2020 Military Science Graduates are Award Winners!

May 8, 2020
The highest national award presented to Graduating Seniors in ROTC classes is the Distinguished Military Graduate designation.

Even though 2020 U.S. Army Commissioning ceremonies will be mostly virtual, Spider Battalion Second Lieutenants-to-be were award winners this year, winning both local and national awards. 

The highest national award presented to Graduating Seniors in ROTC classes is the Distinguished Military Graduate designation. Distinguished Military Graduates are those who rank in the top 20 percent of Army ROTC graduates nationwide. On behalf of Major General John R. Evans, Jr, Commanding General, United States Army Cadet Command, this year’s Spider Battalion distinguished Military Graduates are: 

  • Cadet Maxwell W. Coleman, University of Richmond. (CDT Coleman ranked in the top 10% nationwide.)
  • CDT Dilwyn J. Piner, University of Richmond
  • Cadet Thomas D. Gorman, Hampden-Sydney College
  • Cadet German G. Salazar, Virginia Commonwealth University 

In addition, the department of the Army provides Army Top Cadet Awards annually to the most outstanding ROTC Cadet in each year of military science. Award winners receive an engraved plaque from the ROTC department. This year’s recipient of the Army ROTC Spider Battalion Top Cadet of the Year award is a senior from the University of Richmond, Cadet Maxwell W. Coleman.

The Distinguished Military Student awards are presented by LTC Cecil D. Stinnie, Program Chair to seniors who display outstanding qualities of leadership, high moral character, noteworthy academic achievement, and exceptional aptitude for Military Service.  This year’s A Company recipient of the Distinguished Military Student award is: Peyton Alexander Siddall – University of Richmond School of Law

Community Award Winners

The Spider Battalion holds an Annual Award Ceremony each April, to give their cadets an opportunity to be honored by their instructors, their peers and community and national organizations. This year’s undergraduate winners will have to wait until fall to receive their awards, however seniors will be presented their awards virtually during this time of social distancing and will receive their actual awards by mail later in the year. 

This year’s Community Awards to Seniors:

  • The American Legion Post #84. Gold Medal Award for General Military Excellence is presented to Cadet Natalie C. Bruhn of Virginia Commonwealth University.
  • The American Legion Post #84 Gold Medal for Scholastic Excellence Award is presented to Cadet Thomas D. Gorman of Hampden-Sydney College.

Winners of the American Legion awards must be in the top 10% of the class in academic subjects, in the top 25% of the class in ROTC classes, demonstrate qualities of leadership, and have actively participated in student activities.

  • Association of the United States Army General Military Excellence Award is presented to Cadet German G. Salazar of Virginia Commonwealth University.
  • Association of the United States Army Military History Award presented to Cadet Dilwyn J. Piner of the University of Richmond.

Formed in 1950, the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) is a private, non-profit educational organization with a mission to support America's Army - Active, National Guard, Reserve, Civilians, Retirees, Government Civilians, Wounded Warriors, Veterans, and their family members. 

Daughters of the American Revolution, Chesterfield Courthouse Chapter Award presented to Cadet Meredith F. Dougherty of VCU.

The Chesterfield Courthouse Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized on May 5, 2018. It is the newest chapter in Virginia, and is named for the 1749 Chesterfield Courthouse, which was the site of significant Revolutionary War activity. The Chesterfield Courthouse Chapter presents its Gold medal to an outstanding graduate of the ROTC program from VCU or VUU. 

The second group of Daughters of the American Revolution awards is presented by the Scotchtown Chapter of the DAR to Cadet Madison M. Strang and Cadet Charlotte M. Woods of Randolph-Macon College/University of Richmond.

The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit, non- political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education.

Requirements to be considered for this award include: must be in the top 25% of the Cadets in ROTC and academic subjects, and must have demonstrated qualities of loyalty, patriotism, dependability and good character, adherence to military discipline, and leadership ability. The Scotchtown chapter presents its awards to seniors at Randolph-Macon College. 

The Reserve Organization of America Gold Medal is presented to Cadet Connor J. Frascati of the University of Richmond.

Serving citizen warriors since 1922, the Reserve Organization of America believes the men and women who serve our nation in the cause of freedom deserve a voice in creating government policy. The winning Cadets have demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, moral character, and aptitude for future military service.