Log Book 2013

NAVAL ROTC
Fall 2012 - Spring 2013
THE LOG BOOK
vUniversity of Virginia
Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
Honor | Courage | Commitment
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UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA NAVAL ROTC
2012 - 2013
Captain T.M. Cashman H Commanding Officer
UVA NROTC Battalion 2012 - 2013
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA NROTC2 2012 - 2013 H THE LOG BOOK 3
H Commanding Officer’s Address............................................................4
H Unit Staff..................................................................................................5
H Fall 2012 Battalion Commanding Officer’s Message..........................6
H Spring 2013 Battalion Commanding Officer’s Message....................7
H Battalion Staff..........................................................................................8
H Welcome Aboard....................................................................................9
H Farewell to GySgt Salazar.....................................................................10
H 1/C Cruise..............................................................................................11
H 1/C Nursing Cruise..............................................................................12
H 2/C Cruise..............................................................................................13
H Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center..........................14
H Cortramid..............................................................................................15
H 3/C Nursing Cruise..............................................................................16
H O-Academy...........................................................................................17
H Orientation Week 2012........................................................................18
H Fall Field Exercise (FEX).....................................................................20
H Navy Birthday Celebration..................................................................21
H Nurse Corps Symposium.....................................................................22
H Family Weekend...................................................................................23
H 237th Marine Corps Birthday Ball.....................................................24
H Toys For Tots.........................................................................................25
H USNA Leadership Conference............................................................26
H Guest Speakers......................................................................................27
H Tri-Service Events.................................................................................28
H Dining Out............................................................................................29
H Villanova Drill Competition...............................................................30
H Navy DEEG-Ball: Philanthropy Dodgeball Tournament................31
H Dining In...............................................................................................32
H Day In The Life of a 4/C Midshipman...............................................33
H Marine Option Platoon........................................................................37
H Nurse Corps Society.............................................................................38
H Midshipmen Bible Study.....................................................................39
H Lunch with the Lieutenants.................................................................40
H Battalion Intramural Sports and Physical Training.........................41
H Midshipmen Around the World.........................................................42
H Our Academic Diversity......................................................................43
H MIDN Around Grounds......................................................................44
H Advice from 1/C Midshipmen............................................................46
H Farewell Class of 2013..........................................................................48
H Commissioning Congratulations.......................................................49
Table of ContentsUNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
2012 - 2013
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s I reflect upon the
past year on the
Grounds of UVA, I
am humbled at all
the battalion has
accomplished, the
pride they show in the NROTC Unit,
and the enthusiasm they have for
their role as soon-to-be officers in
the service to their country! Myself
and my entire staff are blessed to
have the opportunity to mentor,
lead, and train some of the most
talented young men and women
this country has to offer.
In just a few short weeks, 11 anxious
midshipmen will stand on the North
steps of the Rotunda on the historic
Grounds of the University of Virginia
and swear to “support and defend
the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies foreign and
domestic,” in front of family, friends
and the entire NROTC Staff. These
words carry an incredible amount
of responsibility that may not be
fully appreciated among our soon
to be Ensigns; but will serve as the
backbone of many decisions that
are either made on their behalf
or by them in the coming months
and years while serving this great
nation. The young men and
women who will be commissioned
on 18 May 2013 are exceptionally
talented midshipmen capable
of handling the challenges that
await them; I am extremely
confident they will make us all
proud!
The UVA NROTC Battalion is
proud to commission the
following 1/C midshipmen
and wish them "fair winds
and following seas!” We have
4 midshipmen who were
selected to train in Pensacola,
Florida to become Naval
Aviators (MIDN Julia Freeburg,
John Weisskopf, Scott Blaha and
Robert Mills); 2 midshipmen
selected for Nuclear Power School
who will serve on nuclear-powered
submarines (MIDN Garrett
Greensmith and Peter Lai-Lepage);
3 midshipmen selected to be Navy
Nurses (MIDN Caroline O’Dwyer,
Tiffany Torres and Laila Cruz); 1
midshipmen was selected for EOD
(Explosive Ordinance Disposal
– MIDN Colin Maloney); and 1
selected to serve in Yokosuka,
Japan as a Surface Warfare Officer
(MIDN Alex Clemmer). It has been
an honor watching these young
men and women mature over the
past year and I have no doubt they
are ready to SERVE!
