CU ROTC programs commission next generation of military leaders
The University of Colorado Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program recently hosted commissioning ceremonies to officially appoint 53 CU ROTC cadets and midshipmen as military officers.
The ceremonies celebrated years of academic coursework, intensive military training, leadership growth and personal dedication as graduates swore the oath of office and launched careers in the armed forces.
CU remains the only university in Colorado to host ROTC programs representing the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force, continuing a longstanding tradition of preparing future military leaders through higher education and service.
Although CU Boulder is the host campus, its ROTC detachments draw students from institutions across the region, including two other CU campuses – CU Denver and UCCS – as well as Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado School of Mines and others through formal crosstown agreements. While they complete their academic degrees at their home campuses, students attend military coursework, leadership labs and training activities in Boulder.
Read more: Forging future leaders through service
Air Force ROTC Detachment 105
The Air Force ROTC Detachment 105 commissioned 30 second lieutenants this year, continuing its reputation as one of the nation’s largest and most distinguished Air Force ROTC programs.
U.S. Air Force Col. Rebecca Lange, Detachment 105 commander and professor of aerospace studies at CU Boulder, described this year’s class as representing determination, development and readiness.
“Their tremendous growth as humans and professionals stands out, especially considering many of them came in during the pandemic,” Lange said. “ROTC is a leadership development program, and we get to watch them transform from college students into leaders our nation can count on.”
U.S. Space Force Maj. Eric Skrla, the class’s senior-year instructor, said the cadets stood out for their camaraderie and willingness to grow through adversity and accountability.
“They became not just a class but a close-knit family, something I feel will serve them quite well on active duty,” Skrla said. The ROTC experience at CU prepares cadets for leadership by placing them in real-world leadership roles where they are challenged to adapt, recover from mistakes and lead under pressure.
“We challenge them to redefine what they think they are capable of and, most importantly, we take away the safety rails,” Skrla said. “Seeing how you react to failure and then recover from it in a controllable environment is an incredibly important and valuable learning opportunity that is rare to get at this, or any, stage of life.”
For the cadre, the commissioning ceremony symbolizes far more than graduation for the cadets.
“To us, the commissioning ceremony represents their transformation from college students into leaders that our nation can count on,” Lange said. “It means that four years of early mornings, the equivalent of an additional part-time job on top of everything else, and their commitment to one another was worth it.”
Watch: CU ROTC Cadre Video Feature
Army ROTC Golden Buffalo Battalion
The Army ROTC Golden Buffalo Battalion commissioned 11 cadets this spring.
U.S. Army Maj. Matt Chase, professor of military science and department chair, said this year’s class excelled through resilience and adaptability.
“Their eagerness to improve in the face of uncertainty and adversity has helped set the class of 2026 apart from other classes I have seen,” Chase said.
Throughout their ROTC experience, cadets balanced rigorous academic demands alongside military science coursework, leadership labs, physical training and field exercises.
“To achieve the balance of these sometimes-competing priorities, the cadets have had to display character, time management ability, communication skills, resilience, intellect and a myriad of other attributes and competencies,” Chase said.
Chase hopes the newly commissioned officers will drive positive change within their units and communities.
“Commissioning represents an incredible commitment to service when they take the oath of the commissioned officer, displaying a willingness to serve the nation,” he said.
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps
The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit commissioned 12 officers this year, including seven second lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps and five ensigns in the U.S. Navy.
According to Marine Officer Instructor and U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Brendan MacVarish, this year’s class was unique because of its unusually small size and outsized leadership role within the battalion.
“This year’s commissioning class had a large amount of leadership and responsibility to be the seniors for such large classes below them,” MacVarish said. “They have certainly left their mark on our NROTC unit, and their impact and influence will be strongly felt for the years to come.”
As the newly commissioned officers begin assignments around the world, MacVarish said he hopes they remain committed to serving others.
“So long as they continue to commit themselves to the servant-leader mindset, their impact will be a lasting one,” he said.
As this year’s commissioned officers embark on their military careers worldwide, they depart CU with not only degrees and rank but also the skills and values gained through sustained leadership training, academic challenge and service.
CU’s ROTC programs empower graduates to lead with integrity and resilience, committed to serving country and community.
For more information on CU ROTC Programs, click below:
CU Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps