Saturday, May 9, 2026 / 2:00PM / Hanner Fieldhouse
Sequence of Events
- Welcome
- National Anthem
- Invocation
- Guest Speaker – Brigadier General Sean Crockett
- Commissioning
- Army Song
- Conclusion
Brigadier General Sean Crockett
Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command
Brigadier General Sean Crockett is a 1995 graduate of Auburn University, where he received a Regular Army Commission. He is a graduate of the Chemical Officer Basic Course, Airborne Course, Chemical Captains Career Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Technical Escort Course, the Command and General Staff Officers Course (CGSC), and the Army War College. He has completed a Bachelors in Aviation Operations Management and Masters Degrees in Business Organizational Security Management and Strategic Studies.
He began his career on staff with the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Georgia and as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer for the 92d Chemical Company, 3rd Infantry Division. He then went to the Soldier Biological and Chemical Command (SBCCOM), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland where he served as an Aide-de-Camp for the Commanding General. After that assignment, he assumed Command of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Technical Escort Unit. He went on to serve on the Division Staff as the Deputy Division Chemical Officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and then transferred to the U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) Headquarters, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, where he served as the Deputy Chief, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Division.
Brigadier General Crockett held multiple positions in the newly established 20th Support Command CBRNE) and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as the Deputy J5 Science & Technology Officer and WMD Planner for Combined Joint Task Force Troy in Baghdad, Iraq. Additional assignments include service as a BN XO and S3, Fort Polk, Louisianna; Brigade S3 and DCO, Fort Hood, Texas; Commander, 23d CBRNE BN, Joint Base Lewis McCord, Washington. After command, he conducted tours at the Pentagon and Army War College before serving as the Assistant Commandant, U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) School and Commander, 3d Chemical Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He then served as the Chief of Staff, United States Security Coordinator, Jerusalem, Israel and the Full Dimension Protection (FDB) Division Chief in the Army G8. Brigadier General Crockett then served as the 32nd Chief of Chemical and Commandant of the USACBRNS at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence. His most immediate assignment was serving as the Deputy Commanding General of Operations for Eighth Army, including serving as Acting Commander for the last four months.
Brigadier General Crockett’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the German Proficiency Badge (Gold). He wears the Multi-national Corps Iraq as his Combat Patch.
Baylie Bialas
2LT Baylie Bialas is a green to gold ADO cadet from Elberton, GA. Prior to her time at Georgia Southern, she achieved the rank of SSG as a 68W at Fort Stewart, GA. She will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Interdisciplinary Studies from Georgia Southern – Armstrong Campus. Additionally, she earned the distinction of Distinguished Military Graduate and Distinguished Military Student. While at Georgia Southern, 2LT Bialas was a member of the Ranger Challenge and Color Guard teams. 2LT Bialas will commission Active Duty, Medical Services and serve at Camp Humphreys, Korea following training.
Jake Coulter
2LT Jake Coulter is from Richmond Hill, GA. He will graduate as a Distinguished Military Student with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. While a part of the Eagle Battalion, he was a member of the Color Guard team. He was also a recipient of the Hope Scholarship. 2LT Coulter will commission Active Duty, Medical Services and serve in the 8th Army at Camp Humphreys, South Korea.
Daniel Delo
2LT Daniel Delo is from Savannah, GA. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Arabic. While in ROTC, 2LT Delo was the captain of the Ranger Challenge team and a Color Guard team leader. He was also very active on campus, serving as the Georgia Southern pistol team captain, a member of the Arabic and Spanish clubs, an instructor for a rhythmic dance group, and an avid member of Baptist Collegiate Ministries. He was awarded the Norwegian Foot March Badge, Air Assault wings, Cadet of the Week, and received a ROTC Scholarship, Kalam wa Law study abroad scholarship, Project Global Officer study abroad scholarship, and the HOPE Scholarship. 2LT Delo will commission Active Duty, Infantry, detailed to the Signal Corps..
Meckli Evans
2LT Meckli Evans is from Kathleen, GA. She will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and was designated as a Distinguished Military Student. 2LT Evans was the recipient of a ROTC Scholarship and the HOPE Scholarship. 2LT Evans will commission Active Duty, Military Police Corps and will serve at Fort Carson, Colorado following training.
Caleb Hamilton
2LT Caleb Hamilton is from Ludowici, GA. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. While at Georgia Southern, he was active in Color Guard, Southern Hospitality Club Vice President, Southern Leaders, flag football and softball intramurals. He was a recipient of the HOPE scholarship, and a 3-Year ROTC scholarship. 2LT Hamilton will commission Reserve Duty, Chemical Corps.
Heidi Nelson
2LT Heidi Nelson is from McDonough, GA. She will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Business Management. 2LT Nelson was also recognized as a Distinguished Military Student. She joined the Eagle Battalion with the HOPE Scholarship and a 3.5-Year ROTC Scholarship. While here, she served as Treasurer for Cadet Association and was a member of Phi Eta Sigma. 2LT Nelson will commission Active Duty, Adjutant General.ransportation.
Oluwafemi Ogungbenle
2LT Oluwafemi Ogungbenle is from Denver, CO. He joined the Eagle BN through the Active Duty Green to Gold option at the Armstrong Campus. He previously served as a 92F petroleum supply specialist and achieved the rank of SSG. While in the Eagle Battalion, he participated in the SAVCO Color Guard and served as the Armstrong Campus Cadet Association representative. He will graduate with a Master’s of Business Administration and commission Active Duty, Military Intelligence.