In closing, I want to
thank an incredible staff
of professional officers,
enlisted and civilians. Their
collective enthusiasm and
commitment to this unit
cannot be matched, and I greatly
appreciate all they have done to
better prepare the midshipmen
under their charge for the
responsibilities that lie ahead.
I look forward to meeting the
parents,familymembersandfriends
of each and every midshipman
during my time as commanding
officer. If you ever have a question,
please don’t hesitate to e-mail me
at tmc2p@virginia.edu; call me
directly at (434) 924-0972 or stop by
Maury Hall.
Commanding Officer’s Address
Captain T.M. Cashman, USN
Unit Staff 2012-2013
LT William Golden
Asst. Prof. of Naval Science
Surface Warfare
Officer Instructor
LT Clifford May
Aviation Officer Instructor
LT Joseph Anglin
Submarine Officer Instructor
CAPT Mike Cashman
Commanding Officer
Professor of Naval Science
Maj David Wright
Marine Officer Instructor
Battalion Staff Advisor
CDR Mike Kunkel
Executive Officer
Assoc. Prof. of Naval Science
SSgt Charlie Coulter
Asst. Marine Officer
Instructor
John Cochran
Supply
Connie McGowan
Administration
UNITSTAFF||NROTC||UVA
AA
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Battalion Commanding Officer’s
Message Spring 2013
by MIDN 1/C Weisskopf
Battalion Commanding Officer’s
Message Fall 2012
by MIDN 1/C Freeburg
his fall was another busy semester at Mr. Jefferson's
University. Almost every upperclass midshipman returned to
grounds early to welcome our new group of 4/C to
Orientation Week. Enduring seven challenging days, the 23
new arrivals bonded as a class and emerged ready for the
demanding life of a midshipman. While the 4/C wored hard,
arriv the real heroes were the 2/C and 3/C who led as troop handlers,
taught drill, or worked behind the scenes for a flawless week. As my
classmates and I remarked throughout the week, your spirit and effort
in those long hours made Maury Hall an incredible team-focused
atmosphere above anything we'd seen in our time here, and set the
tone for the rest of a positive semester.
After O-Week, the highlights of
the semester were several
successful Operation Orders,
planned and executed by each
platoon. MIDN Chang's platoon
planned an exciting fall Field
Exercise: the Confidence and
Leadership Reaction courses at
Fort Pickett, VA were memorable challenges for
all. MIDN Senerchia ensured a warm reception
for all of our families during Family Wekend,
showcasing the many societies and activities
of the battalion. He also later led a successful
toy drive in support of the local Marine Corps
Reserve Toys for Tots. MIDN Taylor and Baldwin
helped uphold time-honored traditions at
at the unit, planning our Navy and Marine
Corps Birthday celebrations. For the first
time in recent memory, the Navy
included alumni, parents, and
and benefactors of the unit. MIDN
Baldwin’s thorough planning ensured
the most successful Marine Corps
Birthday Ball I’ve seen in my time at
the unit.
The fall also saw the resurecction of the
"Physical Training Instructor position;
MIDN Weisskopf and Bessette brought
a new level of rigor and quality to Battalion
PT. Other new additions included two new
members of Unit Staff. LT Golden drives the battalion's
PT and has helped build a new
model of mentorship from the LTs.
SSgt Coulter, our new Assistant
Marine Officer Instructor, sets high
standards for military conduct and discipline, but also
helps us learn the value of the junior officer-staff NCO
relationship.
Serving as Battalion Commander has truly been my
greatest honor here at the unit. I have learned a great
deal from all of the midshipmen in the battalion, and
say with great sincerity that I appreciate the
effort you all put into this program. There
is a special bond between members of
this midshipmen family that I have not
found equaled anywhere else at the
University. We all make mistakes—the
important thing is that we learn as we
move forward. I hope you will take
to heart a lesson I learned from our
former GySgt Salazar: “It’s called
Leadership Laboratory because it’s your
chance to experiment on each other
before you get to the Fleet. You’re supposed
to make mistakes.”
