The University’s Army ROTC program hosted a Change of Authority ceremony Friday, Sept. 4, for the position of professor of military science.
The new leader of the Army ROTC program, Lt. Col. Jason Warner, at left, receives a flag during the Change of Authority ceremony Friday, as J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for veterans and military affairs, center, and retiring Lt. Col. Michael Bianchi, at right, look on.
The outgoing professor, Lt. Col. Michael A. Bianchi, served 21 years in various key leadership positions throughout the Army that included: Blackhawk Platoon Leader, 158th Aviation Regiment, Biebelstadt, Germany; Brigade Adjutant and Company Commander, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; Recruiting and Operations Officer, Syracuse University Army ROTC; Embedded Training Team Chief, Combined Security Assistance Command 203rd Corps Afghan National Army, Afghanistan; executive officer, recruiting battalion, Syracuse; and professor of military science; St. Bonaventure Army ROTC, Allegany, N.Y.
The incoming professor of military science is Lt. Col. Jason Warner. Warner has served in various key leadership positions throughout the Army, including: mechanized infantry platoon leader, company executive officer and squadron maintenance officer, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, Fort Irwin, Calif.; division support command intelligence officer, battalion intelligence officer, battalion operations officer, company commander and assistant intelligence officer, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; analyst and collection manager, U.S. Central Command, Tampa, Fla.; brigade operations officer, battalion executive officer and deputy directory for the Theater Ground Intelligence Center, 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Gordon, Ga. G35 Future Operations Deputy Directory, Eighth Army, Seoul, Korea.
Syracuse University Vice Chancellor for Veteran and Military Affairs Michael Haynie acted as the higher authority in the ceremony, and facilitated the exchange of leadership. Haynie also issued a Certificate of Appreciation to Bianchi on behalf of the president of the United States. Along with the presentation of the change of authority, Bianchi was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for exceptional meritorious service while serving as the professor of military science. The event concluded with a retirement ceremony for Bianchi, followed by the playing of the Army Song. A brief reception followed for the cadets and leadership of the Army ROTC.
