Military Academy: United States Military Academy 

Major: Nuclear Engineering

Hometown: Eureka Springs 

High School: Eureka Springs

What inspired you to follow a path of service to our nation? 

One of my earliest and most vivid memories is of my father coming home from Iraq. As a child, I was deeply moved by his dedication and the sense of purpose he embodied. Running through the woods, playing Army, and participating in Boy Scouts instilled a love for serving others and a commitment to my community. These experiences combined ignited a passion within me, and I knew from a young age that I wanted to dedicate my life to serving our nation.

There are several service academy options; what drew you to choose USMA?

My choice of the United States Military Academy was deeply influenced by my family's proud tradition of Army service, including my father, grandfathers, uncles, and godparents. For me, there was only one option that felt right. My desire to study nuclear engineering and contribute to initiatives like Project Pele, which focuses on microreactors, made USMA the perfect fit. The Academy offers unparalleled opportunities and resources that align with my aspirations, making it the ideal place to grow and serve.

What branch/service selection will you be joining upon graduation/ commissioning?

Infantry! Follow ME!

Where will your first duty station be? 

Fort Liberty, North Carolina 

Do you have a planned “first salute?” Who will it be? 

My first salute will be my godfather, who served in the 5^th Special Forces group. 

What is your favorite/most memorable moment from your time at the Academy?

My favorite memories come from the most challenging training, the end of long rucks, and the most strenuous workouts. One standout moment was during Cadet Leadership Development Training (CLDT). On the fifth day in the field, I had the opportunity to lead the defense lane as the platoon leader. With just five minutes to make a defensive plan with another platoon, we set into defensive positions and faced two attacking platoons for the next two hours. Exhausting every position in the training area, using every training round, grenade, and mock artillery, our defensive team "won" at the last defensive point. By the end, only 14 cadets remained on the defensive team out of the original 75. The experience was unforgettable, as everyone gave their all to the training, and I learned so much in such a short time, appreciating the camaraderie and dedication of my peers.

Looking back at your journey, what is one piece of advice you would give to others readying to walk into their first day at the Academy?

You can prepare for certain things, so do your best to prepare and understand the realities ahead. However, when the time comes, remember that your environment, upbringing, lack of sleep, or physical discomfort should never dictate who you become or how you treat those around you. Stay true to yourself and your values, no matter your challenges. 

Are you on a sports team, club, or part of any other extracurricular activity that you would like to highlight?  

Future Applied Systems Team: I was on the FAST team all four years. A relatively small team goes to Quantico every year to use research to implement technology on the squad level—the team's purpose is to research and develop technology in infantry platoons.

One notable event done every year is SWAT-C (learn more here)

In your opinion, what is the best MRE?

Tuna MRE is one of my favorites. The main entrée is not as good as others (such as southwestern-style beans and rice or chicken and noodles), but it reliably comes with crackers and pound cake. The balance of it is what makes it for me.

Who is a past or present military leader who inspires you?

One military leader who profoundly inspires me is Second Lieutenant Alexander R. Nininger Jr., a true hero whose bravery during World War II exemplifies the highest standards of service and sacrifice. Nininger's actions during the Battle of Bataan, where he single-handedly led attacks against the enemy, showcased his extraordinary courage and selflessness. Despite being wounded multiple times, he continued to fight, ultimately sacrificing his life to protect his fellow soldiers. Nininger's unwavering dedication and valor earned him the Medal of Honor, making him the first recipient of this prestigious award in World War II. His legacy is a powerful reminder of the courage, commitment, and sacrifice required to defend our nation. As I prepare to take my oath, I am inspired by Nininger's extraordinary example and strive to embody his spirit of dedication and bravery in my service.

Lastly, any words of inspiration for your fellow Third District graduates, Arkansans, or family?

First and foremost, I must express my most profound devotion to God. Through His grace and guidance, we find the strength to overcome challenges and the wisdom to navigate life's complexities. As it is written in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Let us always remember to put our faith in Him, for it is through this faith that we find our true purpose and direction.

Secondly, to your families, who have been your pillars of strength, your sources of unconditional love, and your greatest cheerleaders. You have shaped these graduates into who they are today, and your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. They owe you a debt of gratitude that words can scarcely convey. Your support has been the bedrock upon which they have built their dreams, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to my family for your unwavering support and encouragement throughout this 47-month journey. Your kind words, love, and belief in me have been a constant source of strength and motivation. Whether through late-night conversations, heartfelt advice, or simply being there when I needed it most, you have all played an invaluable role in helping me reach this milestone. Your support has meant the world to me, and I am profoundly grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you for standing by me and cheering me on every step of the way.

Lastly, to our beloved country, which has provided us with the freedom and opportunities to pursue our aspirations. Let us always strive to serve our nation with honor and integrity, to uphold the values that make us proud to be Arkansans and Americans. It is our duty to contribute to our society's betterment and be the change we wish to see in the world.

