Assistant Professor of Naval Science, Purdue University Naval ROTC
Based on an interview conducted by Edward Lundquist, Seapower Correspondent
My job is developing the next generation of naval officers, morally, mentally and physically. It requires dedication from each staff member, each midshipman and myself. Initially, I thought it would be easy and similar to training Sailors in the fleet, but the amount of time spent on each midshipman — teaching them how to be accountable, professional, physically fit and instilling the Navy’s core values into them, in addition to class lectures and general military training — requires a vast amount of effort and planning. It’s important because our unit is training the naval service’s future leaders that are capable of leading junior Sailors and following senior officers. Providing them with the necessary tools and building their foundation to become a competent officer in any designator is the goal.
The CO [commanding officer] and I are the only SWOs [surface warfare officers] on staff. We also have an NFO [naval flight officer], a nuke, two pilots and a Marine Corps captain. My colleagues have shown me that no one designator has all the answers, and that we all learn from each other’s experience. Having diverse backgrounds, skills, knowledge and experience offers different perspectives in the teaching and training we provide to the midshipmen.
We currently have 121 midshipmen in our unit. The young people that come to NROTC are definitely in for a culture shock and life adjustment. Some are not ready for the challenge immediately, but after a semester or two, the ones that are willing to make the adjustment and seek to become officers stay committed. They are all willing to learn and know that there is more to becoming an officer than just going to school and obtaining good grades. They have to be open to learning about their civilian and military life, know how to balance work from home, and be able to make the tough call when that time comes.
As a prior enlisted Sailor who commissioned through the Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) program, coupled with my demanding previous billets as an SWO, definitely set me up for this job. While enlisted I served at VFA-37 Ragin’ Bulls attached to the USS Harry S. Truman and VFA-106 Gladiators. After commissioning, I served on USS Farragut and USS Roosevelt. Having experience as both enlisted and an officer further developed my knowledge and understanding of the Navy’s desires and needs.
I have many responsibilities at the command. I am the assistant professor of naval science for two courses: naval operations and navigation. I hold the collaterals of security manager, victims and witness assistance program manager, summer cruise coordinator, morale welfare and recreations officer, defense language test administrator, government travel charge card manager, educational services officer, defense travel system reviewing official, conning officer virtual environment instructor and assistant command fitness leader. I perform all of these tasks while attending graduate school for my master’s in atmospheric science at Purdue and attending online JPME [Joint Professional Military Education] classes at the Naval War College.
Swearing in and delivering the oath of office to a newly commissioned ensign is the most gratifying part of my job. Being able to see the hard work that they have accomplished and the dedication towards becoming a naval officer is worth the four-plus years of training them. At NROTC Perdue, we believe in developing the best midshipmen that are ready and capable of serving in any wardroom.