The Joint ROTC Commissioning Ceremony honored 30 graduates May 15 in Stewart Theatre who received commissions from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.

Among the distinguished faculty at the ceremony was Chancellor Dr. William R. Woodson, who welcomed the crowd of family, friends and graduates. ”The ROTC program here is world-renowned. We are very proud of all of these officers that have walked through these halls,” Woodson said. Among the newly commissioned officers were graduates Megan Bittner and Karen Achtyl, two of the first female Naval ROTC members selected for submarine duty. The Navy lifted the ban on women serving on submarines April 29 after Congress took no action to stop the move during its 30-day session. Bittner and Achtyl interviewed for selection for submarine duty in Washington, D.C. May 3 and found out the same day they had secured appointment. ”We had quite an interview process. This past fall there was talk about women being allowed [on submarines], but it was more like rumors,” Bittner said. “I put my name on a shortlist; I went to D.C. to interview. They wanted to make sure this is what I really wanted to do.” Bittner said while many people in the Navy see the new opportunity for women as a good thing and are encouraging, there will always be those who disapprove. But before being assigned to an actual submarine, Bittner and Achtyl, as well as the other officers assigned to submarine duty, will undergo about 18 months of nuclear power school. ”We have a year of nuclear power school. The last six months is hands-on and there will be three months of sub school,” Bittner said. Wylie Bullock, graduate and newly commissioned Army second lieutenant, said ever since he started exploring what he wanted to do in life, the Army was it for him. ”At this point it’s surreal. I found myself the last couple of days referring to myself as a cadet,” Bullock said. “I feel honored.” Martin Newton, also a newly commissioned Army second lieutenant, said he has been in the Army since 1994, but feels graduation and his commissioning has been his greatest military accomplishment so far. ”I’m proud to get my degree from N.C. State. I hope I can follow along the line of good leaders that have come before me at State.” Achtyl credits the ROTC program for helping her become the officer she is today. ”I really like the ROTC program; it’s a difficult program,” Achtyl said. “I’m excited about today – I graduated!” Bittner agreed, and said while the program has been challenging and a serious time commitment, the whole experience has been great. ”It’s been a lot of excitement and encouragement,” Bittner said. “I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.”