The Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, Division of Undergraduate Education, and UC Irvine Army ROTC proudly announce that Cadet Austin Chun has received the prestigious Legion of Valor Bronze Cross Achievement Award.
Awarded by the Legion of Valor of the United States of America on an annual basis, the Bronze Cross Achievement Award recognizes the top ten ROTC cadets across the nation. To be eligible for the award, cadets must be in the top 25% in ROTC and academic standing and demonstrate “the quality potential required of an Army Officer;” this includes exhibiting good ROTC and academic grades as well as strong military, academic, and community leadership.
The nomination process for the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross requires brigades to endorse a maximum of two qualified cadets and submit their university transcripts, Order of Merit List ranking, and a list of academic achievements, honors, and extracurricular activities. Cadet nominations also require an endorsed nomination memorandum from their Professor of Military Science, a nomination letter from the Dean of their school, and a Brigade Commander-endorsed memorandum.
Austin Chun displays his Legion of Valor Bronze Cross Achievement Award.
In January 2025, UC Irvine Army ROTC announced that Austin Chun was among only ten cadets to receive this honor. Austin, Cadet Command Sergeant Major and fourth-year Informatics student, is the #26 ranked cadet in this year’s national commissioning class of 5,000. Beyond his impressive cadet ranking and scholastic performance, Austin is exemplary in everything he does, as evidenced by the glowing recommendations he received during the award nomination process—including the letter written by Michael Dennin, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, Dean of Undergraduate Education, and Professor of Physics and Astronomy.
On Thursday, February 6, Vice Provost Dennin made a special appearance at the UC Irvine ROTC Cadet Change of Command Ceremony to present the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross (watch the award presentation). Following the ceremony, Vice Provost Dennin congratulated Austin, saying:
“It was an honor and a privilege to present this award. I’m happy we got the chance to recognize Austin’s exceptional leadership, service, and academic achievement. I encourage the entire UC Irvine community to join me in congratulating him and celebrating this accomplishment.”
To commemorate his honor, Anli (Xuan) Boone, U.S. Army Captain and Assistant Professor of Military Science for the UC Irvine ROTC, sat down with Austin to learn what receiving the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross means to him and to discuss how his experience in the ROTC has shaped his life and future plans.
Captain Boone: Thank you for sitting down with me, Cadet Chun. Can you start by introducing yourself?
Austin: I am currently a senior majoring in Informatics with a strong focus on User Experience Design. Throughout my academic journey, I’ve maintained a high GPA and have been on the Dean’s List every quarter.
In ROTC, I am the Cadet Command Sergeant Major and am responsible for leading and developing forty cadets. I also serve as the Vice President of Student Relations at the UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center, where I facilitate engagement and development among student entrepreneurs. Previously, I held the position of ASUCI ICS Student Senator, where I represented and advocated for ICS student interests. My college years have also been enriched by various internships that have allowed me to apply my classroom learning in real-world settings.
Captain Boone: You joined ROTC four years ago when you enrolled at UC Irvine. What inspired you to join?
Austin: My inspiration came from my family’s tradition of military service. My grandpas, uncles, and my dad all served in the military, and I sought to follow their footsteps. My father has been in for 39 years as an Air Force Reservist and introduced me to ROTC, suggesting it as an effective way to join the military while receiving tuition assistance for college.
Captain Boone: Do you feel that being in ROTC has positively impacted your life?
Austin: ROTC has played a significant role in shaping me into a well-rounded individual. ROTC emphasizes academic success because cadets are students first. The program not only prioritizes academic achievement but also actively supports it by offering tools, like a degree planner, and providing mentorship from senior cadets. Being in the program has also pushed me to excel in leadership roles, improve my physical conditioning, and overcome personal challenges. The rigorous training and structured environment have instilled a strong sense of discipline and responsibility in me.
Additionally, ROTC has given me unique opportunities that I never would have thought of doing. I was very fortunate to attend Army Airborne School, Air Assault School, and Jungle Operations Training Courses, which have let me jump out of airplanes, rappel out of helicopters, and live in the Hawaiian jungle all before I turned 21.
Captain Boone: Would you recommend the ROTC for UC Irvine students?
Austin: I would highly recommend ROTC for UC Irvine students. Our program’s smaller size creates a tight-knit community, which allows for more personal interactions between cadets and instills a deep sense of camaraderie that can be hard to find in larger programs. Additionally, the leadership and discipline skills I developed from being in ROTC can significantly help your professional development, making you more attractive to potential employers both in the military and civilian sectors.
Captain Boone: Let’s move on to winning the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross. Congratulations! How did you feel when you learned that you would receive the award?
Austin: The news of receiving the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross came as a complete surprise to me. My instructors had submitted my nomination back in June 2024, but given the prestigious nature of the award, I hadn’t anticipated winning. I was absolutely thrilled when they told me that I had been selected. I cheered a little in the moment, but as it sank in, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude.
Captain Boone: What does this award mean to you?
Austin: Receiving the Legion of Valor of the Bronze Cross is incredibly meaningful to me. This prestigious award not only honors my dedication but serves as a testament to the commitment and effort I’ve put into ROTC over the past four years. I never expected to receive such high-level recognition, so being selected is both humbling and inspiring. It’s a powerful reminder that hard work and discipline are truly worthwhile, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my future endeavors. It’s not every day you receive an honor like this, and it made me reflect on how much I’ve grown throughout my ROTC journey. It was an unexpected highlight of my ROTC career!
Captain Boone: Would you like to thank or give a shout-out to anyone in particular?
Austin: I would like to thank you, Captain Boone, as well as the other cadre members SSG Gastello and MAJ Frum, for your guidance and for recommending me for the award. I would also like to thank Vice Provost Dennin for his support in writing an Endorsement Letter and for personally presenting me with this honor.
I also want to express my deepest appreciation to my family for their unwavering support throughout my ROTC journey. Through all the challenges, setbacks, and achievements, they have always been there to encourage me. I’d also like to give a special shoutout to my twin brother Matthew, who is also in ROTC and my #1 competitor that pushes me to be better every day!
Captain Boone: Thank you, Cadet Chun. We’re all proud of you, and we look forward to supporting the rest of your journey at UC Irvine and beyond. Speaking of the future, do you have any plans you’d like to share?
Austin: After graduation, I plan to serve part-time in the California National Guard as a helicopter pilot while pursuing a full-time career in User Experience or Product Design. My goal is to apply my Informatics degree in a way that combines creativity and technology, allowing me to make a meaningful impact in the field. In the long run, I hope to transition my rotary-wing experience in the Guard to fixed-wing commercial aviation and become an airline pilot.
Connect with Austin on LinkedIn to keep up with his news and updates. Interested in learning more about the UC Irvine ROTC? Visit the UC Irvine ROTC website to learn more about resources and services. You can also connect on Facebook and Instagram.