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Student Spotlight: Hannah Gautreaux ’26
From Marlin to Military Leader: Business Major to be Commissioned as U.S. Army Second Lieutenant
University News | March 4, 2026
When Hannah Gautreaux ’26 walks across the stage at Virginia Wesleyan University this spring, she will mark more than the completion of her undergraduate degree. Just days earlier, on May 14, she will have been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army—the beginning of a career defined by leadership, service, and purpose.
A business major from Fredericksburg, Virginia, Gautreaux has spent the past two years balancing her academic studies, collegiate athletics, and the rigorous demands of the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion at Old Dominion University. For her, the journey into ROTC was both personal and purposeful.
“I have always felt a strong pull toward military service,” she said. “I wanted a career that would allow me to see new places, challenge myself, and help others in ways that are larger than myself.”
Coming from a family with a strong Army background, Gautreaux felt inspired to follow in their footsteps. But it was more than legacy that drew her in—it was the structure, discipline, and opportunity for growth that the Army represents.
“The Army demands discipline while pushing you mentally and physically,” she said. “It encourages growth beyond your comfort zone.”
A Defining Experience
Gautreaux describes her ROTC experience as challenging, eye-opening, and incredibly meaningful. Early morning physical training sessions and long, demanding training days tested her perseverance and resilience. Yet those moments of fatigue and doubt became catalysts for confidence.
Training at Fort Knox proved especially transformative. There, she faced some of the most rigorous experiences of her ROTC career—firing M4 rifles, completing the gas chamber exercise, and spending multiple days in the field sleeping in the woods with only a sleeping bag.
“The demanding environment tested me in ways I had never experienced before,” she said. “But those shared experiences created strong bonds and lasting friendships.”
Through ROTC at Old Dominion, Gautreaux also built meaningful connections beyond VWU’s campus, expanding her sense of community and camaraderie. Together, those experiences solidified her desire to serve and prepared her for the responsibilities ahead.
Her commitment and performance have not gone unnoticed. Gautreaux earned the designation of Distinguished Military Graduate—an honor awarded to ROTC cadets who rank in the top 20 percent nationwide of their commissioning class. The distinction is determined through the Order of Merit (OML), a comprehensive ranking system that evaluates cadets on academic achievement, leadership performance, physical fitness, and military evaluations.
“I realized I received the award when we were reviewing my OML,” she said. “It was a proud moment.”
Leadership On and Off the Field
While excelling in ROTC, Gautreaux also dedicated herself to the Virginia Wesleyan field hockey program. As a member of the team, she developed discipline, resilience, and teamwork—qualities that seamlessly complemented her military training.
“Being part of this program has allowed me to build meaningful relationships with teammates and coaches,” she said. “The memories created through this experience have had a lasting impact on my personal growth.”
Balancing athletics, academics, and ROTC required careful time management and unwavering determination—skills that will serve her well as she transitions into active duty.
Looking Ahead
Following her graduation from VWU on May 16 and commissioning on May 14, Gautreaux will enter active duty and await attendance at the Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC), where she will receive specialized training for her role as a Military Police Officer. After completing BOLC, she will begin serving full time in the Army. She is also a memver of the Virginia Army National Guard as part of the Simultaneous Membership Program for Army ROTC.
As graduation approaches, Gautreaux reflects on her journey at Virginia Wesleyan with gratitude—for the mentors who guided her, the teammates who supported her, and the challenges that strengthened her resolve.
ROTC, she says, has been a defining part of her college experience. Soon, she will carry the lessons learned at VWU—and the values of leadership, perseverance, and service—into her next chapter as a United States Army officer.
Learn more about Army ROTC at VWU.