NORTH ATTLEBORO - Paul A. Corcoran, son of Brigitte and John Corcoran of 1016 Lincolnshire Drive, was commissioned into the U.S. Army to the rank of second lieutenant by his brother, Capt. Erik Corcoran, Company Commander of A CO, 64th BSB, 3BCT, 4ID, Camp Taji, Iraq.

Paul is a 2004 graduate of North Attleboro High School, and Erik is a 2000 NAHS graduate.

It was always Erik's goal to be present and give his brother the oath of office at Norwich (Vt.) University.

As fate would have it, Erik was ordered on his second deployment to Iraq last November. Never daunted, the brothers worked out a possible solution.

Their idea was first brought to the attention of Col. Steven Carney, head of Army ROTC department at Norwich last fall. In spite of several setbacks, and with the help of the Army ROTC department at Norwich, a webcam teleconference with Erik was organized. The administration of the oath and the pinning ceremony took place in the ROTC conference room at the university.

Paul's parents pinned on the same bars that originally belonged to John when he served in the 8th Infantry Division in Germany in the 1970s, and were also worn by Erik during his first tour with the 5th Engineers in Camp Liberty, Iraq.

Paul is branched to the U.S. Army Infantry. After completing his Basic Officers Leadership Course II and Infantry Officers Leadership Course at Fort Benning, Ga., he is slated to attend Ranger School before his projected permanent change of station move to the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, Ky.

Paul has already completed Basic Officers Leadership School 1 at Ft. Lewis, Wash., Airborne School and Air Assault School prior to commissioning in the U.S. Army.