JROTC Diamond Promotion Names Leadership

By Colonel Joe Scrocca
September 14, 2022

The Cretin-Derham Hall JROTC Department's annual Diamond Promotion Ceremony took place on September 12.  The cadets who were promoted will fill key leadership positions within the Raider Brigade for the remainder of the school year. William Ek '23 was appointed the 107th Brigade Commander in the Corps of Cadets’ 100 plus year history and Paris Edwards '23 was appointed Deputy Brigade Commander. 

During the first seven years of the program, the senior cadet held the rank of Major. In 1925, the increased size of the Corps justified a Cadet Colonel. In 1933 and 1945, there were two commanders appointed.

The Martel Saber is presented to the new Cadet Colonel by their predecessor. The saber is an important symbol of the position of Brigade Commander. In 2006, it replaced the Patton Saber which now hangs in a place of honor in the JROTC hallway. The Senior Class that year donated the Martel Saber in memory of Brother Alphonsus Martel, a beloved teacher at Cretin High School and Cretin-Derham Hall for over 30 years who passed away in April 2004. Brother Martel was a dear friend and mentor of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

The event’s name stems from the shape of the rank for Cadet Colonel (three diamonds), Lieutenant Colonel (two diamonds) and Major (one diamond). Cadets wear these insignia on the shoulders of their uniform.

The ceremony occurred annually at Cretin High School from 1918 to 1982. Cretin-Derham Hall renewed the tradition in 1987.

We are grateful for the support of all the CDH students, parents, alumni, administration, and faculty.

September 12, 2022 Promotions

We congratulate the following students who were given promotions:

Cadet Major with duty as the Brigade S1:
Cadet Sam Laughlin '23

Cadet Major with duty as the Brigade S2:
Cadet Matthew McConville '23

Cadet Major with duty as the Brigade S4:
Cadet Mari Gainer '23

Cadet Major with duty as the Brigade S5:
Cadet David Verdeja '23

Cadet Major with duty as the Battalion Executive Officer: For 1st Battalion
Cadet Adamari Vargas-Jiminez '23

Cadet Major with duty as the Battalion Executive Officer: For 2nd Battalion
Cadet Timothy Flynn '23

Cadet Major with duty as the Battalion Executive Officer: For 3rd Battalion
Cadet Patrick McQuillan '23

Cadet Major with duty as the Battalion Executive Officer: For 4th Battalion
Cadet Ned Summers '23

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel with duty as the Commander, 1st Battalion:
Cadet Hugh Burda '23

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel with duty as the Commander, 2nd Battalion:
Cadet Olivia Kimlinger '23

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel with duty as the Commander, 3rd Battalion:
Cadet Brady Savard '23

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel with duty as the Commander, 4th Battalion:
Cadet Ella Keating '23

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel with duty as the Brigade S3:
Cadet Steffan Xiong '23

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel with duty as the Brigade Executive Officer:
Cadet Patrick Domler '23

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel with duty as the Deputy Brigade Commander:
Cadet Paris Edwards '23

Cadet Colonel with duty as the Brigade Commander:
Cadet Will Ek '23