As you move forward, remember the words from Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." You are stronger together, and you can achieve greatness through mutual support and collaboration. Surround yourselves with those who challenge, inspire, and push you to be the best version of yourselves.

In every endeavor, strive to be your ideal self. Set high standards, pursue excellence, and never settle for mediocrity. Embrace the journey of continuous improvement, for it is in the relentless pursuit of your goals that you find true fulfillment.

May God bless you all, may He bless your families, and may He continue to bless the great state of Arkansas and our beloved country.

Thank you, and congratulations to the Third District graduates! Follow Me!

Pierce Guthrie

Military Academy: United States Military Academy  Major: Systems Engineering  Hometown: Bentonville  High School: Bentonville West   What inspired you to follow a path of service to our nation? My inspiration to follow a path of service to our nation is undoubtedly my father, Jonathon Guthrie. My father has been an administrator in Bentonville Public Schools for 18 years, and he leads with exemplary integrity, empathy, and possesses a passion for serving others. His dedication to service in the school district and example of leadership set a precedence that I have wanted to mirror since I was young. Service as an Army Officer stood out to me as the primary manner that I could fulfill my father’s example. There are several service academy options; what drew you to choose USMA? Quite honestly, I had no interest in any of the other service academies. I wanted structure, development, and leadership opportunity – West Point provided all three. There was not much convincing that went into my selection for West Point. I researched the history of the Academy, noticed the extensive list of notable alumni, and spoke to some great resources both locally and within admissions about the opportunities that West Point provided – and I was hooked. The United States Army is the only organization that at the age of 22 or 23 years old I could be entrusted to lead a unit of 30-40 soldiers. I have always had a large passion for leadership, and this was a massive reason on why I chose USMA over any other academy.   What branch/service selection will you be joining upon graduation/commissioning? Field Artillery Where will your first duty station be? Fort Carson, CO Do you have a planned “first salute?” Who will it be? My planned first salute is my Uncle, SFC Jonathan Pierce.  SFC Pierce served in the Active Illinois National Guard for over a decade, working within a Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team. He is now a member of the Army Reserves, and is working for the Illinois State Police. Growing up, SFC Pierce was the only member of my family in any branches of the armed services, and I always looked up to him as a role model within my life. I am blessed and fortunate to have my Uncle, SFC Jonathan Pierce, as my first salute upon my commissioning day. What is your favorite/most memorable moment from your time at the Academy? There are too many to narrow it down to one pick. While at the academy, I have been on a lot of trips as a part of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. I have traveled to Salt Lake City, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Chicago. Each trip provided a great opportunity to network and see other cities.  Also, I look back fondly upon my leadership detail as a Squad Leader in Cadet Field Training. I was in charge of nine USMA football players, and it was constant excitement and laughter. I’ll never forget the memories made during that detail. Looking back at your journey, what is one piece of advice you would give to others readying to walk into their first day at the Academy?  Join as many clubs as possible, quickly figure out how to keep you academics organized, and do not fall into the trap of becoming cynical!  If you surround yourself with the right people, West Point becomes much easier. Focus on the positives and disregard what you cannot influence, life will be much better.  Also, do not get discouraged during basic training or during Plebe year. That is the most difficult time at West Point by far. BEAST is not like Plebe year; Plebe year is nothing like being an upperclassmen. Keep that in mind. Are you on a sports team, club, or part of any other extracurricular activity that you would like to highlight?  I have been a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers for two years now. One of my closest friends, Mario Trevino, started our chapter at West Point, and I have been fortunate to have been a part of it during my time here. In your opinion, what is the best MRE?  I am going to get a lot of hate for this one.  The Tuna MRE goes hard. It has everything you could ever want in an MRE. Solid main meal, lemon poppyseed pound cake, Cheez-Its, tasty beverage powder for some off-brand Gatorade, and usually some tortillas. Recently, I have been seeing Reese’s Pieces in addition to the pound cake. That’s a two-for-one dessert combo. Are you kidding me? That’s tough to beat. Who is a past or present military leader who inspires you? Dwight Eisenhower is a big inspiration for me.   West Point graduate, goes on to become the Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War II. Oversaw the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, which ultimately bolstered the momentum for Allied forces to take Europe back.  He then went on to be our 34th President of the United States. Overall excellent example of leadership and professional service to the nation.  Lastly, any words of inspiration for your fellow Third District graduates, Arkansans, or family? Never count yourself out, work tirelessly in pursuit of your ambitions, and give Jesus Christ the glory in your successes.  Be proud of your Arkansan heritage, and remember where you came from! Embrace that southern hospitality and charisma/charm, it will pay dividends in your relationships and career.  