Pitt-Bradford alumnus Nikolas Erickson was commissioned as a second lieutenant

Nikolas Erickson, who graduated this spring from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford with a degree in criminal justice, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Erickson was pinned by his parents at a May 12 ceremony along with other Seneca ROTC Battalion cadets from six regional schools, including Pitt-Bradford and St. Bonaventure University, which hosted the commissioning.

The commissioning ceremony was followed by the Silver Dollar Salute, a traditional event in which each newly commissioned officer hands a silver dollar to the first soldier who salutes them. The honors goes to someone who was instrumental in the cadet’s upbringing, education or training — for the new second lieutenant, this person was his grandfather, former U.S. Air Force Airman Richard Erickson.

Erickson previously commissioned as an infantry officer into the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as part of Charlie Company 1-112th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and served as cadet battalion command sergeant major and cadet assistant operations officer. Erickson has also accepted a position as patrolman with the Allentown City Police.

Photo courtesy of St. Bonaventure University