. 

The NROTC Program was established to develop midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically; and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, loyalty, and the core values of honor, courage, and commitment in order to commission college graduates as naval officers. The program enables qualified young men and women to attain a college education leading to a commission in the Navy or Marine Corps and offers scholarship and non-scholarship opportunities for future Navy and Marine Corps officers.

Oregon States’ NROTC program is a leading commissioning source. We were one of the first units to commission women officers to serve on submarines. We commission Navy officers in all unrestricted line communities, including naval aviation, submarines, surface warfare, and naval special warfare. Marine option students commission in aviation, ground combat, and logistics.