Dayton Peterson
2LT Dayton Peterson is from Watkinsville, GA. He will graduate Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. 2LT Peterson was a part of the Ranger Challenge team at Georgia Southern. He was the recipient of a 3AD ROTC Scholarship and the HOPE Scholarship. 2LT Peterson was awarded the Recondo badge at Cadet Summer Training and will commission Active Duty, Field Artillery. He will serve in the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska following FABOLC and Airborne School.
Emmanuel Pope
2LT Emmanuel Pope is from Atlanta, GA. While in the Eagle Battalion, he participated on the Color Guard team and served in the Georgia Southern National Guard Detachment. He was a recipient of the HOPE Scholarship. He will commission Active Duty Field Artillery, detailed to the Adjutant General branch and will serve in the 1st Armored Division following training.
Myron Rodriguez-Mazareigos
2LT Myron Rodriguez- Mazareigos is from Calhoun, GA. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. 2LT Rodriguez was a part of the Ranger Challenge team, Georgia Southern Running Club, and the Georgia Southern ROTC National Guard Detachment. 2LT Rodriguez- Mazareigos will commission Active Duty, Armor and will serve in the 1st Armored Division following training.
Samuel Schwertfeger
2LT Samuel Schwertfeger is from Augusta, GA. He was recognized as a Distinguished Military Student and will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with Cybersecurity Certificate. 2LT Schwertfeger was a part of the Color Guard team and the Georgia Southern ROTC National Guard Detachment. 2LT Schwertfeger was a recipient of a GRFD ROTC Scholarship, HOPE Scholarship, and Cone Scholarship. 2LT Schwertfeger will commission into the Alabama National Guard as a Cyber Officer.
Walker Smith
2LT Walker Smith is from Milledgeville, GA. He will graduate Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and earned the distinction of Distinguished Military Student. 2LT Smith most recently served as the BN S3 and OIC of the Ranger Challenge team. 2LT Smith was a recipient of a 4-Year National ROTC Scholarship. He will commission Active Duty, Infantry and will serve in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy following training at Fort Benning, GA.
Joseph Suchan
2LT Joseph Suchan is a Green to Gold ADO from Spring Hill, FL. He formerly served as a 68W at Fort Stewart, GA and achieved the rank of SSG before attending Georgia Southern. He will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. He was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate and Distinguished Military Student. 2LT Suchan recently served as fall semester BN CDR. 2LT Suchan will commission Active Duty, Adjutant General and will serve in the 3rd Infantry Division following training at Fort Jackson, SC.
Kelci Thomas
2LT Kelci Thomas is from Columbus, GA. In the Eagle Battalion, he most recently served as the Color Guard commander and Operations Sergeant Major. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. He was awarded the HOPE Scholarship and a 3AD ROTC Scholarship. He will commission Active Duty, Logistics and serve in the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood following training.
Jordan Thompson
2LT Jordan Thompson is from Atlanta, GA. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. 2LT Thompson came to Georgia Southern through the Green to Gold program with a 3-Year Hip Pocket Scholarship. Prior to his time at Georgia Southern, he served as an 11B and 88M in the 82nd Airborne and 3rd Infantry Divisions, achieving the rank of Sergeant. While in ROTC, he was a member of the Ranger Challenge and Color Guard teams and participated in several intramurals. 2LT Thompson will commission Active Duty, Adjutant General and will serve in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC.
Lance Travis
2LT Lance Travis is from Augusta, GA. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He joined the Eagle Battalion as a Division Commander’s Green to Gold Hip Pocket Scholarship recipient. He served prior as a 25H, network communications specialist, in the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, achieving the rank of sergeant. He has been a part of the Eagle Battalion Color Guard and Ranger Challenge teams, the ROTC Immersive Cyber Education Program, and served as our most recent Eagle Battalion Commander. He is a recipient of the School Year 2025-2026 Top Eagle Award, Cadet Association Scholarship, Superior Cadet Award, MSG Christopher Decker Memorial ROTC Scholarship, German Armed Forces Military Proficiency Badge, and Air Assault wings. 2LT Travis will commission as an Active Duty Signal Officer. Following training, he will join the ranks of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY.
Kelan Williams
2LT Kelan Williams hails from Pelham, GA. He will graduate as a Distinguished Military Student with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While with the Eagle Battalion, he has been a part of the Ranger Challenge team and is now an alumni of Iota Phi Fraternity. He is a recipient of the Eagle Battalion’s 2025-2026 Top Nurse Award, COL Charles & Mary Collins ROTC Scholarship, 4-Year Minuteman National Guard ROTC Scholarship, Snag B. Johnson ROTC Scholarship, and the HOPE Scholarship. He will commission as a Nurse into the Georgia Army National Guard.
Sophie Williams
2LT Sophie Williams is from Canton, GA. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as a Distinguished Military Student. While in ROTC, 2LT Williams was a member of Cadet Association, Student Nurses Association, and Southern Eagles Archery. She was the recipient of a 3-Year ROTC Scholarship, the HOPE scholarship, and the ROTC Scholastics Medal. 2LT Williams will commission Active Duty, Nurse Corps.
Army Song
First to fight for the right,
And to build the Nation’s might,
And the Army goes rolling along.
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battle’s done,
And the Army goes rolling along.
Refrain:
Then it’s Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army’s on its way,
Count off the cadence loud and strong,
For where e’er we go,
You will always know
That the Army goes rolling along.