Upon being commissioned into the United States Navy and graduating from Ole Miss in May of 1975, Pruszenski was assigned to the USS Blandy (DD-943) where he spent time as an ASW Officer. One of his favorite sea stories was when his crew defeated a Los Angeles Class submarine in a major freeplay exercise in the Mediterranean. They hit the submarine 9 times before it shot anyone. This was a major feat for a surface ship as this was the most advanced class of submarine at the time!

After retiring from the Navy, Pruszenski worked for Michelin Tires Company for 32 years. Pruszenski recalled, "I was hired initially for cost reduction, and had a real flare for that, saving lots of money over several years. The discipline I learned and leadership skills helped my career immensely." At one point, he supervised 230 employees in the tire factory and was eventually the prototype manager. Additionally, he was involved in tire certification on new aircraft and travelled the western hemisphere serving his airline customers.

Midshipmen Change of Command Ceremony

Immediately following the awards ceremony, the Rebel Battalion conducted their Midshipman change of command ceremony, a military tradition that symbolizes the physical transfer of duties from one commander to the next. This change of command represents a turnover of every billet within the Midshipman chain of command, from the Operations Officer down to the Squad Leaders. Within the past few weeks, the Midshipmen have been undergoing the turnover process where each old member teaches the new member the ins and outs of how to be successful in the position so that the unit can hit the ground running in the Fall.

Left: MIDN 1/C Noah C. VanGorder is relieved of his command by MIDN 2/C Charles H. Reneau.

Ensign Joshua Brenc, USN

Ensign Brenc is the son of Gerald Brenc and Susan Ribordy - Brenc. He was born and raised in Wheaton, IL where he graduated from Wheaton North High School and became an Eagle Scout. He began his studies at The University of Mississippi in the fall of 2014 where he earned a Four-year National NROTC Scholarship at the end of his freshman year.

While in NROTC Ensign Brenc held multiple staff positions including Platoon Commander, Physical Training Instructor, and Special Operations Physical Training Instructor. A decorated Midshipmen, he was awarded with every NROTC ribbon possible, five times over. While attending Ole Miss Ensign Brenc played on the Ole Miss Hockey Team for three years and was an active member in Engineers Without Borders.

Ensign Brenc attended CORTRAMID West in San Diego, CA in the summer of 2016. He spent his 2/C summer cruise aboard the USS Connecticut (SSN-22) a Seawolf Class fast attack submarine as the crew conducted pre-deployment operations in the Pacific Ocean. The following summer, Ensign Brenc was selected to attend SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS) in Coronado, CA. In the fall of 2018, Ensign Brenc was selected for Naval Special Warfare.

Ensign Brenc commissioned with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Naval Science. He will report to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in Coronado, CA on June 19th, 2019 to begin Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training.

Second Lieutenant Linden Daniel Munro, USMC

Second Lieutenant Munro enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2011 where he received the Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) 5811 Military Police. His first duty station was with Second Law Enforcement Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. While there he was part of a Counter Drug Task Force from 2012 to 2013 for one year. Following this, he deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit between July 2013 to November 2014 while serving as Team Leader and Watch Chief.

Upon returning from Deployment, he filled the Company Training Chief Billet for Charlie Company from 2014 to November 2016. During his time, he obtained the secondary MOS 5816 Special Reaction Team and became a Non-Lethal Weapons Instructor. While filling this Billet he trained over 800 Marines in Non-Lethal Weapons, Site Exploitation, and Close Quarter Combat.

During his time with Charlie Company, He was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Educational Program and selected to attend the University of Mississippi in 2017 to receive a bachelor’s in psychology and a minor in Naval Science. While at the University, Second Lieutenant Munro has mentored and instructed the Midshipmen with the NROTC unit in which he taught them various Military and tactical knowledge. Second Lieutenant Munro will report to The Basic School, Quantico VA, on 10 June 2019, to be assigned a new Military Occupational Specialty.

Second Lieutenant Courtney Easterling, USMC

Second Lieutenant Easterling is the daughter of Angela Robertson, and was born in Flowood, MS. She graduated with honors from Germantown High School in Madison, MS, where she earned the four-year Marine Option scholarship. She began her studies at the University of Mississippi and the NROTC program in the Fall of 2015.

During her summers, she attended CORTRAMID East in Norfolk, VA, Mountain Warfare Training at Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, CA, and completed Marine Corps Officer Candidates School in Quantico, VA.

While in NROTC, she participated on the drill team all four years and competed in the Tulane annual drill meet for 2 of them. She has held numerous staff positions, including Marine Option Platoon Sergeant and Executive Officer. While attending Ole Miss, she has been a part of the Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship and the Women’s Rugby Club, where she served as Vice President for one year. She also assisted in teaching a self-defense class at the Turner Center and participated in several events with Rebels Against Sexual Assault.

Second Lieutenant Easterling graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Recreation Administration and a minor in Naval Science. Second Lieutenant Easterling will report to The Basic School, Quantico, VA, on 9 September 2019, to be assigned a Military Occupational Specialty.

Commissioning Guest of Honor

Thomas “Butch” Harris was born, raised, and spent his young years in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1965, at the age of 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps and went to boot camp at Parris Island. From there he received infantry and recon training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Afterwards, he left for Camp Pendleton for his assignment to the Special Operations Helicopter Command. While there, he helped develop extraction technologies which served him well for when he turned 18, he was assigned to the war zone in Vietnam.

He entered Vietnam in 1966 where he was part of the Third Force Recon as part of the Special Operations Squadron on helicopters. While assigned there, he served as a door gunner, crew chief, and recon patrol leader. During his time in Vietnam, he was injured on two separate missions, earning him two Purple Hearts. The first with a bullet piercing through the helicopter and injuring him and the second from a rocket explosion during the mission. Among his decorations are The Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal with 4 stars, Combat Action Ribbon Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Naval Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Expeditionary Force Medal, Two Marine Corps Meritorious Service Medals, Two Purple Hearts, and Two Bronze Stars with Valor. Sergeant Harris is a shining example of “once a Marine, always a Marine!”. He now spends much of his time visiting veterans at the Veterans Home, working with young Marine ROTC student. He also went to Washington to visit Mississippi elected leaders regarding veteran’s needs. He most assuredly epitomizes the Marine motto: Semper Fidelis, always faithful.