December 7, 2023

In a ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 7, Columbus State University’s Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or ROTC, battalion commissioned two of its cadets as the newest second lieutenants of the U.S. Army. The CSU ROTC Cougar Battalion’s commissioning ceremony was part of the university’s Fall 2023 graduation events that included its three commencement ceremonies on Dec. 8 — during which these commissioning cadets also received their academic degrees.

During the ceremony, each new second lieutenant received their gold bar, pinned on by family and friends, and marking their commissioning. Following that, each received their first salute—an acknowledgment of the respect now due the newly minted officer. The tradition is known as the “Silver Dollar Salute,” as it includes a coin exchange between the second lieutenant and the service member rendering the first salute as a symbolic request to be trained and mentored by a professional man-at-arms.

The “Silver Dollar Salute” is a custom thought to pre-date the formation of the U.S. armed forces — going back to British regiments. Authorized by the U.S. Congress on April 2, 1792, the silver dollar traditionally is the only coin given in exchange for the first salute. The coin represents more than a dollar in currency and soon-to-be lieutenants go to great lengths today to secure their “silver” dollar.

This spring’s class of commissioned second lieutenants included:

2nd Lt. Taeler Helene Doyle

2nd Lt. Doyle was pinned by her parents Nerissa and Staff Sgt. Michael Doyle. She received her first salute from her father. Doyle graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and commissioned with the U.S. Army Active-Duty Medical Service Corps. She hopes to continue her studies in psychology and to eventually become a clinical psychology in the Army.

2nd Lt. Jade Shari Garner

2nd Lt. Garner was pinned by her mother Sherri Garner and brother Evan Garner. She received her first salute from her father, Command Sgt. Maj. Derrick Garner. Garner graduates with a bachelor’s degree in biology and commissioned in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. She hopes to continue her biomedical studies with a focus on nutrition and dietetics and to eventually become a registered dietitian nutritionist in the Army.

ABOUT THE ROTC COUGAR BATTALION

Columbus State’s ROTC program dates to 1972, when the U.S. Army designated then-Columbus College as an ROTC host institution. In 1973, CSU’s ROTC Department authorized its distinctive unit crest, modeled after the official seal of Columbus College with the motto “Primus Inter Pares” or “First Among Equals.” The battalion later adopted its name from the school’s mascot and today is known as the Cougar Battalion.

In June 1974, the battalion commissioned its first 12 ROTC graduates, and since then, CSU’s ROTC program has grown in both size and reputation. Over the last 50 years, the Cougar Battalion has commissioned over 650 officers and is recognized as one of the strongest units in the U.S. Army Cadet Command.

The battalion is currently under the leadership of Lt. Col. Michael J. Rybacki, its professor of military science who assumed command in August 2022.

For more information about Columbus State’s ROTC Cougar Battalion, or to explore ways to benefit from adding ROTC participation while a Columbus State student, visit columbusstate.edu/rotc/. 

Media contact:
Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu