KNOXVILLE — Col. Robin Akin, the first former University of Tennessee female cadet to be selected for the rank of brigadier general, will return to campus on Friday, Dec. 11, to commission two current ROTC cadets as second lieutenants in the Army.
Akin also will speak during the ceremony, which will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom. The event is open to the public.
“There are only 22 female general officers in the entire Army, and Col. Akin’s selection is a significant achievement for her, UT and our ROTC program,” said
Lt. Col. Dave Leach, professor of military science and leadership.
The commissioning ceremony marks the end of cadets’ progression through the ROTC program and the beginning of their careers as Army officers. At the ceremony, Cadet Carly Berner of Media, Pa., and Cadet Zachary Schrandt of Sevierville will take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and enter the Army as second lieutenants. The two cadets also will be commissioned at the university-wide commencement on Dec. 13.
Akin was born in Nashville. She is a 1982 UT graduate and has a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University and a master of strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Upon graduation from UT, she was as a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps. Her military schooling includes the Quartermaster Officer’s Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School, Parachute Rigger Course, Jumpmaster Course, Logistics Executive Development Course, Support Operations Course, Command and General Staff College and Armed Forces Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. She has received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Southwest Asia Battle Streamer. She holds the Master Parachutist Badge, Parachute Rigger Badge, Romanian and Germany Airborne Wings.
Assignments have taken her to Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Lee, Va.; Camp Smith, Hawaii; Korea; Germany; Southwest Asia and Iraq.
Akin is currently serving as commander, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Knox, Ky. In August, she was nominated for promotion to brigadier general.
—
C O N T A C T :
Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, amy.blakely@tennessee.edu)