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Carroll ROTC commissions two new officers

Posted at 5:46 PM, May 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-10 19:46:05-04

HELENA – Family, veterans and military members gathered at the Capitol Rotunda on Friday to honor the work of two Carroll College graduates and commission them as new Army officers.

Jackson Marsh of Plentywood and Chase Eriksson of Salt Lake City were commissioned as Second Lieutenants for completing their ROTC training.

On Saturday, May 11, Marsh will graduate from Carroll College with a Bachelor’s in Biology and Eriksson will receive a Bachelor’s in International Relations.

Both newly-commissioned officers said they are thankful for being a part of ROTC.

“ROTC is almost like a family really,” said Eriksson. “Everyone is just kind of there for each other and it’s a lot of hard work but ultimately it’s fun.”

Eriksson played for the Carroll Men’s Soccer Team and will work on a Master of Business in Salt Lake. Eriksson will still drill with the Montana National Guard in the 495th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion based out of Kalispell.

Marsh, a former Carroll Football linebacker, will join the Idaho National Guard and attend Idaho State for Physical Therapy.

“It’s almost like a sports team,” said Marsh. “Any time I was feeling down or I wasn’t quite there, I always had somebody there picking me up and that was really the best part.”

Assistant Professor of Military Science Captain Mark Thompson said he’s proud of the soldiers Marsh and Eriksson have become.

“I’ve got to see the growth they’ve made from freshman cadets to now being officers. They’ve worked very hard and I’m proud of them,” said Thompson.

Erin Reich was also slated to be commissioned on Friday, but it postponed to July due to a knee injury preventing her from completing her final training.

Reich was a Carroll cheerleader and will graduate with a Bachelor’s in International relations.

-Reported by John Riley/MTN News