Bulldog Battalion commissions 9 as 2nd lieutenants

Although Corey Meggett took a semester of JROTC instruction in high school, he focused his energies on sports rather than staying in the program.

But once he enrolled at South Carolina State University, a conversation with Lt. Col. Antonio Pittman, the university’s professor of military science, changed his perspective about military service and ROTC.

“He asked me, ‘Why not join?’ If I didn’t like it, I could get out, but I should at least give it a try to see where it takes me,” Meggett said. “Since I joined, I love it.

“Ever since I joined the program, I’ve seen my discipline elevate. Everything about me has gone up. I’ve got nothing but great things to say about it,” he said.

The Lexington resident was one of nine senior cadets SC State’s Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion commissioned as second lieutenants on May 9, ahead of receiving their degrees the following day at Spring Commencement.

2nd Lt. Corey Meggett receives his first salute from a non-commissioned officer, Master Sgt. Stephen Botehlo, SC State senior military science

Meggett received his degree in electrical engineering technology, which he hopes to eventually put to use in the Army. His first assignment will be in field artillery, but he hopes to soon transfer to the Army’s engineering corps. Once he completes his military obligation, he will fully explore an engineering career.

“Right now, my plan is to complete my time and then get back to my degree and see where it takes me,” Meggett said. “I’m the first engineer in my family, so I just want to dive into it.”

2nd Lt. Breanna Calhoun is pinned by her parents.

Future physician

Newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Breanna Calhoun, a Columbia resident, also got her first military experience in JROTC in high school, but she spent all four years in the program. Her instructor inspired her to pursue ROTC in college.

“I did not come from that background,” Calhoun said. “I’m a first-generation college student, and there is little to no military in my family. My mom and dad are both prior law enforcement. They both served about 25 years as police offers.”

Having received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, Calhoun’s next step will be in the Army’s Interservice Physician Assistant Program. Her long-term goal is to be a physician.

“I want to specialize in dermatology or pediatrics at some point, but my goal is to definitely go into the medical field and use the Army as an asset,” she said. “I want to stay in the Army as long as I can. If I am able to contribute, be a leader and act as a role model for individuals in the Army, I will stay as long as I’m needed.”

Calhoun served as the Bulldog Battalion’s executive officer her senior year at SC State, which offered her valuable experience in group dynamics and leadership.

“It was a challenge to mix in with all the different personalities in a plethora of cadets,” she said. “Sometimes, the roles and responsibilities are very demanding while being a full-time student, so there were a lot of struggles that came along with it.”

Calhoun also had good things to say about Pittman’s leadership of the Bulldog Battalion.

“He keeps it straight with you,” she said. “He’s very straight to the point, but he also is like a father figure to most of us, and he helped us with our matriculation through the program and throughout our collegiate experience.”

 For more information about the Bulldog Battalion and the Military Science Program, visit www.scsu.edu/military_science.