Thank you to my staff for their friendship and
dedication, and to members of Unit Staff for their
mentorship.
“Hold yourself responsible for a higher
standard than anybody else expects of
you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity
yourself. Be a hard master to yourself-
and be lenient to everybody else.”
his quote by motivational speaker Art
Turock is the spirit I tried to set when I took
command as the Spring semester 2013
battalion commander. I brought back the
“word” for the semester this semester with
“commitment.” From no position in the
battalion does one get to see the level of commitment
that everyone in the battalion puts out than mine. I
can point to specific examples such as the outstanding
performance of the platoon commander’s OPORDERs
or the exceptional PRT scores, but to truly capture the
sense of commitment I have seen in our battalion is
impossible to capture in this short address.
Tuesday and Thursday morning drill periods were run
efficiently and effectively this semester due to the
hard work and coordination of MIDN Maloney. Our
two physical training instructors, MIDN Coryell and
Van Beek, worked with LT Golden to run a successful
remedial and battalion physical training regimen. This,
along with individual commitment to physical
excellence culminated in everyone
passing the PRT with most performing
well above the standards. Thursday
mornings consisted of stimulating
and informative briefings from
some highly qualified individuals.
To name a few, we were a able
to have a discussion with former
Wahoo RADM Donegan, incredibly
well received finance and Middle
East briefings, a women in the military
panel, and Dean Groves’ always-
enjoyed discussion on University structure
and status.
Our battalion enjoyed a night of camaraderie and
traditions with our first dining-out. MIDN Cypher did an
outstandingjobinorganizingthistrulyentertainingevent.
The Tri-service competition was brought back by joint
efforts between MIDN Freeburg and representatives
from Army and Air Force. Of course NROTC brought
home the first
place trophy, as
anyone would
expect. When
April came around
our drill teams
headed up to
Philadelphia for
the Villanova
University Drill
Competition
MIDN Tarmann
did a fantastic
job organizing the
logistics, and our
inspection team
ended up taking
third place. On
April 20th, two
platoons worth of
work over the semester culminated in our first ever
joint Delta Gamma Sorority-NROTC philanthropy
dodgeball tournament and another well executed
and entertaining 1/C dining-in.
It has truly been an honor to serve as the Spring
semester 2013 Battalion Commander. I
owe all the success of this semester to
an extremely competent staff and
commitment from everyone in the
battalion. To the battalion, you should
all feel incredibly proud of the great
traditions and history you come from
among everything else you have
accomplished. There are some truly
amazing people in this battalion, and I
cannot wait to serve in the fleet with each
and every one of you.
“There’s a difference between interest and
commitment. When you’re interested in doing
something, you do it only when circumstance
permit. When you’re committed to something,
you accept no excuses, only results.”
-Art Turock
TT TT
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Staff Sergeant Coulter joined the UVA NROTC Unit
in August after training Marine officer candidates in
Quantico, VA. Staff
Sergeant Coulter has
served in the Marine
Corps since July 1999,
when he enlisted as a
Motor Vehicle Operator
and went through recruit
training at MCRD San
Diego. After completing
MCT and MOS school, he
reportedto2ndBattalion,
10th Marines, Battery F,
Camp Lejeuene, NC,
and some short months
later, his unit was sent to
Salmon, Idaho to fight
wildfires. As a part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit,
his unit deployed as a part of OPERATION ENDURING
FREEDOM. Having also participated in OPERATION
DYNAMIC REPSONSE in Kosovo, and OPERATION
SOUTHERN WATCH, SSgt Coulter was again deployed
in 2003 during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM to reinforce
Task Force Tarawa in An Nasiriyah, Najaf, Al Kut, and
many other Iraqi cities.
He reported to his next unit in July 2003, H&S Company,
Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. While serving as a Motor
Vehicle Operator, he also became the Color Sergeant
for Marine Forces Pacific. This duty entailed the honors
of conducting Repatriation of Remains, Honor Cordons,
Parades, and other ceremonies.
