- Posted in All University
- Category: Students
By Shelley Mix
For the first time in 15 years, a graduating Lincoln University student was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army through the Reserve Officer Training Corp.
Darius Braswell first heard about Lincoln from his uncle Van Braswell, a 1972 graduate. While Darius applied to several universities, his choice came down to Lincoln and a liberal arts college in Virginia.
“Despite the scholarship opportunities as an in-state Virginia resident, I chose Lincoln University for more than monetary consideration,” Braswell said. “I knew that Lincoln University was an HBCU, and it was important for me to indulge in a culture and institution that would educate from an African American inclusive curriculum.”
Braswell’s military and HBCU roots run deep. Braswell, who graduated from Colonial Forge High School in Stafford, Virginia, not only had his own military experience as a four-year participant in Junior ROTC, but he also had the example of his father, who is a retired major from the Army.
Darius’s brother, David Braswell Jr., is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta and Darius’s sister, Danielle, is an enlisted Air Force reservist.
Lincoln’s ROTC Program
Lincoln University is a partner institution of Host ROTC institution, which is the University of Delaware, however, Lincoln had been inactive as a partner institution for many years.
During Braswell’s freshman year, University of Delaware cadre member Major Noel Milian launched an initiative to bring Lincoln University back into active status. During this time all training including physical training, military science classes, and some recruiting events — with the exception of labs which were held at the University of Delaware — took place on Lincoln’s campus.
Since then, training has transitioned back to taking place at the University of Delaware.
“The exposure to other students, on almost a daily basis was great to keep perspective on the world and outside of Lincoln University,” Braswell said.
The only downfall of so much training time at Delaware was fuel costs and that the daily commute time shortened how long he could spend on either campus. Braswell’s costs were defrayed with the help of his three-year scholarship, which included tuition, fees and a stipend.
The process to get Lincoln’s ROTC program active again was arduous and required persistence for both Braswell and various Lincoln administrators including Dean of Students Lenetta Lee, Bursar Warren Johsnon and Registrar Cathie Rutledge.
“Darius is proof that hard work academically, mentally and physically pays off,” said Rutledge. “He had his education paid for, received leadership training and now has a guaranteed job as an officer after graduation. It doesn’t get much better than that. I am so glad he persevered as Major Milian and I resurrected the Army ROTC program.”
Milian noted Braswell’s respectful attitude and humility as defining characteristics.
“Darius showed a tremendous amount of initiative, drive and dedication during his time with the program, which allowed him to be assessed into the Active Duty Army,” Milian said. “Darius will be an outstanding Army Officer cut from the mold of a caring and compassionate individual.”
Braswell wants ROTC at Lincoln to flourish by expanding its ranks (currently there are only two other Lincoln ROTC students) and eventually having training moved back to campus.
“I had an awesome opportunity and every student at this university deserves the same opportunity,” Braswell said.
Future
Braswell, with his brand new political science degree, will join the Transportation Corps, serving first as cadre at Cadet Summer Training in Fort Knox, Kentucky. It will be his second time at Fort Knox; previously trained for two months at the post during the Leadership Development & Assessment Course. Upon completion of the Transportation Basic Officer Leader Course at Ft. Lee, Virginia, Braswell will be assigned at Seoul, South Korea, at a combat aviation branch to be determined.