Commissioning ceremony welcomes new Army officer
Radford University’s Army ROTC commissioned 2nd Lt. James Michael Clatterbuck in a special ceremony on December 13, 2019 in Hurlburt Student Center.
Clatterbuck’s family attended the ceremony. His brother, Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Clatterbuck, who currently serves in the U.S. Navy, took leave in order to attend the commissioning ceremony with his family and in support of his brother.
Clatterbuck took the Oath of Office and was pinned by his father, mother and brother. His father, Ron Clatterbuck, is a veteran and served as Master Gunnery Sgt. in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“It means the world to me,” James Clatterbuck said. “Having my brother here and seeing my dad in uniform for the first time, I can’t be any more blessed.”
In commissioning ceremonies, it is a tradition that the newly-commissioned member of the military chooses the member of the military, active or retired, to give their first salute. Clatterbuck chose his father.
“This is the opportunity and privilege to be able to give back to our veterans and our country in the terms of taking care of our soldiers and service members,” said Clatterbuck, an Exercise, Sport and Health Education major. “When I joined ROTC, the discipline and the skills helped me with my academics as well. The experience at Radford was phenomenal.”
2nd Lt. Clatterbuck, who was born in Bethesda, Maryland and calls Front Royal, Virginia his hometown, is joining the U.S. Army as an active duty member of the Signal Corps and will attend the Signal Corps Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Gordon, Georgia.
From left to right: 2nd Lt. James Clatterbuck, Master Gunnery Sgt. (ret) Ron Clatterbuck and Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Clatterbuck.
Clatterbuck’s commissioning into the Signal Corps continues Radford University’s strong tradition of producing highly-qualified and well-trained members of the military. In September 2019, 2nd Lt. Sinclair Constantine Allen, of Haymarket, Virginia, was commissioned as an engineer in the U.S. Army Reserves.
In addition to celebrating the academic achievements of veterans, Radford University also strives to support veterans throughout their educational journeys and professional endeavors. Juan Martinez ’19, of Bath, Michigan, served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is now serving the community of Blacksburg, Virginia, by becoming a member of the Blacksburg Police Department. Martinez is also the first member of his family to graduate college.
Whether entering the military out of college or coming to Radford University following service to our country, Radford University is a place where cadets and veterans alike can embark on the next phase of their lives as leaders in the community and our country.