SSgt Coulter was assigned to Drill Instructor School,
Parris Island, SC, in September 2005. As a Drill Instructor,
Senior Drill Instructor, and Martial Arts Instructor at 1st
Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Company A, he
trained 7 separate platoons.
In 2009, he returned to Afghanistan as a part of
OPERATION MOSHTARAK in Marjah, Afghanistan. In
2011, he was deployed again, serving as Patrol Leader
and conducting over 120 Combat Logistics Patrols to
over 20 Forward Operating Bases, Combat Outposts,
and Patrol Bases.
Since arriving in August from training officer candidates,
SSgt Coulter has seamlessly assumed his duties and
responsibilities, while establishing strong working
relationships with midshipmen. His hard-working attitude
and personal guidance will unquestionably strengthen
the UVA NROTC training environment.
BATTALION STAFF
SPRING SEMESTER 2013
FALL SEMESTER 2012
BNCO: MIDN 1/C Freeburg
BNXO: MIDN 1/C Greensmith
BNMC: MIDN 2/C Warner
N3 (Ops): MIDN 1/C Lai-LePage
N4 (Supply) / N5 (Future Plans): MIDN 1/C Cruz
Welcome Aboard
Staff Sergeant Coulter
by MIDN 2/C Donaldson
Welcome aboard Lieutenant Golden! Lieutenant
Golden grew up in Freehold, New Jersey, just outside
of New York City. The terrorist attacks on September 11,
2001 hit close to home for him, and led him to join the
military to serve his country. Consequently, he enrolled
in the United States Naval Academy in June 2004 and
graduated in May 2008 with a major in Mathematics
and a minor in Spanish. After graduation, he reported
to the USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57) in San Diego, CA
where he served as the Electrical Officer and Training
Officer. On board the USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN, Lieutenant
Golden made a deployment to the Western Pacific
and Arabian Gulf. In August 2010, he reported to the
USS INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2) where he served as the
Weapons Officer and Navigator.
Lieutenant Golden finished his tour aboard the USS
INDENDENCE in August 2012 and reported to the NROTC
unit of the University of Virginia shortly after. He serves
as the Surface Warfare Officer Instructor and Assistant
Professor of Naval Science, teaching Naval Operations
and Seamanship and Navigation. Lieutenant Golden
hopes to teach midshipmen what the Surface Warfare
community has to offer and advise and advocate
for midshipmen in his
capacity as a Year Group
Advisor. Already, he has
been a driving force
behind improving our
Battalion PT’s to make
them more effective and
has established a great
rapport with midshipmen.
The University of Virginia
NROTC unit is very
fortunate to have
Lieutenant Golden, and
we all look forward to his
continued presence and
leadership.
Alpha Company
COCO: MIDN 1/C Torres
CPO: MIDN 2/C Cypher
1st PLT CDR: MIDN 2/C Chang
2nd PLT CDR: MIDN 2/C Baldwin
Bravo Company
COCO: MIDN 1/C O’Dwyer
CPO: MIDN 2/C Ballato
1st PLT CDR: MIDN 2/C Senerchia
2nd PLT CDR: MIDN 2/C Taylor
BNCO: MIDN 1/C Weisskopf
BNXO: MIDN 1/C Mills
BNMC: MIDN 2/C Gillooly
N3 (Ops): MIDN 1/C Maloney
N4 (Supply) / N5 (Future Plans): MIDN 2/C Bessette
Alpha Company
COCO: MIDN 1/C Blaha
CPO: MIDN 3/C Fridley
1st PLT CDR: MIDN 2/C Donaldson
2nd PLT CDR: MIDN 2/C Tarmann
Bravo Company
COCO: MIDN 1/C Clemmer
CPO: MIDN 3/C Foley, K
1st PLT CDR: MIDN 2/C Holy
2nd PLT CDR: MIDN 2/C Cypher
Lieutenant Golden
by MIDN 3/C Foley, M
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Farewell to
Gunnery Sergeant Salazar
by MIDN 1/C Maloney
1/c Cruise
by MIDN 1/C Clemmer
he purpose of the 1st class cruise is to ready rising 4th year
midshipmen to commission as Ensigns, and is mandatory for
all midshipmen. They will typically shadow a junior officer
(JO), ranging from O-1 to O-3, for the duration of the cruise. It
is an opportunity to better understand the role of a JO in the
fleet and in the desired community.
