60 graduating students will commission through ROTC program

Sixty students from the tri-campus community of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, and Holy Cross College will commission into the U.S. armed forces in 2026, including the first Space Force recruits from the region. The Army will commission 23 students, with 16 joining active duty, five entering the Army Reserve, and two joining the National Guard, while some graduates will delay service to pursue advanced education." "article": "Sixty students from the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, and Holy Cross College will commission into the U.S. armed forces in 2026 through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program. This marks the first time students from the tri-campus community will commission into the Space Force. Lt. Col. William Kobbe, professor of military science, reported that 23 students will join the Army, with 20 from Notre Dame, one from Saint Mary’s, and two from Holy Cross. Seven of these graduates are distinguished military graduates, ranking in the top 20% of their class. Of the 23 Army-bound students, 16 will enter active duty, five will join the Army Reserve, and two will serve in the National Guard. Sixteen graduates will begin active service immediately, while three will delay their commission to attend graduate school: one at Harvard University for medical school, and two at Gonzaga University and the University of Notre Dame for law school. The Army Reserve recruits include three military intelligence officers, one medical service officer, and one engineer officer. Senior Lucas Brenninkmeyer, an environmental engineering major, will commission as an active-duty engineer officer starting September 14. He will oversee a team of 30-40 personnel, coordinating training and tasks assigned by superiors. Brenninkmeyer, who initially rejected a desk job, described his motivation as a desire to serve and grow personally through military service. Senior Matt Santini, a finance major, will join the Army Reserve as a military intelligence officer while working full-time as a project manager at Epic Systems in Madison, Wisconsin. Santini, who transferred from the University of Missouri to Notre Dame, will serve with the 37th Military Intelligence Unit, stationed in the Minneapolis area. The two National Guard recruits will serve as medical service officers, with one attending Wayne State University’s medical school under student status. Kobbe noted that students rank their preferences for service components, and Notre Dame has consistently matched graduates to their top choices over the past decade. The 23 Army recruits represent a diverse mix of career paths, with some pursuing advanced education before active service.