Mobile, Ala. — The Mobile Bay Area Veterans Commission proudly announces the recipients of
the 2025 South Alabama ROTC Cadet of the Year Awards, honoring two outstanding student
leaders from the University of South Alabama: Cadet Thomas Nelson of the Army ROTC
program and Cadet Reece C. Rodman of the Air Force ROTC program.
Army ROTC Cadet of the Year: Cadet Thomas Nelson
Cadet Thomas Nelson, a native of Thomasville, Alabama, has been named the 2025 University
of South Alabama Army ROTC Cadet of the Year. A graduate of Thomasville High School,
Nelson received a 3.5-year Army ROTC Scholarship to attend the University of South Alabama,
where he maintains a 3.69 GPA in Exercise Science and is on the Honors List.
Nelson serves as the Cadet Battalion Commander, Captain of the USA Ranger Challenge Team,
Vice President of the Scabbard and Blade Honor Society, and is an active member of the Exercise
Science Club, Army ROTC intramurals, and the Luke 4:18 Fellowship. He also completed the Army Cadet Command Summer Training, a rigorous leadership program preparing future Army officers.
“Cadet Nelson is the epitome of a future Army Officer,” said a representative from the University
of South Alabama Army ROTC. “He volunteers in the local community, maintains the highest
levels of physical fitness, mentors and develops underclassmen, and demonstrates the potential to
excel as a future leader in the U.S. Army.”
Air Force ROTC Cadet of the Year: Cadet Reece C. Rodman
Cadet Reece C. Rodman has been named the 2025 University of South Alabama Air Force ROTC
Cadet of the Year.
Born in Tampa, Florida, and raised in Navarre, Rodman is the son of a military family and has
called the Gulf Coast home for the past 12 years. He began his studies at the University of South
Alabama in 2022, pursuing a degree in Political Science while excelling in leadership and service.
Rodman has held several leadership roles within AFROTC Detachment 014, including Flight
Commander, Director of Operations, and Cadet Squadron Commander. Outside of ROTC, he
serves with the Catholic Student Association as Service Team Captain and contributes actively to community service initiatives.
A well-rounded individual, Rodman enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting and camping, and
has worked in various hands-on positions, including maintenance work for his local zoo and
landscaping for the City of Gulf Breeze. He also has experience operating heavy machinery and
has flight experience in small single-engine aircraft.
Rodman ranks among the Top 5% of Cadets in the Nation, a reflection of his academic excellence,
leadership ability, and commitment to service.
About the Mobile Bay Area Veterans Commission:
The Mobile Bay Area Veterans Commission is dedicated to recognizing and supporting the
contributions of veterans and future military leaders throughout the Gulf Coast region. Through
events, community partnerships, and educational outreach, the Commission continues to honor
those who serve and inspire the next generation of military and civic leaders.
