Prevailing winds spring 2013

Jacksonville University NROTC MIDN 2/C Suter

Prevailing Winds A semester recap of the JU

NROTC unit

Spring 2013

Mission of JU NROTC Our mission is to develop midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically

and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty in

order to commission college graduates as officers. They must possess a basic

professional background, be motivated towards a career in the naval service

and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to

assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship, and

government. NROTC accomplishes its mission through a system of training

and instructions in essential naval subjects at civil educational institutions,

which qualify students for appointments as Ensign in the Navy and Second

Lieutenants in the Marine Corps.

On 23 September 1971, the first NROTC Unit in the state of Florida was formally

dedicated during ceremonies at Jacksonville University. Jacksonville University is one

of the four Florida universities amongst the sixty-three colleges and universities in the

United States, which offer NROTC training.

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JU NROTC Description

Jacksonville University NROTC Prevailing Winds

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JU NROTC Teams/Clubs/Societies

MIDN Caldwell

When you walk down the

corridor of the Unit you can

easily find numerous trophies

and awards that the pistol team

has won. But over the years the

Pistol Team has fell in a more

inactive state. It is my goal as the

new Commander to bring the

team back to its former glory. My

plan of action consists of

scheduling practices twice a

week, getting a lot of range time,

spending a good amount of time

in the classroom correcting

Pistol Team

mistakes, focusing on the basics, and

harvesting the immense amount of

talent that we have hidden in the Unit.

I have been to the neighboring indoor

range, BULLSEYE Gun and Pawn,

and I was informed by the range

master and the owner of some falling

outs between them and the Unit a few

years back. I am currently avidly

working on reestablishing a firm and

strong relationship with them and we

are currently in the negotiation stage to

see what sort of deals can be worked

out. The unit has recently received a

letter of approval to shoot the air

pistols out back. This has given us

some much need breathing room

and we will be responsibly and

respectfully taking full

advantage of this opportunity.

The only event that the pistol team did was the

Captain’s Cup in the fall. The event was successful and all

went according to plan. The reason the team did not

compete in any actual shooting completions was because there was some confusion in the

chain of command and I would receive emails about

registering for events after the

registration date. We have done

practices with the air pistols and we have found a shooting

range that is willing to host us for our practices at a reasonable cost. The next thing I am

working on is an actual pistol qualification. This pistol

qualification would be good both in the unit and in the fleet.

My goal for that is to get as

many people as possible qualified

with the 9mm pistol. Also as a team we are looking into getting a rifle

team started. We realized that most of the freshman that are coming in shot rifles in high school so in order

to make for a more cohesive unit we are currently looking into the

likelihood of a rifle team with a rifle qualification as well.

I plan on taking full

advantage of all the resources

and opportunities that are

presented to me, and I am ready

to make JU NROTC Pistol Team

one of the fiercest pistol teams

Aim Small, Miss Small!


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SWO Society OC Sunda

Recruitment - Mandatory for

Seniors SWO options. Open to

all options and encourage

options that are Aviators (who

wish to be ship based aircraft),

Intel, Oceanography, or ECT

that will work with SWO's.

Weekly Meetings -

Short meeting immediately

following Drill every

Thursday if we need to

communicate something that

we can't do by email.

Monthly Meetings - Tentative,

based on member's input will

be Friday afternoons. First

tentative will be the 19th

OCT.

Speakers - First will be the

CO. Followed by speakers

from the SWO community

from surrounding areas.

Tours - Ship tours in Mayport,

Tours of SWO shore duty

billets at NAS JAX and NS

Mayport.

Learning - First Wednesday of

every month at 0800-1000

Signal Flag and Morse Code

training at NS Mayport with

ATG (Not mandatory,

volunteer basis depending on

schedule). Training with NSI.

Cookouts and Dining.

T-Shirts - Need a volunteer to

come up with design to vote on

and organize. (I will get with

other team commanders to get

information about their shirts). GET SWOTIVATED!!!!