For my cruise, I chose to do an extended submarine cruise. I
spent 42 days underway on the USS Nebraska (SSBN-739). The Nebraska is
an Ohio-class Trident missile submarine. Typically, these submarines, also
known as “Boomers,”
operate on roughly a
90-day rotation with a
Blue and Gold crew.
My time onboard was
spent on the second
half of this period with
the Blue Crew.
During my sta
on-board, I was
introduced to many
aspects of the Sub
community. Normal
operational days were
18 hours, instead of 24
hours. Most of my time was spent in Control, where I worked on qualifications for the Fire Control, Sonar, and
Navigation stations; I even had the chance to operate the periscope. Maneuvering was the other place I
spent my time. This is wheremost junior officers stand watch, since it is the first required qualification to earn
their dolphins.
Other exciting opportunities I had the chance to participate in included midshipmen firedrills, security drills,
and even being part of a medical team for a ship-wide fire drill. Our timing on-board allowed the midshipmen
of to witness Halfway Night, a celebration for bing halfway through the patrol and see the procedures for coming
home from a patrol.
Submarine life revolves
around extremes. During my
free time, I learned how to
play Cribbage with the CO
and XO, had movie nights,
and worked out. The most
important thing I learned
was to always be engaged
no matter what you are
doing. Staying active and
always being around made
the experience much more
worhtwhile.
GO BIG RED!!!
TT
his fall, the University of Virginia NROTC Unit
bid farewell to its previous Assistant Marine
Officer Instructor (AMOI), Gunnery Sergeant
Alfonso Salazar.
GySgt Salazar is
an infantryman
by trade and
has returned to
lead Marines as a platoon
sergeant. He is currently
with the combined anti-
armor team (CAAT) with
Weapons Company of
3rd Battalion, 1st Marines.
During his last semester
at the University, GySgt
Salazar completed the
advanced course for
GySgts in Quantico, VA.
Unsurprisingly, he returned
to the Unit with honors as
the Honor Graduate.
GySgt Salazar set a high
standard for midshipmen
from day one, and was
never afraid to pass on
personal anecdotes to
help midshipmen learn from his successes and failures.
He was the consummate professional who liked to say
that he “learned way more from MIDN than we learned
from him.” He will forever be remembered by those at
the Unit for his genuine intensity and compassion. The
Marine Option Platoon in particular
benefited from his guidance, and
learned from his example.
Midshipmen also enjoyed the support
of a staff member during events
outside of normal battalion activities.
His grilling was met with welcome
mouths at UVA football game tailgates
and Unit socials. He also loved to
display his competiveness and
athleticism during intramural sports, specifically with
the softball and soccer teams. In addition, together
with MIDN Weisskopf,
he started the
groundfighting club.
His experience as a
MCMAP Instructor
was a great resource
during those sessions.
Gunnery Sergeant
Salazar oversaw
the successful
graduation of four
classes of midshipmen
from Orientation
Week. From his very
first Orientation
Week to his last,
GySgt Salzar pushed
midshipmen to
discover their
strengths and improve
on thier weaknesses.
The midshipmen of
this battalion will
remember GySgt
for his presence
and his devotion to the ideals of this institution.
Farewell, GySgt Salazar, and good luck in San Diego!
TT
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idshipman Torres, Cruz, and I reported
to the quarterdeck of Portsmouth Naval
Hospital on a hot afternoon in June,
looking out of place in our summer
whites as we scanned the area for
anybody who might be able to help us.
We were quickly spotted by the nurse in charge of our
summer training, who gave us a warm reception. We spent
the morning talking about Navy nursing and the hospital
with her and had a tour of the grounds in the afternoon. The
next day, we got right down to business. We worked three
to four twelve-hour shifts per week with an assigned nurse.
