Author: nrotcstudent

1MC SSU NROTC

The 1MC
Spring 2012

Savannah State University
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Official Newsletter

1MC SSU NROTC

Contents

1MC STAFF	2
NOW HEAR THIS	3
Unit photo with President	4-5
Inspection	5
First Drill	6
Inspection	7
Spring review	8
Mess Night	9
Bull Dog	10-11
Tulane/Memphis Drill Meet	12-13
House painting/ car wash	14
Commissioning	15

1 MC STAFF:
MPAO/ SENIOR EDITOR:
MIDN 1/C Keith Williams
ASSISTANT MPAO
MIDN 2/C Candice Mack

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NOW HEAR THIS

Savannah State NROTC graduates possess a sound professional background, are motivated toward careers in the naval service, and have demonstrated the leadership necessary to lead Sailors and Marines. NROTC at Savannah State University develops students mentally, morally and physically while inspiring them with the highest ideals of duty and loyalty. Drawing on Navy and Marine Corps core values of honor, courage and commitment, our program prepares young men and women for graduation from the University and for a commission as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps.
This has been great year for NROTC Savannah State University. It was a pleasure to be able to lead these men and women over the past year. They are on their way to beginning their careers as naval officers and future leaders of tomorrow. This school year began at Paris Island, SC with the largest freshman class of Midshipmen ever. We activated more than 70 scholarships for students. This diverse group of students quickly learned the routine of college life and unit activities in order to become an integral part of the program. The year culminated with a superb graduation/commissioning ceremony in Tiger Arena.
Each Staff Member, Midshipman and parent should be proud of their accomplishments. My goal for the following year is simple: Academic Excellence! I look forward to the next year and I am sure that the students here at NROTC Savannah State University will impress us in the upcoming year.

Commanding Officer
Clark T. Price

Another semester is in the books, you are all one step closer to your goal of becoming an officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps. As always, academics are our main focus. Use every resource available on campus to help improve your performance; I have seen many Midshipmen helping each other as you study in groups and share information. That type of teamwork will not only lead to your success here at Savannah State, but will help to make you ready to be a superb commissioned officer. I am honored to have been your Executive Officer these last two years. By watching all the midshipmen learn and grow throughout their journey here, it is clear to me that honor, courage and commitment are not just words to you, but ideals that you are striving to live every day of your lives. Keep up the fantastic work and I cannot wait to witness your continued evolution towards excellence in the future!

Executive Officer
Daniel B. Rader

I would like to congratulate this semester’s midshipman company for a great and successful semester. I am highly honored to be the Midshipman Commanding Officer and a part of this unit. We had many successful events this semester such as the parades and the Birthday Ball. We were able to get a great venue down next to the river which was extremely beautiful. This NROTC program is here to teach us the importance of leadership. We are all here for the same reasons, to get commissioned as a Naval/Marine Corps Officer. Even with the intense training we go through such as physical training, drill practice, etc. , I was able to witness these fine young women and men mature and improve professionally and personally. I hope I was able to instill to the company the importance in taking care of your people and being responsible for your actions. Lastly I would like to congratulate our newly Ensigns and wish the best for you in the fleet.

Midshipman Commanding Officer
Joseph Morrison

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Savannah State University
NROTC Spring 2012

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1MC SSU NROTC

First DrilL

The first day of drill is always one of the most important. It gives the upperclassman a chance to introduce themselves to the new freshman and to get everyone situated with how the unit and other drill periods usually work. The Active Duty Staff have a chance to speak with everyone and talk about future plans for the company. After first drill period the unit comes together and leaves better informed about the unit and what occurs on a daily basis.
MIDN 3/C Hunter Crumley

The latest motivational run the unit went on was one the most enjoyable runs that we ever done. As we ran through campus, some of my fellow midshipman such as 4/C McKinnon, 3/C Gomez, and 2/C Cox were motivated enough to lead the company in cadences. When we reached the Alexis Circle we did a quick set of pushups, sit-ups, and side-straddle hops. We were moving pretty fast and it was really hot that day, but everyone kept up in the exercises and run. After we got back to the unit, Major Watson told us about a fallen Marine who sacrificed himself to save his unit. Overall, the run was very encouraging and has helped keep me motivated throughout the rest of the semester.
MIDN 4/C Jonathan Green

Company run

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Inspection

Inspections can be the scariest moments in a midshipman’s life if they are unprepared. Inspections should be the time for a midshipman to show pride and demonstrate what they learn when it comes to wearing a uniform. During the summer whites’ inspection, many midshipmen uniforms were on point, but others could not reach the basic requirements. When it came to reciting naval knowledge to the MXO, many midshipmen shockingly knew their knowledge well. It was a beautiful sight to see so many midshipmen wearing the prestigious uniform of a Naval Officer with so much history behind it.
MIDN 2/C Denisha Murphy

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Spring Review

Spring review is a time for the Midshipman Company to showoff how hard they have worked the entire academic year while being in Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. It is a formal ceremony to display to the audience what hard work looks like. These Midshipmen have been tested both mentally and physically the entire year. It is the time for them to receive their ribbons and awards and proudly march on the parade deck. Also, the most anticipated event for the Midshipman company is the change of command, in which the new company Midshipman Commanding Officer is announced.

