Ethan Bates' parents, Chris and Terri Bates of Skerry NY, pin the golden bars that signify their son's rank onto his uniform for the first time. Photo Submitted by Silas Smith

POTSDAM -- Ethan Bates of Potsdam was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army on May 19 at SUNY Potsdam's Raymond Hall.

A graduate of both the Crane School of Music and Clarkson's ROTC Golden Knights Battalion, Bates will serve in the National Guard part time and looks to also work in local law enforcement when not with the Guard.