Every nurse that I worked with was extremely helpful and
welcoming. Doctors, corpsmen, and nurses all went out of
their way to ensure that
the other midshipmen and
I were having a positive
experience.
The timing of our cruise
could not have been better.
Not only was the weather
perfect, allowing for
excursions to Virginia Beach
but the “Tall Ships Festival"
was also in town. An
annual festival that
makes stops around the
world, the Tall Ships Festival
is a gathering of hundreds
of beautiful "Age of Sail" ships
and yachts. They stayed in
Norfolk for about a week,
accompanied by a lively
carnival. In addition, several
foreign frigates and cruisers
were in port at Norfolk and
were open to the public for
tours. The hospital was very
nice and the city of Norfolk
had a lot going on, but it
was the people that made my experience truly memorable. I am very appreciative of the time that the staff at
Portsmouth took out of their busy days to teach me. I consider myself lucky to have been assigned Portsmouth
as my first duty station to work among such people, and I look forward to reporting in this summer!
econd-class summer
cruise is a chance to
spend more time with
a particular warfare
community and get
a good sense of what
daily life is like in the
Navy, particularly from an enlisted
sailor’s perspective. It is the last
cruise you go on before starting the
service selection process at the end
of your third year, so it can also help
you decide which path you want to
(or don’t want to) follow in the Navy.
This past summer, Midshipman 2/C
Bessette was lucky enough to be
assigned to an aircraft carrier, the
USS George Washington (CVN-73).
He first flew to Okinawa, Japan, a
week before reporting in, since he
was given permission to spend a
week visiting with friends. He flew to
the carrier on a C-2 Greyhound and
got to land on it at sea! His assigned
running-mate was in the V-2 division
of Air Department, so he learned a
lot about the catapult and arresting
gear. While onboard, he was able
to become flight deck qualified,
allowing him to be on the flight deck
by himself. The V-2 division was even
able to outfit him with “flight deck
gear”—a green tutleneck, camo
pants, a “float coat,” and a cranial
(essentially a helmet with hearing
protection). That didn’t stop him
from exploring the rest of the ship,
though, and taking full advantage
of the diversity a carrier has to
offer. Some highlights included
spending almost an hour and a half
as the Conning Officer during flight
operations and while the CO was on
the bridge (understandably a nerve-
wracking experience), shooting
the .50 caliber while flying in a
helicopter, and doing some minor
training (fast-roping and rappelling)
the EOD team onboard. Once his
cruise was over, the midshipmen
were catapulted off the carrier in
a C-2 and landed at Osan Air Base
in South Korea. From Osan, he was
able to take day trips to visit the De-
Militarized Zone and to Seoul, before
finally flying out of Incheon. While
getting to see two different countries
on cruise is certainly not the typical
experience, there always seems to
be someone who gets lucky, and
it is certainly an experience to take
full advantage of!
While Bessette was exploring
the Pacific from the surface,
I got to explore its depths on
the ballistic missile submarine
USS Louisiana, stationed out of
Bangor, Washington, along with
six other female midshipmen. The
USS Lousisiana was scheduled to
receive its first female officers in
the fall of 2012, so we were the
guinea pigs! After spending two
days getting to explore Seattle
and some of the facilities on base,
we met the boat in the Strait
of Juan de Fuca on a tugboat.
We wouldn’t see the sun again
(except through a periscope) for
the next 21 days. Having so much
time underway allowed me to find
out whether I could handle being
underwater for so long (it’s really
not bad!), and made me feel more
like a part of the community, which
is what initially attracted me to the
submarine force. Surprisingly, after a
week and a half, watching movies,
playing cards, eating and sleeping,
does in fact get old; so, I decided to
take advantage of the experience
to work on some qualifications. I
first set my sights on qualifying as a
passive broadband sonar operator. I
had to read a lot of manuals about
sonar for the knowledge portion,
delighted to see my Environmental
Science major actually come in
handy. Then, I spent several watch
sections with the wonderful people
of watch section 3 to get some
hands-on learning. In the sonar room,
it’s dark, and staring at a screen of
little green and black lines for six
hours can be pretty exhausting, so
it’s the camaraderie between the
crew that keeps everyone going.
