2nd\u00a0Lt. Michael Schommer, a December 2019 graduate of the University of Guam\u2019s Army ROTC program who earned the nationwide Army ROTC honor of being a Distinguished Military Graduate, has continued to excel in the year following his graduation and commissioning.<\/p>\n
Between February and October, Schommer earned multiple distinctions while completing the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga., and the U.S. Army Ranger School.<\/p>\n
Schommer graduated first in his class during the 19-week Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, earning him the Army Commendation Medal from his infantry leaders. He shot \u201cexpert\u201d on his assigned M4 carbine rifle during the course and went on to complete the Bradley Leader Course, which equips leaders to effectively fight and maneuver Bradley Fighting Vehicles.<\/p>\n
He also earned the title of \u201cIron Man\u201d for being the most physically fit in his class.<\/p>\n
Finally, Schommer earned the Ranger Tab by completing the 62-day U.S. Army Ranger School, which is billed as \u201cthe Army\u2019s toughest course and the premier small-unit tactics and leadership school.\u201d He completed Ranger School events in the forests of Fort Benning, the mountains of Dahlonega, Ga., and the coastal swamp environment of Florida\u2019s panhandle at Eglin Air Force Base.<\/p>\n
\u201c2nd\u00a0Lt. Schommer didn\u2019t stop at just physical feats,\u201d said Lt. Col. Shaun S. Conlin, Schommer\u2019s commander. \u201cHe also attained the highest GPA within his platoon and the company, earning him the title of Distinguished Military Honor Graduate for IBOLC Class 03-20. 2nd\u00a0Lt. Schommer\u2019s accomplishments bring great credit upon himself, the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, the University of Guam\u2019s ROTC program, and the United States Army.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schommer expressed gratitude to the ROTC staff at UOG for their guidance and support.<\/p>\n
\u201cI took a great deal of knowledge from what I learned at UOG and applied it toward this course. I\u2019m proud to say that I graduated from UOG and will be forever thankful for the ROTC cadre\u2019s hard work and dedication toward the cadets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schommer will now assume duties as an active-duty Mechanized Infantry Platoon leader in Fort Bliss, Texas, where he will be charged with leading 35\u201340 soldiers and noncommissioned officers.\u00a0(PR)<\/p>\n