Published: May 07, 2009 10:18 pm         

Garber Army cadet attends national security

Travis Nyle Hawkins, of Garber, attended a national security seminar April 15-17 in Lexington, Va., after being named the top Army ROTC cadet at Troy University in Alabama.

He joined senior U.S. military leaders and key military officials, including Army Chief of Staff General George W. Casey and Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, at the seminar.

While in Lexington, Hawkins had the opportunity to interact with key leaders and discuss a variety of issues affecting national security.

“I’m deeply honored to be selected from among all of the seniors in the Army ROTC program here to represent my school,” he said. “I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and insights that I can put to use as a new lieutenant.”

Hawkins will be commissioned as a lieutenant today and will join the Army in the adjutant general branch.

“Cadet Hawkins has been a stellar performer while a member of this program,” said Lt. Col. Robert R. Russell Jr., professor of military science for cadets at Troy. “He has lead the Cadet Corps at Troy in almost every category, was the team captain for the Ranger Challenge team and finished in the top 10 percent of all cadets in the country for 2008. He currently serves as cadet battalion commander and is active in many campus clubs and activities.”

He is the son of Tarri Hawkins, Garber, and the grandson of Patty Walter, Covington, and the late Charles Walter Sr.