Bulletin News

05/13/2013 

A remarkable alumnus and New York Army National Guard colonel will give the keynote address at SUNY Cortland’s Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Commissioning Ceremony honoring two graduating members on Saturday, May 18.

Col. Carlton C. Cleveland II ’91 will recognize seniors John Carlisle and Adam Gonzalez for completing the Army ROTC program as they are commissioned to the rank of second lieutenant at 8 a.m. in the Professional Studies Building, Room 1166.

The ceremony is free and open to the public.

A recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Cleveland obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Cortland and also was commissioned through the College’s Army ROTC program.

Col. Carlton Cleveland II '91

Cleveland advanced his military and civilian education by earning a master’s degree in public administration from Marist College as well as a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.

He is currently the chief-of-staff of the guard’s 53rd Troop Command, headquartered at Camp Smith, near Peekskill. The 53rd Troop Command is responsible for the training and administration of 4,000 combat support and combat service support guardsmen across New York.

Cleveland recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan where he was responsible for training Afghan soldiers and police while serving with the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division. While in Afghanistan he also served as liaison officer to the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade.

The decorated colonel has received numerous military awards, including the Combat Infantryman Badge, Afghan Campaign Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Parachutist Badge, New York State Humanitarian Service Medal and New York State Defense of Liberty Medal with World Trade Center Device.

A native of Mount Vision, N.Y., he and his wife, Michelle Lukeman Cleveland ’90, also a graduate of Cortland, have two daughters, Catherine and Megan.

The fall 2012 semester marked the first time since 1993 for the College’s Army ROTC program to have a presence on campus. Successful completion of the four-year program results in a cadet being commissioned as a second lieutenant, a platoon leader in charge of 20 to 30 soldiers.

For more information about the Commissioning Ceremony, contact Kevin Swab, assistant professor of military science, at 607-753-2692.