UCO ROTC Commissions Five New Army Officers
May 11, 2026
Five University of Central Oklahoma students earned both their college degrees and commissions as officers in the United States Army during the university’s annual spring commissioning ceremony, May 8.
The commissioning marks the culmination of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, which prepares college students to become leaders in the active Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve. UCO’s program, known as the Broncho Battalion, is the largest program of its kind in Oklahoma and is among the largest in the region.
“This commissioning contributes to a total of 21 newly commissioned officers for the year, exceeding the program’s annual mission for the first time in five years," said Lt. Col. Shaun McIntosh, chair and professor of military science and leader of the Broncho Battalion at UCO.
"These officers have completed rigorous academic, physical and leadership training and are fully prepared to lead soldiers in the United States Army.”
The newly commissioned Broncho Battalion members are:
- 2nd Lt. Cody Cobb, from Fort Worth, Texas, earned a bachelor’s degree in history. Cobb will serve as a logistics officer on active duty.
- 2nd Lt. Andrew English, from Oklahoma City, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. English will serve as a field artillery officer in the Oklahoma National Guard.
- 2nd Lt. Noah Payne, from Greenville, Tennessee, earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies. Payne will serve as a military intelligence officer in the Oklahoma National Guard.
- 2nd Lt. Daniel Smith, from Great Falls, Montana, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. Smith will serve as a military intelligence officer in the Army Reserve.
- 2nd Lt. Layla Tottey, from Raleigh, North Carolina, earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Tottey will serve as an adjutant general officer in the Oklahoma National Guard.
“It is an honor to commission these outstanding leaders. Their success reflects the strength of the UCO Army ROTC program, the support of the university and the dedication of families and partners who played a critical role in their development,” Lt. Col McIntosh said.
Over the past three years, the UCO Army ROTC program has experienced significant growth through the dedication of its cadre, staff and cadets. The program has expanded to approximately 140 cadets, placing it among the top 10 largest ROTC programs in the region, including Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.
Central’s Army ROTC program partners with four affiliated universities—Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City University, Southern Nazarene University and Cameron University—allowing students from these institutions to commission through UCO’s program while completing their bachelor’s degree at their home university.
Army ROTC is the nation’s largest commissioning source, producing approximately 70% of all Army officers.
For more information about the UCO Army ROTC program, visit www.uco.edu/business/rotc or contact the Department of Military Science at armyrotc@uco.edu.
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Cutline: Five University of Central Oklahoma students earned both their college degrees and commissions as officers in the United States Army during the university’s annual spring commissioning ceremony, May 8. Pictured, left to right, UCO President Todd G. Lamb; 2nd Lt. Noah Payne, from Greenville, Tennessee; 2nd Lt. Daniel Smith, from Great Falls, Montana; 2nd Lt. Layla Tottey, from Raleigh, North Carolina; 2nd Lt. Cody Cobb, from Fort Worth, Texas; 2nd Lt. Andrew English, from Oklahoma City; and Lt. Col. Shaun McIntosh, chair and professor of military science and leader of the Broncho Battalion at UCO.
