Alex J. Van Overschelde has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army after successfully completing the Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program and graduating with a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University, Brookings.
The new officer will be branched to a specific corps in the Army to serve on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserve. The lieutenant will attend an officer basic course relating to his or her particular military occupational specialty/job. Afterward, the officer will complete advanced training by attending basic officer leadership courses for career progression purposes.
The ROTC curriculum prepares students with the tools, training and experiences to help cadets succeed as effective leaders in any competitive environment. Army officers serve as leaders, counselors, strategists and motivators, who lead other soldiers in all situations occurring in ever-changing environments.    He is the son of Loren and Julie Van Overschelde of Letcher.
Van Overschelde graduated in 2008 from Mitchell High School.