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Field Mess Night

On 20 April 2011, Mess Night took place at Hunter Army Airfield where Midshipmen took part in an old tradition of the Naval service. The night began with a cocktail hour where the MIDN Company was able to mingle with each other and the Guest of Honor. During this time Midshipman had the opportunity to speak with the Guest of Honor who was a command master chief. I enjoyed listening to his conversation, where he talked about the importance of a chief being an officer’s right-hand man. The command Master Chief also stressed the importance of academics and leadership. My favorite part of Mess Night was when the floor was open for the Midshipman Commanding Officer to fine other Midshipman due to indiscretions and inappropriate decorum. The MIDN came up with interesting stories about other MIDN’s actions throughout the year that they thought were funny. If the president of the mess, Staff Sergeant Morrison thought that the MIDN were guilty of the act, he would charge them with a fine of up to three dollars and/or a drink from the grog. I feel that Mess Night is definitely a great unit event to participate in because it spreads camaraderie and increases the morale within the company.
MIDN 4/C Vanda Johnson

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10

Bull Dog

Bulldog was a real enjoyable experience for me as I was able to learn many new things from the active duty Marine midshipmen. The two most important things I learned were better discipline and time management. In Bulldog when you didn’t show up on time, you would have to write an essay. The essays can vary from a 300 to 1000 word essay. Other than learning these two skills, Bulldog helped me get to know some of the other Marine options in the unit a little bit better. My time in Bulldog helped me to better improve myself as a 4th class Midshipman in the unit. Overall, I think everybody should try Bulldog if they want to be more physically fit and develop new leadership qualities. Also, the hikes can be very motivating if you wear the right gear and hydrate. If you do not do these things Bulldog will be difficult for you.
MIDN 4/C Lamar Bee

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TULANE DRILL MEET

Every year our NROTC unit competes in the Tulane drill meet during Mardi Gras. The Tulane drill meet is comprised of multiple drill events including platoon basic, squad basic, color guard, platoon exhibition, and other various drill events. As the drill team commander I found the experience an unforgettable one. The Midshipmen we met were great and the cohesion our drill team experienced was excellent. We performed to our upmost ability and gained the opportunity to learn from our previous mistakes. At the end of our hard work our drill team enjoyed ourselves with a night out on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras. This was an opportunity to communicate with Midshipmen around the nation and interact with the people of New Orleans. Overall the Tulane drill meet was a success and a chance of a lifetime.
MIDN 3/C Rommel Boyce

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Memphis Drill Meet

On April 13, 2012, eighteen of Savannah State’s Midshipmen departed for the Beale Street Drill Competition in Memphis, TN. The team consisted mainly of fourth class midshipmen, many whom did not know what to expect. We took the overall first place trophy the previous year, and as returning champions the pressure was on. Every member was anxious but confident of their preparation for the competition. Long hours of continuous practice prepared the team for precisely that moment. We proved our ability by successfully placed in every event we competed in. Out of twenty schools from around the country, we were able to bring home two first place trophies, two second place, and one third place trophy. “It was a lot of fun to show how we compared to other schools around the country.” (MIDN 4/C Chantel White). Drill Competitions are not just about drill. These competitions give midshipmen the opportunity to meet other midshipmen with the same goals and aspirations as themselves. Although everyone there is representing their school, it is understood the person we are competing against at that moment might be the same person we will be working with in the future as we begin our careers as Navy/ Marine Corps officers.
MIDN 4/C Mayra Perez

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House Painting / Car Wash

It was a great opportunity to participate in the house painting. Personally, I had never painted a house before I came to the unit. This experience gave me a chance to learn a skill and also gave me an opportunity to become more acquainted with some of the upperclassmen in the company. The house painting also gave me an opportunity to give a service to the city of Savannah. We painted the house of a Vietnam veteran and it made me feel good that I was helping out a service member. The veteran was very welcoming. He gave all of us iced tea for painting his house. It was hard work but it was completely worth it after tasting his iced tea! I’m planning on participating in more house paintings in the future.
MIDN 4/C Kevin McKinnon

Savannah State University NROTC held a car wash fundraiser March 24-25, 2012. The Midshipmen Company were placed into two shifts per day – one shift from 0900-1200 and the other shift from 1200-1500. The NROTC car wash fundraiser was held at Hurricane Bay Car Wash on East Victory Drive. The purpose of the car wash was to improve camaraderie and raise funds for the Navy/Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Once the cars came out of the automatic car wash, the Midshipmen would detail the inside of the cars by vacuuming, drying, wiping down, and spraying each car. When the job was done, the costumers (civilians and military personnel) gave donations accordingly. The NROTC car wash fundraiser was a success. The Midshipmen raised over 100 dollars.
MIDN 4/C Lashawn Charles

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Commissioning…
Proud to be part of the Fleet! Fleet

Congratulations to 2nd lieutenant Johnson, Ensign Singletary, Ensign Ramseur (from right to left), and Ensign Veilleux (Bottom Right)
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1MC SSU NROTC

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