FORT KNOX, Ky. – Advanced Camp 2nd Regiment Commission ceremony took place, June 29, at the Waybur Theater on Fort Knox, Ky.
The commissioning ceremony starts off with the Cadets marching up to the stage to be sworn in with the Oath for Commissioning Officers. After they finish the oath and they are sworn in the cadets march back to their seats where they begin the process of pinning the Cadets Gold bars, which represent the rank and position they received.
2LT Kevin Mallet returns his first salute as an Officer in the United States Army at the 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp commissioning ceremony. June 29, Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Amber Vincent)
By tradition the silver dollar is the only coin given in exchange for the first salute. To new officers it may represent the respect found in ones newly earned rank and position. The person receiving the silver dollar is a non-commissioned officer who has mentored the cadet through their training years. It is someone they look up too in their career.
The coin represents the deep-felt gratitude for this mentorship and lessons by the NCO on their 2nd Lt. before sending them out into the world to embark in the profession of arms.
Second Lieutenants normally lead a platoon size element (16-44) Soldiers. The rank of 2nd Lt. wasn’t an officially a rank until 1917. Before the rank was introduced it bore no insignia other than a brown sleeve braid on blouses and a hat cord for the hat. In todays commissioning ceremony the 2nd Lt. wear the Army Service Uniforms or ASU’s.
The then newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenants then are given their certificate along with a salute. They then are in a waiting period for orders of their new position and where it will be. Among these newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenants was Kevin Mallet.
Mallet has a different perspective on why he joined the Army along with his brother Xavier Mallet, “we both joined for similar reasons, the Army’s isn’t just a job, or a profession, it’s a calling. We love this country and we love to serve,” said 2nd Lt. Kevin Mallet, University of North Georgia, Blacksburg, VA.
“The Army has always been family to me and my brother, our parents are military. I’ve also been traveling with the military for a while now, it’s my place to be and I should stick to where I fit,” said Cadet Xavier Mallet, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
Cadet Kevin Mallet, Univeristy of North Georgia, is commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army at the 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp commissioning ceremony. June 29, Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Amber Vincent)
The Mallet brothers are not the only Army Soldiers in the family either, their mother Col. Donna Mallet U.S. Army, their Father is Lt. Col Philippe Mallet in the French Army, and their two older sisters are both 1st Lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
Xavier Mallet the younger brother, is going through the same experience his brother went through, Xavier is Advanced Camp 5th Regiment and is about half way through his training. Xavier Mallet was able to be taken out of his training to attend his brothers Commission ceremony along with pinning his gold bars on.
“It was tough to get him out here, I’m very proud that he was able to make it, unfortunately the rest of my family was unable to attend, but I’m greatly humbled that Xavier was here for this very important day,” said Kevin Mallet.
“It was a special moment because for a long time we both have been Cadets at the same time, now I’m seeing the actual transition to officership; it was a pretty important moment,” said Xavier Mallet. “It motivated me to push through this camp, its not always fun but it’s a great learning experience and training experience.”
Kevin Mallet talked about becoming a leader in the Army.
Col. Gery B. Cummings presents the commissioning certificate to 2LT Kevin Mallet at the 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp commissioning ceremony. June 29, Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Amber Vincent)
“Stepping onto Fort Knox I wasn’t sure about being a leader but now having gone through the month of training and talking to some cadre I defiantly feel prepared to take on the responsibility of a 2nd Lt.,” said Kevin Mallet. “It definitely humbled me, I came in a little too sure of myself and then I realized that I didn’t know everything and still had some learning to do.”
The most important thing Kevin Mallet learned at Cadet Summer Training. “Basically never giving up, and always push forward,” said Mallet.
Cadet Summer Training will bring 8,200 Cadets through Basic and Advanced Camp this summer on Fort Knox. These camps are designed to help challenge, grow and improve various skills and leadership qualities within the Cadets. If you think you have what it takes to be a Cadet or if you are interested in a job after college, click the following link:
https://my.goarmy.com/info/form/GetBrcFormRedirectByUrl.action?url=/info/rotc1/index.jsp
