Four U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadets received their commissions and degrees during a mid-year graduation ceremony on Dec. 19.

The newly commissioned Coast Guard ensigns are Michael Gilbert, who is heading to the Cutter James out of Charleston, S.C.; John Henry Lerchbacker III, who is heading to the Cutter Spar out of Kodiak, Alaska; Jennifer Melisssa Patron, who is heading to the Cutter James out of Charleston, S.C.; and Mariclair Vaillant, who is heading to the Cutter Decisive out of Pascagoula, Miss.