‘You’re part of the rich legacy’: SC State Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion commissions 17 as 2nd lieutenants

Cybersecurity major Micheal Chatman says Bulldog Battalion mentors helped pave the way to Army service. 

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Micheal Chatman is looking forward to preparing for his first assignments in the U.S. Army at Fort Lee in southeastern Virginia in May, a mission for which he will use the values he learned as part of South Carolina State University’s storied Bulldog Battalion. 

After completing the Logistics Basic Officer Leadership Course, or LOG BOLC, in Virginia, Chatman will also travel to Fort Drum in Jefferson County, New York, to complete his training as a newly commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army. 

He is prepared for the focus on leadership skills and military tactics his training requires. 

“All that’s going to occur in five months’ time, but throughout my experience in the Bulldog Battalion, everybody I’ve met has paved the way for me and kept me motivated and my perseverance up,” he said. “Honestly, that’s all there is to it.” 

Chatman was among the 17 senior cadets in SC State’s Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion commissioned as 2nd lieutenants during a ceremony held May 7 in the Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium. The ceremony was held ahead of the university’s Spring Commencement ceremony on May 8, when the cadets went on to receive their academic degrees. 

Chatman, a cybersecurity major from Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, said receiving his pin during the ceremony was humbling. 

“I worked long hours, long nights for this. It’s a long time coming. I’ve met a lot of good people. I couldn’t have done this without my mentors, mentees and the leadership of the Bulldog Battalion,” he said. 

Chatman said staying humble, persistent and faithful to God helped him along his journey.   

“Having faith in God was most important above all, along with the support of family and friends. I had faith in the end and that perseverance to power through. You’ve just got to dare to achieve,” he said. 

Leading with honor, purpose 

2nd Lt. Chancellor Chavous of Frankfort, Kentucky, majored in business management during his time at SC State and gave remarks during the ceremony. 

“Today is not just an individual accomplishment. It is a shared victory for every person here today. As we commission into the United States Army, we understand that today is more than receiving a gold bar,” Chavous said. “Today represents accepting a responsibility to lead soldiers with professionalism, humility, courage and selfless service.” 

He said he and his fellow cadets were prepared to demonstrate the excellence and commitment that good leadership requires. 

“No matter where our careers take us, we will always share the experience of beginning this journey together. We now become part of something greater than ourselves -- a legacy of leaders committed to serving our nation,” Chavous said.  

He thanked the cadets’ family members and friends gathered at the ceremony for their support, as well as Lt. Col. Quinton F. Benjamin, professor of military science at SC State.   

“We truly appreciate the mentorship, leadership and guidance you have provided. Your impact on this class will never be forgotten,” Chavous said.   

2nd Lt. Imani Sibbaluca of Columbia, South Carolina, majored in chemistry at SC State and plans to attend pharmacy school after completing her Basic Officer Leadership Course. 

She was proud to receive her pin during the May 7 ceremony. 

“It just means a lifetime of leadership, integrity and bringing soldiers along to live the Army values. It’s been a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifices, and I’m glad to be here today to get my rank as a 2nd lieutenant,” Sibbaluca said. 

She said SC State prepared her for success. 

“It’s really the Bulldog Battalion. They taught me a lot about leadership. They taught me how to be disciplined. So, with the discipline and the leadership skills, it really helped me prepare for any future endeavors,” Sibbaluca said. 

The 14 other Spring 2026 ROTC Bulldog Battalion commissions were: 

• 2nd Lt. Zyon Addison

Commission: National Guard | Branch: Adjutant General Corps

• 2nd Lt. Zyon Addison 

Commission: National Guard | Branch: Adjutant General Corps 

• 2nd Lt. Teonna Bethea 

Commission: Active Duty | Branch: Chemical/Adjutant General Corps 

• 2nd Lt. Jaylin Burson 

Commission: Army Reserve | Branch: Chemical Corps 

• 2nd Lt. Destiny Manigault 

Commission: Army Reserve | Branch: Military Police Corps 

• 2nd Lt. Jorden Miller 

Commission: Army Reserve | Branch: Logistics 

• 2nd Lt. Makayla Walker 

Commission: Active Duty | Branch: Logistics 

• 2nd Lt. Xavier White 

Commission: Active Duty | Branch: Signal Corps 

• 2nd Lt. Shamaya Fleming 

Commission: Active Duty | Branch: Medical Services 

• 2nd Lt. Isaiah Johnson 

Commission: Army Reserve | Branch: Medical Services 

• 2nd Lt. Elijah Ellis 

Commission: Army Reserve | Branch: Signal Corps 

• 2nd Lt. Jasmine Simmons 

Commission: National Guard | Branch: Logistics 

• 2nd Lt. Princess Tisdale 

Commission: National Guard | Branch: Unassigned 

• 2nd Lt. China Yates 

Commission: Army Reserve | Branch: Military Police Corps 

• 2nd Lt. Shamirra White 

Commission: Army Reserve | Branch: Chaplain Corps 

Speaker emphasizes character, leadership 

Col. Samuel B. Glover II served as featured speaker during the ceremony. Glover currently serves as the senior adviser for Resource Management Directorate, or G8, at the Army Materiel Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. 

The Army Materiel Command is the Army’s leading command for global sustainment and logistics operations, executing an annual budget of more than $55 billion. During 30 years of active duty and reserve service, Glover has served in a variety of military assignments. 

“All of that started right here at South Carolina State,” said Glover, who was commissioned as an aviation 2nd lieutenant with a business degree from SC State in 1995. 

He stressed the importance of competence, character, communication, connections and compassion in the development of leaders the U.S. Army would need. 

“You have a great legacy; you have a great institution. Use that, lean on it. It’s here. Use those positive things to set your career up for success,” Glover said. 

“It’s not just about leadership. It’s about those Army values. It’s not about just that leader having them, it’s about you having them. It’s about maintaining them. It’s about your soldiers having them,” he said, noting that loyalty, respect and honesty were among them. 

He said being able to effectively communicate with, for example, their first platoon of soldiers would be key, along with developing a strong network of people with whom to surround themselves. 

“Think about that network and how you leverage that network. People matter, connections matter. Be able to maintain the network. 

“You also need a spiritual network. I want you to make sure that you have a connection with your God. I know I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for people praying for me, but also my own personal relationship with the Big Guy,” Glover said.   

He said showing compassion for others also would be key to being a good leader. 

“I’ve had people who have slammed the book whether it was on me or someone else. Treat people the way that you want to be treated. That always starts with looking at the person in the mirror,” Glover said. 

“You’re part of the rich legacy … and I’m just so very excited that as I end my journey, you will be part of this great institution’s long, rich journey,” he said. 

SC State President Alexander Conyers, a retired U.S. Army colonel, was among those who also spoke at the commissioning ceremony.   

“Thirty-seven years ago, I stood on this same stage. My mom and dad from Manning, South Carolina, beamed so proudly when they pinned those 2nd lieutenant bars on me,” the president said. “I’m so happy that all of you are here today, and I’m just so proud.”