ROTC Nurses Receive Post-Graduation Assignments

Senior ROTC nurses recently received their active duty orders and are preparing for the next step in their lives. Carson-Newman Eagle Battalion has seven MS-IV, senior level nurses, that will be graduating this May. However, graduation is only the first step for them. Once they commission and graduate they will be starting their army and nursing careers all over the world. These cadets have been training through the ROTC program as well as their nursing major classes in order to be skilled Army nurses and soldiers. Among these are cadets: Lieutenant Coronel Adriel Schmitt (CNC Battalion Commander); Major Jenna Donahue (Executive Officer); Major Laura Kress (Training/Operations Officer); Captain Denise Ocanas (Personnel Officer); Captain Elise Bartram; Captain Jessica Fitzgerald and Captain Ashley Hall.

"I most look forward to seeing my fiancé" explained Donahue "as we're getting married once I move down there". She awaits her departure to San Antonio where she will begin her work shortly after marrying Second Lieutenant Leo Pacheco.

Also moving to San Antonio is Laura Kress who is also looking forward to reuniting with her fiancé, Second Lieutenant Kirby Watkins.

Jessica Fitzgerald and Elise Bartram will be completing their Officer Basic Course at Fort Houston before being stationed at San Antonio and Fort Hood respectively.

Ashley Hall will conduct her OBC at Ft. Sam Houston, TX and be stationed at Fort Gordon, GA as will Denise Ocanas.

"The nurses will undergo a 90 day Officer Basic Course before they begin their work at the hospitals" explains Mr. Schmitt, "the nurses will all serve in med/surge until they receive additional training in the area of their choice".

Mr. Schmitt and his wife, Kellee, will be moving to Longstool, Germany. Mr. Schmitt says that he feels his training at C-N has prepared him for this next step of his Army career.