From enlisted roots to officer’s role: SC State grad prepared to lead with insight and respect
Recently commissioned 2nd Lt. Kentuan Hicks steps into leadership with hard-earned experience and a soldier’s perspective.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Kentuan Hicks never liked getting dirty.
He didn’t enjoy field exercises, and he certainly didn’t expect to spend seven years in the Army.
So, on the day he earned his commission as a second lieutenant through South Carolina State University’s Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion, he called the moment “amazing.”
“It’s been a long journey – a very long journey,” Hicks said.
Hicks was among 11 members of the Bulldog Battalion – eight from SC State and three from neighboring Claflin University -- who made the transition from cadet to second lieutenant during the Spring 2025 Commissioning Ceremony at the I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium on Thursday.
On Friday, Hicks crossed the Commencement Stage in Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center to accept his degree in business management.
Originally from Newport News, Virginia, Hicks arrived at SC State with prior Army experience, including a tour at U.S. NATO in Brussels, Belgium. He said he found his way to SC State thanks to a mentor and family friend who was commissioned via the Bulldog Battalion.
“He highly recommended coming here,” Hicks said.
Before beginning his studies at SC State, Hicks already had donned an Army uniform. He enlisted after studying one year at Norfolk State University, when he and his parents agreed he needed more discipline and structure.
“I was very anxious, very nervous, very unsure that I would want to make it a career, let alone be in for seven years,” Hicks said. “It was the mentors that I had along the way at my first duty station in Georgia, Fort Benning, that kind of put me on that path.”
The Army afforded him the chance to see more of the world, which broadened his outlook.
“I would specifically say my time at Brussels, Belgium, was amazing,” Hicks said. “It gave me a different light into what the military can offer. It's not just being out in the field. It's not just the basic installation that you'll see stateside.
“It’s a big world out there,” he said. “It just gave me a lot of opportunities being over there.”
“The Bulldog Battalion is known for physical fitness,” he said. “So, the getting up at 5 in the morning and you're going for a run, you're going for a ruck, working out at the gym -- the physical fitness was a challenge at first.”
Hicks said the battalion’s expectation was not just to meet the Army’s physical standards, but to exceed them.
“They drove that home pretty hard, especially this year,” he said. “You can't lead soldiers if you're not at the front.”
He credits the Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion with helping him grow past his fears and discomfort.
“I’ve grown in that space,” Hicks said. “Being here has taught me to kind of get over my fears and being uncomfortable.”
He said he remained committed to finishing his education even after entering the Army. While on active duty, Hicks continued taking classes — earning an associate degree from Central Texas College before enrolling at SC State.
“I wanted more responsibility,” he said. “I picked up E6 (staff sergeant) in about four years. That just led me towards the officer route.”
His next assignment is at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) in Killeen, Texas. Hicks said his enlisted experience will shape his leadership style with the soldiers in his care.
“Being in their shoes, literally yesterday, I know how it feels,” he said. “I cannot only sympathize, but I can empathize. I think that puts me in a better position to be more empathetic -- to be a better leader.
“And above all else, it helps me to be a servant leader,” Hicks said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
For more information about the Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion and SC State’s Military Science program, visit www.scsu.edu/military-science.
The Bulldog Battalion’s Spring 2025 Commissioned Officers
2nd Lt. Cayin Sheldon Bryant Commission: Active Duty Branched: Adjutant General Corps Hometown: Summerville, South Carolina Major: Computer Science University: SC State 2nd Lt. Enyah Alayssia Dillard Commission: Active Duty Branched: Quartermaster Corps Hometown: Savannah, Georgia Major: Criminal Justice University: SC State 2nd Lt. Jordan Zenobia Hagood Commission: Active Duty Branched: Transportation Corps Hometown: Orangeburg, South Carolina Major: Criminal Justice University: SC State. 2nd Lt. Kentuan Mayinde Hicks Commission: Active Duty Branched: Adjutant General Corps Hometown: Newport News, Virginia Major: Business Management University: SC State 2nd Lt. Lashauna Tayisha Joseph Commission: Army Reserves Branched: Chemical Corps Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia Major: Chemistry (Pre-Med) University: Claflin 2nd Lt. Neill O’Conner Miller Commission: Active Duty Branched: Chemical Corps Hometown: Augusta, Goergia Major: Masters in Bio Technology University: Claflin 2nd Lt. Charles Christaine Oliver Commission: Active Duty Branched: Ordinance Corps Hometown: Manning, South Carolina Major: Mechanical Engineering University: SC State 2nd Lt. Sophia Isobel Mojares Papa Commission: Active Duty Branched: Chemical Corps Hometown: Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines Major: Physics University: SC State 2nd Lt. Zhania Myeshia Sims Commission: Army Reserves Branched: Military Intelligence Corps Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia Major: Criminal Justice University: SC State 2nd Lt. Tyriek Dezhan Thompson Commission: Active Duty Branched: Infantry Hometown: Wahiawa, Hawaii Major: Biology University: Claflin 2nd Lt. KeShunda Tiara Walker Commission: Active Duty Branched: Adjutant General Corps Hometown: Demopolis, Alabama Major: Business Management University: SC State