AP
Austin Peck
  • Class of 2012
  • Highbridge, WI

Austin Peck Receives Commissions at ROTC Spring Ceremony

2012 May 9

The cadets and cadre of the Northwoods Battalion of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) will hold a Spring Commissioning Ceremony on May 13 at 2 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom in the Memorial Student Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. A small reception will follow at 2:40 p.m.

Four UW-River Falls cadets will receive commissions at the event:  Austin Peck, Noah Halverson, Taylor Lau, and Kristin Glanz.

Peck is an agricultural business major from Ashland. Upon commissioning, Austin will become an infantry officer in the Wisconsin National Guard as part of Delta Company 1-128th Infantry. He will attend Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Benning, Ga.

"ROTC has enhanced my career by commissioning me as an officer in the army," says Peck. "Just from ROTC I have made many steps to starting a successful career."

Halverson is a business administration major from Esko, Minn. Upon commissioning, he will become an armor officer in Charlie Company 2-136th Armor in the Minnesota National Guard. He will attend Basic Officer Leadership Course for at Fort Benning, Ga.

"ROTC has taught me to test my personal limits and to always strive to push the boundaries of what I believe I can achieve," Halverson says. "It has developed my leadership abilities, which will help both in the military and in the business world."

Lau is a history major from Las Vegas, Nev. Upon commissioning, Taylor will become an Active Duty Air Defense Artillery Officer. She will attend Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sill, Okla. When asked about ROTC, Lau said "ROTC has allowed me to graduate college without debt, have a stable career right after graduation in May and has given me leadership skills that will translate from the military into the civilian world."

Glanz is a history and criminal justice major from Woodbury, Minn. Upon commissioning, she will become a transportation officer in the Minnesota National Guard in HSC 834 ASB 34th CAB. She will attend Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Lee, Va.

"ROTC as taught me to be confident in all I do and to teach others how to incorporate good leadership qualities into everyday life," Glanz says.

The Northwoods Battalion of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps serves students at UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire, and UW-Stout. To learn more about ROTC at UW-River Falls, contact Major Tabb Benzinger, assistant professor of military science, at tabb.b.benzinger @uwrf.edu.