SC State Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion commissions four as 2nd lieutenants

Perseverance defined 2^nd Lt. O’Neil Bernard’s path to his commission.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — O’Neil Bernard wasn’t sure how much further he would go to become a commissioned U.S. Army officer after initially failing to complete Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 

He could have given up on trying to complete land navigation, confidence training and leadership development activities associated with advanced training, but he didn’t.

The fruits of his labor were displayed when he became one of four senior cadets in SC State’s Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion commissioned as second lieutenants during a ceremony held Dec. 10 in the Garnet & Blue Room of the Kirkland W. Green Student Center.

Failure builds character

The cadets went on to receive their academic degrees the following day during Fall Commencement.

“I’ve had a lot of trials and tribulations with failures along the way, so my story’s a little bit different from everyone else. I went to camp back in the summer of 2023. I failed and came back, got in shape and everything that I was supposed to do,” he said.

“I went back this past summer, the summer of 2024, passed with flying colors, passed everything that they threw at me. So the big word I’ll use is perseverance. It took a lot of perseverance and courage to get to where I am today,” Bernard said.

The Montego Bay, Jamaica, native said he felt great about finally reaching his goal of becoming a commissioned officer.

“I’m filled with excitement. I worked very hard to get to where I am. There were failures along the way, but I believe failure builds character,” he said.

Bernard said SC State prepared him for his next phase of life.

“I feel like SC State did a great job of preparing me. I’m definitely very thankful for my cadre. On the military side of things, they were the first role models to show us what life looks like. As far as my academics, I’m blessed to be graduating with a biochemistry degree and a GPA above 3.0,” he said.

“The advice I would give to the younger generation is to not let anyone else determine the outcome of your future. You have the power to control your future,” he said.

Future accountant

Newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Alexzandria Mickle of Charleston said she did a lot of growing along her journey, and she was excited to finally become an officer. 

“It means a lot to me because of the journey I’ve been on. I actually started at Albany State University with the Wildcat Battalion. I did not complete with that battalion. I ended up transferring over after I graduated to the Bulldog Battalion and have enjoyed this experience,” Mickle said. 

“I can say that myself as a cadet in 2021 is not the cadet/person that I am now in 2025. It means a lot to me, and I’m really excited about the journey I’m going on,” she said, noting that SC State prepared her to be able to face adversity.

“I will say my experience at South Carolina State has been very challenging academically. Adjusting to ROTC, especially as a graduate student, it’s a lot of trying times I’ve had, but I think it all prepared me to be going into this role as an officer and leading other soldiers,” Mickle said.

What message would she have for other young people?

“I would just tell them to keep going. Don’t give up on anything because I didn’t give up on my dream. I am very excited about this and I’m clearly here today. Pursue things that you want to do. Even if you don’t know if you really want to do it, still pursue it,” she said.

Mickle graduated with a master’s degree in business administration on Dec. 11 with a 3.7 GPA.

“I’m very proud. I’m an honor graduate. After graduation, I plan to go to get my doctorate in accounting,” she said.

The two other Fall 2025 ROTC Bulldog Battalion commissions were:

           2nd Lt. Treylen Robinson

           Commission: Reserve

           Branched: Quartermaster Corps

 

          2nd Lt. Mckenzie Zimmerman

           Commission: Army Reserve

           Branched: Ordnance Corps

 

Robinson received an agribusiness degree during the Dec. 11 Fall Commencement. Zimmerman received her degree in physical education activity management.

Lt. Col. Herbert Gamble Jr. delivered the keynote address during the commissioning ceremony.

The 2003 SC State graduate has served more than 20 years in the South Carolina Army National Guard in roles ranging from platoon leader and company commander to his current position as project manager for Command Post Modernization/Tactical Edge & Compute.

Gamble said the cadets would have to learn how to “see the bigger picture” in situations to be able to demonstrate the critical thinking and strategic planning that a good leader will need to execute.

“The Army is forever changing,” he said, but he praised the cadets for taking on the challenge of military service that many people would not be willing to take. 

“There’s nothing more noble,” Gamble said.