SPECWAR MIDN Walker

The JU NROTC Spec-War

team is designed to help all

those interested in Naval

Special Warfare (SEALs) and

Naval Special Operations

(EOD), learn about and prepare

for training within those

communities upon graduation

from the NROTC program.

This past semester the Spec-War

team was busy trying to rebuild its

numbers and bring more interest to

the team, we are still small but the

level of interest is growing and we

have seen physical improvements

across the board from all of our

members. At the end of April three

of our team members will be

heading down to

Daytona Florida to compete in the

7th Annual Battle for the Beach,

where we will compete against

other Spec –War clubs as well as

other Spec-War candidates. The

next day, two of our members will

be competing in the Daytona

Frogman Triathlon to help raise

money and awareness for the Navy

SEAL Foundation. The JU

NROTC Spec-War team is open to

anyone in the unit and especially

anyone interested in Naval Special

Warfare/Operations all we ask of

our members is to be dedicated to

the team and give a 100% during

every workout. “The Only Easy

Day Was Yesterday”

Colorguard Team Sgt Hales

The Dolphin Battalion Color Guard is a group composed of active duty Marines, Sailors and Midshipmen. The color guard is actively involved in activities all over the city. Most recently they participated in the opening ceremonies for two local runs: The Wounded Warrior Project 8k Run and Travis Manion 9/11 Run. There are also several other events on the calendar for the rest of the semester ranging from parades to memorials. Being a part of the color guard is a great

way to reach out to the community and demonstrate your patriotism. The color guard also offers the opportunity to refine your skills in drill. This is also a great way to familiarize you with courtesies, customs, and traditions

regarding our Nation and unit’s flags.


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Aviation Club MIDN Suter

Throughout the semester the aviation club had many movie nights with guest speakers from the Jacksonville University aviation department, retired

aviators, as well as current military pilots. At each movie night, food was provided, events were planned, and it was made sure that everyone was on track in their aviation requirements such as taking the ASTB, keeping up their grades, and excelling in PT.

Also in the Fall semester, the aviation club represented the JU NROTC unit, as well as the club, at the Wings 'N Wheels Event at Craig airfield where we helped the Flight instructors organize plane rides, brief the passengers for the flights, and helped collect tickets for the rides. This was overall a very successful event and the aviation club will plan to do it in the future as well.

The aviation club brought the academic year to a close with a banquet at Red

Lobster. The top five most active members of the club were awarded $20 toward their meal. 10 unit members attended as well as CAPT Hadley LT McDonner.

Sailing Team MIDN Westbrook

Our mission with the

JUNROTC Sailing Team is to establish a bond and comradeship between

individuals within our unit who share a common interest, "being on the water." This year's sail team will use the resources provided to form an educational and recreational program, giving members of the battalion a chance to grow together. We will strive to compete in a few sailing regattas, and quite

possibly host our very own in the early spring semester. As a team, we would like to participate in a long sail, possibly a cruise, and actively network with members of the local NAS Jacksonville Yacht Club/other local organizations. Some members of the team have expressed an interest in gathering together some of the unit alumni, involved in the

sport of sailing, and holding an event. There are lots of wonderful ideas floating around, currently, and lots of fun times that are sure to come. With the proper instruction and dedication, I am fully confident that we will have a phenomenal program this year.

Trident Society MIDN Digiannuro

The Trident Society is made up

of individuals who see the

Navy’s Nuclear Power Program

as a possible career option. The

society has formal meetings

every semester and provides

tours of a submarine at the

nearby NSB King’s Bay, GA

whenever possible. Members

JU NROTC UNIT PICNIC AT

MAYPORT NAS I was the OIC for the Spring

picnic on April 13. We

grilled/prepared food from the

commissary, and we used

existing and free equipment for

entertainment. This reduced the

amount of BN funds we needed

to spend on catering, pool use,

etc. The door prize budget was

capped at $500, and the event

price tag was approximately

$1300. The event exists to allow

MIDN, active duty students,

and unit staff to gather in a

more relaxed environment

away from the usual encounter

at the unit building. The

feedback that I've received is

that the picnic was overall a lot

of fun.

are involved with studying and preparing for their technical and admiral interviews in

Washington, DC during their senior year by the nuclear

power coordinator and members of the unit who have

previously attended an interview. The Trident Society is a group of highly determined

and intelligent individuals who wish to dedicate themselves to

the nuclear propulsion side of the Navy.

