Tudela and Dela Cruz received their certificates of commission after the pinning ceremony at the American Memorial Park Visitor Center.
UOG professor of military science LTC John W. Howerton led the oath of commission.
“Both these cadets will depart Saipan to serve in the active component of the United States Army. Both may or will be called to serve, lead soldiers, and defend our nation during this time of war on terrorism…. It’s just a matter of time when they receive the call. It’s an awesome responsibility,” he said.
He said Tudela and Dela Cruz underwent rigorous training at UOG.
“They honed their skills during their battalion field training exercises. They were challenged in the combat water survival test and succeeded. They mastered rifle marksmanship, and they drilled their way into excellence on the parade field.”
Howerton read a message from Col. Diron Cruz, chief of the joint staff for the Guam National Guard.
“Don’t compromise your integrity, remain steadfast in adhering to solid principles of character and leadership. If anything is worth left having…it’s your character and integrity,” Cruz said in his message.
Howerton said servicemembers are sworn to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
Tudela graduated this past weekend with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She is the daughter of Public Safety Commissioner Santiago Tudela and Bertha C. Tudela of Dandan.
Jana Tudela is a product of Northern Marianas College’s Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
She enrolled at NMC in Fall 2004 and graduated with an associate degree in business administration with an emphasis in computer applications. She joined the SROTC program when it was first launched in Spring 2006.
She then transferred to UOG in Summer 2007 to complete the higher levels of the ROTC program.
At the end of the 10-year contract she has with the Army, Tudela plans to pursue a master’s degree in international relations or communications.
“We heartily congratulate 2LT Tudela on her commissioning,” NMC interim President Lorraine Cabrera said.
Tudela received her pin from her father, her godfather SSG Servio Chargualaf and her uncle 2LT Joseph Sablan while Dela Cruz received his pin from his mother Sofia B. Perez, sister Shara B. Ant’l and brother Glenn B. Dela Cruz.
SSG Noel Chargualaf led the presentation of the Soldier’s Creed after the singing of the national anthem which was led by Jadine Tudela.
2LT Joseph Sablan gave the welcoming and closing remarks while Fr. Jesse Reyes offered the invocation and benediction.
