On June 24, 2009, for the first time in recent history a Salisbury University student has been commissioned in the US Army as a Second lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).

Lt. Miguel Fragueiro, who just recently received his Master in Social Work from Salisbury University is the first cadet to be commissioned in Salisbury University’s new ROTC program since it left the school in 2003.

Twice the ROTC program has left Salisbury, and has just returned to the campus in the past academic year. Lt. Fragueiro met with Lieutenant Colonel Heidi Jensen and Master Sergeant Mark Kammer, two years ago to help bring the cross-town agreement between University of Delaware and Salisbury University. This cross-town agreement allows for the Salisbury students to participant in the University of Delaware ROTC program at Salisbury University.

Lt. Fragueiro not only succeeded in entering the ROTC program under this agreement, but brought the ROTC program back to Salisbury. Just this past year, through Lt. Fragueiro’s guidance as a cadet company commander for Bravo Company, the company that Salisbury University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore fall under, the ROTC department of Salisbury has nearly doubled in number of cadets. If it were not for Lt. Fragueiro’s work, Bravo Company and the ROTC department at Salisbury University might not even exist, nor would a new group of cadets soon to be lead by Cadet Cory Middleton.

Lt. Fragueiro’s achievement has brought military instructors back to the campus to teach these new cadets. Among the instructors, is assistant professor of military science and senior military science instructor 1LT David Engelman, a Salisbury Alumnus. While Lt. Engelman is one of the primary instructors that most cadets work with it is particularly moving as Lt. Engelman watches Lt. Fragueiro receive his commission, as Lt. Engelman was the last Salisbury Student to be commissioned in the ROTC program before it closed down.

As the last Salisbury ROTC graduate welcomes the graduate of the new ROTC program at Salisbury, the cadre and cadets look to the future of this program. With a growing staff and future cadre, MAJ Chuck Keen, Assistant Professor of Military Science, 2LT David Courter Gold Bar Recruiter and 1LT Engelman await another year of this challenging program, and some who are entering their last year work busily through the summer so they will be able to earn their bar of gold that signifies that they have earned the right to be called lieutenants in the US Army.

ROTC remains the primary source for all new lieutenants in the US Army and with the ROTC program at Salisbury University many new cadet will have a chance at a long and successful career in the US Army.