Nursing Society MIDN Crouch

The Nursing Society was established at the end of spring

semester 2012, and started fall of 2012. This society is

mandatory for all nursing

scholarship student. However,

any midshipmen can participate in any of the activities that the Nursing Society hosts. The goal

of this society is to bring MIDN together to help out in the

community and help teach the values of being a nurse in and

The Nursing Society has had breakfast’s meetings

and community service at food banks. There have been a total of six nursing

officers from NAS Jax that have come to speak with

the nursing students at two different drill periods.

MIDN were allowed to ask as many questions as they would like to find out

what the fleet was like.

The two big events that

the Nursing Society has done this semester are the

blood drive and the Officers Symposium. The Officers Symposium

offered an all-day event at the Naval Air Station

Jacksonville Officers Club. This event allowed the

MIDN to network and have questions answered about what it was like as a

nurse in the fleet. We did have just nursing students

attend; there were non-nursing MIDN as well.

As for the rest of the semester, the unit will be

participating in a blood drive that is being hosted

through the Nursing

Society. This event is for

the CAPT Cup. Also, before the end of the semester there will be a

farewell meeting for seniors. The date of this

event is still TBA.

Monster Jam at

EverBank Stadium OIC OC Ruble

Monster Jam was held on February 23rd. During the event OCs and IDN were tasked with positioning throughout the

stadium as ushers and attendants. As ushers, we were in control of individual

sections and maintaining order. As attendants the volunteers were utilized

to man elevators and gates. The event began at 1600 and ended around 2300. The unit has worked the Monster Jam

event for several years. This fundraiser has been used to raise funds in the past

as it was this year. The unit requires a substantial budget to continue unit

activities and clubs. This event provided a large percentage towards filling the annual budget.


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Area 12 Drill

Competition OIC MIDN Newsome

On Saturday, 2, March, the Dolphin

Battalion volunteered to assist with the

local Navy JROTC with their annual

Area 12 Drill Competition. This was

held at the Coast Guard hangar on the

former Naval Air Station Cecil Field. A

total of 2 Marines and 20 MIDN

participated in the event. The Marines

were the judges for Armed and

Unarmed Basic Drill, 3 MIDN were rill

judges, one MIDN was the head Color

Guard Judge, and 16 MIDN were

judges for the physical fitness portion of

the meet. The battalion volunteered to

do this event because it is important to

support the local community and assist

an organization that several of our

members are a product of. We look

forward to our continued support of the

local community and the Navy JROTC.


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BNCO MIDN Johnston

The Battalion Commander position has been a very rewarding billet. I’ve learned a lot about how

the battalion works and how to work with others to get goals accomplished on time. Things have gone fairly smoothly for me this semester, and I owe most of that to my staff. I would probably

say that the hardest thing about being the Battalion Commander is find the balance of knowing when and what tasks to delegate and what to take care of myself. I’m taking away a lot of

valuable knowledge from my experience this semester and what I’ve learned about leadership will

carry over to my career in the Fleet.

BNXO MIDN Navas

Being BN XO has been an experience that I hope to take to the fleet. I have had the pleasure of working with a great BN CO, one who has been helpful yet respectful of what my job is. From that, I have taken one lesson, your

CO can make your life easier, or harder. With this billet I have had to supervise an entire staff as they try to get what needs to be done. This billet has caused me a lot of stress and consumed a good portion of my time however

it is always rewarding when a task gets completed. The mentorship program has been my main concern this semester, it was the BNCO's goal to get that implemented this semester and it has. This program will either be a great thing or a bad thing depending on how the students decide to act.