The conversations ranged from
the silly and ridiculous to the very
serious, but they were never boring!
Simultaneously, I started working
on my helmsman/planesman
qualification. These are the people
who, by controlling the angle of the
fairwater planes, stern planes, and
rudder, effectively “drive” the boat
by controlling depth and direction. I
could easily spend four hours driving
without even realizing it because
it really is a pretty fun job, and the
diving officer makes sure you don’t
do anything wrong. Emergency
blow and emergency dive drills were
my favorite because you get to
push the wheel all the way down (it
moves towards and away from you
in addition to left and right, unlike a
car steering wheel). And, the best
part was that now I can say, for the
rest of my life, that I could drive a
nuclear submarine before I could
drive a car (I don’t have my license).
Overall, while we both had atypical
summer cruise experiences, the
take-aways are pretty universal. We
both were amazed at how such
complicated systems are able to run
so “smoothly” and gained a deep
respect for the men and women
who make that happen every day
in the Navy. Additionally, both of
us loved and still keep in touch with
our fellow midshipmen from cruise, a
testament to the closeness of bonds
formed underway.
2/c Summer Cruise
by MIDN 2/C Tarmann
SS
1/c Nursing Cruise
by MIDN 1/C O’Dwyer
MM
LogBook2012_13.indd 12-13 5/1/13 9:42 PM

he Marine Corps Mountain Warfare
Training Center is located in the Sierra
Nevada Mountains in Bridgeport, CA.
While our Navy classmates go on cruise
after their second year, Marine Option
midshipmen get to spend 10 days training
at MWTC. This training included everything
from hiking up 10,000 feet, conducting river crossings
in glacial runoff, climbing and repelling sheer cliff
faces, and learning some basic land navigation and
survival skills. On our second full day in Bridgeport, we
hiked form the barracks located in Pickle Meadow to
the Lower Base Camp, where we conducted repelling,
climbing, and river crossing operations. The following
day, we did 1-mile SKED races, which showed
us the proper procedures for evacuating injured
Marines off a mountain. The next morning, we were
up at 0330 to get chow and begin our hike up to LZ
Penguin.Climbingfromroughly8,000ftattheBarracks
to 10,000 at LZ Penguin, each Marine Option felt the
effects of the long hike and the high altitude. The
experience of hiking what seemed to be a vertical
slope at Mean Peak and trying to shave at 0500 in 15
degree weather accented by 30 mph winds certainly
tested our character and desire to be Marines. For the
next four days, we stayed at LZ Penguin, conducting
land navigation and learning essential survival skills
from MARSOC, Recon, and Scout Sniper Marines.
These are only a few of the training evolutions that took
place, and each was more awesome and challenging
than the next. I
was also lucky
enough to spend
two days as 1st
Platoon’s Platoon
Commander. It
was a harrowing
experience that
taught me some
key lessons in
leadership and
command.
The ultimate
takeaway for
me though, was
a recognition
of the quality
and character
of my fellow
Marine Option
midshipmen from
units around the
country and the
Marines who
comprised the
training staff.
Each of us came
from different
hometowns and
backgrounds, yet
we each shared
similar motivations,
mindsets, and
haricuts. It didn't
take but a few
hours for it to seem like we had known each other
for years. Overall, the experience left me equipped
with new training and excited to serve with such
amazing people as a United States Marine.
Marine Corps
Mountain Warfare
Training Center
by MIDN 2/C Donaldson
TT
This past summer, I participated in
my first Summer Cruise: CORTRAMID.
Shortfor“CareerOrientationTraining
for Midshipmen”, CORTRAMID is a
chance for midshipmen, over the
course of four weeks, to take an
in-depth look at four career paths:
Submarine Warfare, Aviation,
Surface Warfare, and the Marines.
Unsure of what I wanted to do in
the Navy, I had an open mind from
the start.
Week One was with the submarine
community, so after arriving in
Norfolk, I was hopping on a plane
and heading down to Kings Bay,
Georgia. There, we did drills for
a few days before boarding a
submarine. On-board, I met some
of the brightest, and at the same
time most relaxed, people in the
Navy. Before CORTRAMID, I thought
of subs as dark and small and not
worth considering. Now, the
submarine path is near the top
of my list.