Do work that you can be proud of, that your family can be proud of, and that your fellow Arkansans can be proud of. We need more young people to step up in positions of responsibility and leadership, the State of Arkansas and our nation are depending upon it.  Mom, Dad, and Virginia: You have been nothing but supportive throughout my entire life and journey at the Academy. I have so much love and gratefulness for you all. I will always strive to continue to make our family proud and bring respect to the Guthrie last name. Thank you for your continuous input and unwavering support in all that I do! Brandon Atwood Military Academy: US Naval Academy Major: Operations Research Hometown: Gentry High School: Gentry What inspired you to follow a path of service to our nation? I grew up with a strong sense of pride in our nation and admired those willing to defend it.  There are several service academy options; what drew you to choose USNA? I knew that I wanted to be a Marine and I wanted to partake in the incredible trainings that USNA provides over the summers.  What branch/service selection will you be joining upon graduation/commissioning? I will be commissioning in the Marine Corps on a ground contract.  Where will your first duty station be? I will report to TBS in Quantico, VA.  Do you have a planned “first salute?” Who will it be? My fellow quarterback, Luke Wagner, from Oklahoma City will be my first salute.  What is your favorite/most memorable moment from your time at the Academy? My favorite moment was walking on the mountain in Khe Sanh, Vietnam where the Marines fought off the NVA for 77 days.  Looking back at your journey, what is one piece of advice you would give to others readying to walk into their first day at the Academy? Enjoy every moment and avoid cynicism.  Are you on a sports team, club, or part of any other extracurricular activity that you would like to highlight? Sprint football, Quarterback, Number 5 In your opinion, what is the best MRE? Beef Stew Who is a past or present military leader who inspires you? I am very inspired by General Mattis. His dedication to his craft as a Marine officer and his unwavering commitment to his responsibility for his Marines was remarkable.  Lastly, any words of inspiration for your fellow Third District graduates, Arkansans, or family?  Take pride in where you’re from and never lose sight of your “why.” Cheyenne Waters Military Academy: United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) Major: Marine and Environmental Sciences Hometown: Bella Vista High School: Bentonville West What inspired you to follow a path of service to our nation? My Dad served in both the Army and the Air Force. He went to the University of Arkansas and was in the Army ROTC program. In fact, he was taught by Major Steve Womack and best friends with Bob Laster.   There are several service academy options; what drew you to choose USMA? I have always wanted to study the ocean, and the Coast Guard Academy has the best marine science program. What branch/service selection will you be joining upon graduation/commissioning? I will be a deck watch officer. This means that I will be standing watch on the bridge and driving boats. My cutter is CGC John Witherspoon which is a Fast Response cutter of 154 feet. CGC John Witherspoon is not commissioned yet. Therefore, I will be going to Louisiana for training then Key West for Sea Trails before taking the newly built boat to Kodiak, AK. Where will your first duty station be? Kodiak, AK Do you have a planned “first salute?” Who will it be? CMSgt (Retired) Steve McCollum What is your favorite/most memorable moment from your time at the Academy? Racing in the middle of the night on a sailboat during a clear sky and seeing the endless stars. Looking back at your journey, what is one piece of advice you would give to others readying to walk into their first day at the Academy? Pick the activities that make you happy. Build an Academy experience that will make you happy. In your opinion, what is the best MRE? The Coast Guard does not do MREs. However, my favorite boat snack is gold fish which are lucky for sailboat races. You will join a long line of dedicated service members who have come before you in taking an oath to support and defend the Constitution and our nation. Who is a past or present military leader who inspires you? The person who inspires me is my dad who is a retired Colonel in the Air Force. We traveled all over the world when I was a child. He instilled in me a desire to serve and showed me all the opportunities that the military offers. My mom also inspired me by showing what it means to serve at the Homefront. Lastly, any words of inspiration for your fellow Third District graduates, Arkansans, or family? Have fun! Chase your dreams! Kline Matthew Alt Military Academy: USAFA  Major: Geospatial Science/Global Logistics Management  Hometown: Fort Smith High School: Southside What inspired you to follow a path of service to our nation?  I’ve had several family members attend service academies in the past and through a combination of their shared experiences and my desire to lead and serve, I felt like this path was the right one to take. There are several service academy options; what drew you to choose USAFA? USAFA provided me with the best opportunity to fly the aircraft that I wanted to fly upon graduation, and the academic and research opportunities were unparalleled. Colorado Springs is also an unbeatable location which definitely weighed in to my choice.  What branch/service selection will you be joining upon graduation/commissioning?  I was selected for Pilot training (9T20) upon graduation.  Where will your first duty station be?  Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton Ohio for Graduate School at the Air Force Institute of Technology to study Operational Logistics and Supply Chain Analysis.  Do you have a planned “first salute?” Who will it be?  I do. A close family friend, Mr. Louie McKinney, Former Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. He and his family have had a profound impact on me as I’ve grown up, and he has served as a mentor for me as well.  