Clemson cadet ranked second on national Order of Merit List

Published: December 2, 2010

By Stephanie Firth

CLEMSON — Clemson University Army ROTC cadet Joshua Shane Miller of Easley is ranked second in the prestigious top 10 on the national Order of Merit List.

The Order of Merit List ranks all Army ROTC seniors nationwide, with the top 20 percent earning the title Distinguished Military Graduate. This year, there were 1,068 Distinguished Military Graduates. Miller ranked second among more than 5,000 cadets nationwide.

Miller’s position on the list will determine his priority in selection for an active duty position and increases his chances of receiving the occupational specialty branch of his choice. A cadet’s rank on the list is based on grade point average, strong athletic performance in the Army physical fitness test, college athletic participation, leadership skills in college ROTC training and performance in the Leader Development and Assessment Course at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Miller has been in Army ROTC since 2009. He serves as a cadet battalion commander this year, the highest rank and commander of the battalion, and is in the Scabbard and Blade military honor society. 

“I've always been interested in the military,” he said.

In 2007, Miller enlisted as a private first class, a military rank for junior enlistees. He attended basic training at Fort Jackson, then advanced individual training at Fort Lee, Va. He was promoted to specialist.

His interest in Army ROTC came from his desire to serve as an officer.

“Clemson Army ROTC epitomizes what an officer commissioning program should be. We are blessed with attentive and diligent cadre that requires nothing but the best from us. I am confident, based on our performance at Warrior Forge 2010, Clemson Army ROTC has prepared my class to join the officer ranks as the best officers the nation has to offer,” said Miller.

Miller received his B.A. in political science from Clemson and is a graduate student earning his master’s degree in human resource development. He will pursue a Ph.D. in public administration and leadership next fall.

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