Abell Family’s Commitment To Military Service
by Sarah Windmueller
U.S. Army Cadet Command (Army ROTC)
May 18, 2025

For Jill Abell, a senior at St. Francis University, commissioning marks the beginning of not only her military career, but a passing of the torch in her family’s Army story.

As graduation season approaches for U.S. Army Cadet Command, over 5,000 cadets will commission into the United States Army. Years of hard work have led to the moment cadets take the Oath of Commissioned Officers and receive the long-awaited “gold bar” rank, distinguishing them as second lieutenants.

Surrounded by her parents, former Army officers, and her two brothers, both Army ROTC alumni and now Army officers, Jill’s commissioning as a second lieutenant on May 9, 2025 rounds out her entire family’s commitment to service.

“Being in the military, it’s very honorable and it’s very noble. We’re so proud of them,” said Chris Abell, Jill’s father. “Our kids don’t have any regrets, and they recognize the people that have mentored them and the opportunities they’ve had to mentor others has allowed them to grow and serve not only in the best interest of themselves, but in the best interest of their country.”

“They’re going to school but also have the added effort of being in ROTC and dedicating the extra time to make them well-rounded, disciplined people. We certainly see that in our kids.”

Jill and her brothers grew up very aware of their parents’ prior service ... their father an Indiana University of Pennsylvania Army ROTC alum and their mother, Julie, a West Point graduate.

“Our parents were proud of their time in the military and had tokens from that time on display around the house,” said Hank Abell, Jill’s oldest brother who is an Army captain and Army ROTC alumnus of Florida Tech. “You try to emulate those you look up to, and for us kids that meant following in our parents’ footsteps.”

Hank was the first to gravitate towards service in the Army, and his journey signaled Jill’s first exposure to the college and Army ROTC journey.

“Pretty much every dinner conversation was about Army ROTC and getting a scholarship,” she recalls.

Her middle brother, Cole, followed not long after and received a four-year Army ROTC National Scholarship to the University of Dayton.

Two years later, it was Jill’s turn to enter the college discussion. She competed for the Army ROTC National Scholarship with her heart set on attending St. Francis University for their Biology program.

“I competed for the National Scholarship, I went through all of the boards, and then at the end I found out I didn’t get it,” Jill said. “Clearly that didn’t work out, but, for the better of course.”

Jill and her father started talking to the Recruiting Operations Officer at IUP (St. Francis University’s host campus and coincidentally her father’s alma mater) who advised that she compete for an on-campus scholarship.

“It was great to work with someone who wanted to get me to St. Francis and help get my school paid for … it worked out really well,” she said. “Getting an ROTC scholarship is definitely possible, but it’s something you really have to work for.”

The hard work continued as Jill quickly adapted to leadership roles within her program, a cross-town program to the larger IUP Army ROTC program, which held classes over an hour away at least three days a week.

“I can confidently say I’m thankful for the leadership opportunity the program has given me, but being part of a cross-town campus was a lot of extra work,” she said.

“Getting the experience of ROTC shows me that what I’ve learned in the program is going to help me [lead] in the future.”

As the final Abell sibling closes out her college career, the transition has provided the family time to reflect on the success and opportunities provided through ROTC.

“ROTC is a competitive environment,” said Cole, Jill’s middle brother. “A willingness to adapt and motivation to improve oneself are traits expected of an Army officer. Successes and failures at each trial helps form cadets into resilient leaders.”

“Jill has proven herself during her very busy college years and has emerged in the top ranks of students and cadets,” Cole continued. “I’m super impressed with her achievements and proud of her leadership capabilities. It is an honor for me and my brother Hank to be there for our little sister.”

Jill’s entire family was present for the commissioning ... one brother, Hank, flew in from Germany.

Both brothers were on stage to pin Jill’s rank.

“I’ve always been their baby sister, and I’ve always looked up to them. I was excited to have them both there because I feel like I’m making them proud,” Jill said. “I’m making my parents proud, of course, but especially my brothers who have always been my biggest supporters. They’ve always guided me, and now they were here for this big milestone.”

The emotional weight of the last four years as well as establishing her family’s Army legacy as the next generation of officers is not lost on the newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Abell, now a Transportation officer, or her brothers.

“The military is one large family where you constantly run into people you know. That has a whole new meaning now,” said Hank. "My family members are all Army officers. We’re all on the same team and can potentially work closely together in the future.”

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