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MIDN Johnston: During my time at the JU NROTC Unit I’ve met some great people that will become lifelong friends. Some of my favorite memories during my time here come from my freshman year

bonding with my classmates during Delta Company. One that especially sticks out is MIDN Bosanko running and jumping into the St. Johns River for our Delta Company video. I’ve been able to learn a lot about leadership and what it means to be an effective and ethical military leader-especially during Skipper’s

class. The key advice I have to leave would be to expect to get out of the ROTC experience exactly what you

put in. If you make good use of your time and put forth the effort to succeed, you will learn much more than

you would otherwise. After commissioning I’ll be entering the Aviation community and heading off to flight school in Pensacola. I’m very excited to finally enter the Fleet and take the next step in my Naval career, but

I’m very thankful for my time at the JU NROTC Unit and I’ll never forget my time here. Hometown: Acworth, Georgia.

MIDN Sellars: I attended Jacksonville University my four years here. I am going into the Navy as a SWO and most enjoyed my summer cruises. I am from Century, FL. My best memory was our Delta Company video. Something this unit needs to improve on is prior enlisted and MIDN relations. We can

learn so much from them.

MIDN Bosanko: Hometown: Crystal River Florida, Home of the Manatees !!!! Community: Aviation. Enjoyed about the program: The aspect of the program I enjoyed the most was the people that I have met. Some of these guys will be lifelong friends. Best Memory: When I received the scholarship.

Improvements: Don’t change due dates

MIDN DiGiannurio: My time at JU has served me well. I have better learned how to fill the role as a follower, and then as a leader. I have learned various skills which will soon be put to good use throughout my naval career. During the next few months, I will be beginning my career into the submarine community

in the Navy. Jacksonville University, Submarine community, Hometown-I am from Boca Raton, FL. O&I was my best memory at the unit. The unit can improve on the lines of communication.

MIDN Brilhante: Name: Renee Capogna Brilhante, School: Jacksonville University, High School was Sequim High School, Community: Aviation, Hometown: Sequim, WA. Enjoyed: The team, I enjoy

knowing my family size has increased by a few hundred people since being in ROTC. Also enjoyed all of the life lessons I've learned. Best Memories: One of my best still goes back to freshmen year (plebe semester)

when all of us would take a caravan of vehicles just to go out to eat. Also karaoke at this family owned Filipino restaurant. Advice: Do your best and do what’s right even when no one’s looking.

Understand that you’re not always right, but you can always learn (reading publications helps with this). Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see. Nothing’s impossible. Finally, Do what you love, and Love what you do. Improve: Our expressed attitudes, I know I can for myself. I have no doubt we

all enjoy serving or can't wait to serve, but I think we all could present ourselves a little less negatively or more positively. Sounds really hippy, but personality has a lot to do with approach-ability, which is

important as a leader. Also, we need to use our time more effectively. During that hour and a half at drill and PT can cover a lot and create a lot of teamwork. We need to strive to have as much involvement during

that time as possible. I know I wasn't the best at accomplishing this, but every step we can make the better. Finally, we need people to get use to reading publications.

"The Navy has both a tradition and a future--and we

look with pride and confidence in both directions."

Admiral George Anderson, CNO, 1 August 1961

Graduating Seniors


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MIDN White, Brittney: Jacksonville University, SWO Community. Hometown: Evansville, IN

(southern tip of IN). My best memory was during delta company. The entire semester though hard change me in a good way to be more open, accept challenging situations head on no matter how scary the task, and camaraderie amongst my fellow senior MIDN. Well communication is always going to be a challenge that

we all have to work on in the unit. But more social events could bring the unit closer together. Like a JU NROTC ball or nice dinner where we can dress nice and not in uniform.

MIDN Gibbs: Jacksonville University, Aviation. Hometown: Crawfordville, FL. Best memory is of all the random things we had to go through at O&I which ended up making our class closer as a whole. We

can improve on unit cohesion; which if there is good effort put into this mentor program I believe that it will get better.

GySgt Allen: University of North Florida, Marine Ground. Hometown: St. Louis, Mo. Graduating

from OCS was my best memory at the unit. The unit can improve by having coffee and donuts available

during the first drill period of every month.

