Army commission
Joseph C. Strong graduated from Norwich University Corps of Cadets, Military College of Vermont, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Field Artillery Corps.
To his academic credit, he was named to the commandant's list, awarded the Academic Silver Star for maintaining a 3.0-3.5 GPA for four consecutive years, Political Science Pin and Student Government Executive Service Recognition Ribbon and was selected for the Army student of the month award. He also was a four-year member of the Regimental Band that had the distinction of having performed in the Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Barack Obama.
As a cadet, he distinguished himself with the "Rook" recruit candidate as a freshman, cadet corporal section leader as a sophomore, cadet drill sergeant first class as a junior and provisional battalion commanding officer of the Commanding Band Company, Drill Company & Cavalry Troop in his senior year. He is the proud recipient of several ROTC & Regimental Band ribbons and merits for excellence in the classroom and as a member of the school's prestigious military marching band.
He plans to attend basic officer leadership course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma,, and proceed to Fort Benning, Ga., where he will attend Army Ranger & Airborne schools to prepare himself for a career in the military.
Strong is a son of Joseph and Dawn Strong, Shenandoah, and a 2010 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School and a member of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the National Honor Society.