Middleton earns second lieutenant commission through ROTC

ADVANCE, Mo. - Brandon C. Middleton of Advance has received a commission of second lieutenant in the Army Reserve through the ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Early Commissioning Program (ECP). Middleton graduated with an associate degree from Marion Military Institute in Marion, Ala.

The ECP offered at Marion Military Institute is unique in that it allows students to earn a commission of second lieutenant in the Army after only two years of college. The officers are assigned to an Army reserve component unit, actively participate in unit training assemblies and receive pay and benefit entitlements.

After being commissioned, they have 36 months to complete additional academic requirements to receive a bachelor's degree at a four-year college or university offering an Army ROTC program. The officers must receive a bachelor's degree in the allotted time or else they are disqualified from the ROTC program and lose their commissioned status.

Middleton is the son of Tim E. Middleton and Melinda T. Masters, both of Advance. He graduated from Advance High School in 2000.