MIDN Alvarez: JU, Marine Aviation, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Graduating and leaving OCS was my

best memory. In order to improve the unit my suggestion would be to give Marines and Marine option MIDN with a certain PFT score no PT on a set day.

MIDN Malonzo: Jacksonville University, Nurse Corps. Hometown-Jacksonville, FL

OC Lopez: . UNF, Supply Corps. Hometown-San Bernardino, CA. Best memory at unit: Picnics.

The unit can improve on communication.

MIDN Bradley: Jacksonville University, Surface Warfare Community. Hometown-Middleburg, FL.

Best Memory: Captains Cup Challenge/ Commissioning. The amount of communication this year has been worse than previous years. It needs improving.

OC Gutenberger: Jacksonville University, Aviation community. Hometown-Citrus Heights, CA. Best Memory: 0530 PT sessions! The unit can improve on emphasizing camaraderie.

MIDN Hensley: JU, Nurse corps. Hometown-Clovis, California. Best memory: Meeting lifetime friends. The unit can improve on having more morale/unit-cohesion activities/events.

MIDN Thomas White: University of North Florida, Marine Corps. Hometown- Ripley, WV. Best memory: graduating from OCS and being able to meet the friends I did. Improve battalion PT Program by

putting in a schedule from the beginning of the semester and sticking to it. Also, ensure proper warm up and formation procedures are used.

MIDN Clayton: I attended Jacksonville University. I will be going into the SWO community. I'm from Nashville, TN (Best city in the world). My favorite memory would have to be my freshman O&I...and

then partaking in the later O&Is. I really don't know what the unit can do to improve....more parties and social events? Better communication/passing of word?

MIDN LaRoche: Jacksonville University, Aviation: Pilot. Hometown-Young Harris, Georgia. My fondest memories of my time at this unit were from my time in Delta Company. I can remember when

MIDN Grim, our Company CO, was at the top of the hill we normally run up for PT at the commuter parking lot waving the company flag and yelling “Charge the hill Delta Company!!” And I remember doing

pull ups until I reached failure, and MIDN Smith said, “If you guys put out half as hard as LaRoche, we wouldn’t have to PT so hard.” It really meant a lot to me.The unit does everything it possibly can to facilitate

our time here in college. They are available at all times should we ever have a problem. They support us and will aid in our studies, physical fitness, and even give advice with personal problems. If anything, the issues we have are more in the fact that our members either choose not to utilize all of the services provided by the

unit, or they are intimidated by the gap between officers and MIDN. I think it’d be great if the unit would


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reinforce its commitment to helping the members of the battalion by emphasizing a non-attributional

atmosphere in regards to visiting the unit. Perhaps it’s left over trauma from Delta Company that makes people scared to go to the unit, but it’s unnecessary.

MIDN Ayres: JU, Marine Corps Aviation. Hometown-Snow Hill Maryland. Best memory: Switching to Marine Option. The unit can improve on having monthly Military-related Field

Trips(ex.bases,training stations,etc).

MIDN Bennett: Jacksonville University, Marine Corps. Hometown-Bradenton, FL. The Marine

mess nights are my favorite memories from the unit. I would put more of an emphasis on watch standing at the unit. Make everyone pass the watch standing qualification tests before moving on to the next level of

watch stander.

OC Ruble: Jacksonville University, Nuke Submarine. Hometown- Mableton Georgia. Best memory:

The picnics. The unit can improve on having better watch standing training.

OC Duncan: UNF , Nurse Corps. Hometown-Mt. Olive, AL. The best and most painful time in the unit was when I served as the OpsO after just having a daughter and trying for A's in nursing school. I made it. Despite a lot of complaining within the BN, I think it actually runs pretty smoothly. The communication

could be better, but that varies from student to student who fills the billet. The unit staff is a great fit for this unit.

MIDN Morris: Jacksonville University, Nurse Corps. Home-South Africa. Best memory: Making friends. The unit does not need to improve on anything.

Senior Mess Night


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Education

Prevailing winds spring 2013