Maj. Gen. Brian E. Alvin
Friday’s NIU ROTC Huskie Battalion’s Commissioning Ceremony features guest speaker Maj. Gen. Brian E. Alvin (’84), the most senior ranking U.S. Army officer from NIU.
Alvin received his B.S. in Industrial Engineering Technology from NIU and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Chemical Corps in May 1984.
His distinguished military career includes command and leadership assignments as Team Chief, Public Communications Team, 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, Abilene, Texas and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and, Commander, 413th Civil Affairs Battalion, Lubbock, Texas; and Commander, 645th Regional Support Group, Southfield, Michigan and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Alvin also holds an MBA from the University of Management and Technology, Arlington, Va.; and, a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, Carlisle, Pa. He is a Joint Qualified Officer whose awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Serve Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
“ROTC is honored to have MG Alvin at our winter commissioning ceremony. He continues to serve today and we can’t wait to see what accomplishments he has still has yet to achieve. We look forward to what words of wisdom he has to impart,” said Lt. Col. Karl M. Nilsen, chair of the NIU Military Sciences department.
Friday’s Commissioning Ceremony, 1 p.m., Sandburg Auditorium, celebrates the appointment of four NIU cadets as officers:
2nd Lt. Christian S. Gomoll, U.S. Army Reserves Branch: Medical Service
2nd Lt. Mhariel V. Pastrana, U.S. Army National Guard Branch: Quartermaster
2nd Lt. Neysra M. Rivera, U.S. Army Reserves, Adjutant General
2nd Lt. Benjamin J. Ziegler, U.S. Army Reserves Branch: Medical Service