What is your favorite/most memorable moment from your time at the Academy? The summer before my senior year, I had the opportunity to intern at the Pentagon through the US Army Corps of Engineers through a partnership with the Academy. I learned so much about leading and getting things done at a high level and will never forget that experience. Looking back at your journey, what is one piece of advice you would give to others readying to walk into their first day at the Academy?  I would offer that being uncomfortable is just about the best feeling you can have here. It’s hard to see the bigger picture in the short-term, however the constant challenging environment will prepare anyone who goes through USAFA to take on any obstacle that they face. Are you on a sports team, club, or part of any other extracurricular activity that you would like to highlight?  I had the opportunity to serve as the Group Honor Chairman for my Junior and Senior years at the academy, so this is where most of my free time went. I was in charge of administering honor code education, chairing Wing Honor Boards, and making sure that the system ran smoothly for over a thousand cadets. I learned a lot through this experience, and it helped me gain a new perspective on leadership and the military in general. In your opinion, what is the best MRE?  Chili mac, no questions asked.  Who is a past or present military leader who inspires you?  A military leader that inspired me to serve and continues to inspire me was John McCain. A USNA graduate and over five year POW, Senator McCain stood for what was right and in my opinion, was the standard for how a military leader should conduct themselves in and out of the uniform. I aspire to lead like him one day. Lastly, any words of inspiration for your fellow Third District graduates, Arkansans, or family?  Coming from Arkansas allows for a really unique opportunity to see the world in a different light than back home, which helped me realize just how blessed I was to call Arkansas home. A place like no other, never forget where you came from. Ramsey Long Military Academy: United States Air Force Academy Major: Systems Engineering – Human Factors focus Hometown: Rogers High School: Rogers What inspired you to follow a path of service to our nation? My great grandfather served in the United States Navy during World War II and my grandfather during the Vietnam War. My stepfather is still serving in the Navy Reserves today. They each have left a legacy of honor for my family; I wanted to do the same. There are several service academy options; what drew you to choose USAFA? During my sophomore year of high school, I got a call from a USAFA football coach offering me a spot on the team. After my first visit to the Academy I was hooked, I knew it was the place for me. I really liked the STEM majors USAFA offered knowing I wanted to study engineering in college. It really came down to those two things for me but I believe all of the Academies have something special to offer. What branch/service selection will you be joining upon graduation/commissioning? The United States Air Force! Where will your first duty station be? Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City.  Do you have a planned “first salute?” Who will it be? My stepdad, Petty Officer First Class (P01) Neal Wicks. What is your favorite/most memorable moment from your time at the Academy? My most memorable moment from my time at the Academy was finishing the infamous Assault (A) Course during basic training. For most, it probably was not as much of a challenge to get through it as it was for me. I was probably around 285 pounds when my flight went through it. I remember hardly sleeping the night before because I was worried I could not get through it. I took it one step, crawl, jump, and roll at a time alongside my classmates and finished it. I will never forget sprinting through that finish line and joining my friends in celebration! Looking back at your journey, what is one piece of advice you would give to others readying to walk into their first day at the Academy?  I know each of you are eager and excited to get out here and join the Cadet Wing. First, I want to thank those of you that choose to serve and sacrifice so much to take those first steps as basics. As things get tough, and they will, never lose sight of why you chose to attend an Academy. There will be a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, but I know that every one of you can endure through it and make it to where I am today. Good luck to you all! I am honored to serve alongside each of you! Are you on a sports team, club, or part of any other extracurricular activity that you would like to highlight?  I played offensive guard on the football team for two years. After finishing my football career, I volunteered to help with the Men’s Gymnastics team. Getting to serve them has been one of the experiences I have had here and I have made lifelong friends because of it. In your opinion, what is the best MRE?  Easily the Hash Brown Potatoes with Bacon, Peppers, and Onions! Who is a past or present military leader who inspires you? If I were to pick one leader, it would have to be General David L. Goldfein. Even when he was the highest-ranking officer in the Air Force, he embodied what it means to serve through leadership. I hope to embrace that same mentality as I begin to lead our Airmen.  Lastly, any words of inspiration for your fellow Third District graduates, Arkansans, or family?            I would like to thank everyone that has been a part of my journey up to this point. I have been so blessed to have such an amazing support structure along the way. I could not have gotten here without the support from my family, friends, teachers, coaches, mentors, and community. I won’t take that for granted going forward and I hope to honor you all through my service. Our armed forces are the strongest, bravest, and best in the world – these Arkansans will soon join their ranks. On behalf of a grateful state and nation, congratulations to these guardians of freedom, defenders of liberty, and keepers of peace! God bless you all – I know you will lead with distinction.