The next week was aviation, which
was a lot of briefs and swimming
training. But eventually, we all got
to take part in what Aviation Week
is all about: the ride in the T-34.
Most of the pilots gave us a wild
ride of loops and tricks. Some, mine
included, handed over control of
the aircraft for a while, so that I
actually flew the plane. It was an
awesome experience that I’ll
remember forever.
After aviation, it was off to Camp
Lejeune to spend time with the
Marines. This was not my favorite
week–not a moment of downtime,
and lots of marching with heavy
gear under a July sun in North
Carolina. Many really enjoyed it,
and no one left without a much
better understanding of what it
means, and what it takes, to be a
Marine.
The final week for me was Surface
Week. I got underway on the USS
Kearsarge for a couple days, and
got to see what the day-to-day life
of the crew was like. And while it
was not all standing on the bow
with a telescope in hand, peering
into the horizon, it was an enjoyable
experience nonetheless. I believe
my future path will be with the
Surface community, and so I took a
lot away from that week.
CORTRAMID is not all work and no
play. The weekends are free, and
you get to meet new people from
ROTC units across the country. My
friends and I spent the weekends
bowling, shooting pool, exercising,
going to the beach, and just
relaxing.
CORTRAMID is a bit tailored – each
community is trying to catch the
eyes of midshipmen. They won’t
show you the worst moments or the
boring jobs. But for the midshipman
who explores and takes advantage
of the time underway to interact
with the crew, CORTRAMID is a
chance to see what things are like
in the ‘Big Navy’ and see what path
is right for you.
CORTRAMID
by MIDN 3/C Novack
LogBook2012_13.indd 14-15 5/1/13 9:42 PM

ROTC Nurse Option
midshipmen have a
different summer
training experience
than their peers.
Instead of going on
CORTRAMID, we spend a month
on a ship, following an enlisted
“running mate,” getting a crash
course in all things Navy and hands-
on experience. I was assigned to the
USS Peleliu (LHA-5) an amphibious
assault ship fondly referred to
as “40,000 tons of steel and sex-
appeal!” The Peleliu provides
transport and support for the 15th
Marine Expeditionary Unit, and is
also the flagship for the Commander
of Amphibious Squadron Three.
Thus, the Peleliu is equipped with
hangar bays to accommodate
Landing Craft Utility (LCUs) and
aircraft, a huge gym, ship’s store,
and living accommodations for the
ship’s crew of 2,500 and the 15th
MEU. For me though, the best part
of the Peleliu was her fully equipped
medical department – 4 operating
rooms, an intensive care unit, 100
bed sickbay ward, mass triage
room, dental
department, and
radiology and pharmacy
capabilities; I was in the right place!
During our two underway periods,
I learned quickly to adjust to
shipboard life. With my corpsman
running mate, I supervised flight
and well deck operations, stood
watch in battle dress stations
(BDS) awaiting casualties from
training evolutions, participated
in an underway replenishment
(UNREP), witnessed a Sea Whiz
demonstration, stood in formation
through a frocking ceremony and
change of command, and
experienced a POTUS operation.
All the while, I conversed with the
sailors and marines around me,
hearing their personal stories, family
situations, and insights on their role
in the Navy’s greater mission. These
experiences gave me an incredible
contextual understanding to
apply to my future co-workers and
patients.
As a nurse option, the clinical
experience I gained from cruise
was unmatched. Each morning I
would assist my running mate with
sick call patients who presented
a wide variety of ailments from
psychological distress to injuries. My
running mate taught me important
clinical skills like taking a patient’s
vitals, administering an IV, drawing
blood, and proper sterilization
technique. I was able to administer
injections, perform health checks
on ships spaces, and maintain
medical records. One of my best
cruise experiences was as a double
hand amputee in a mass casualty
triage drill. These clinical skills will
give me a leg up as I begin my
nursing clinicals back at UVA.
I am so grateful for all of the
opportunities and experiences that
the USS Peleliu provided me. The
insight I gained about leadership,
nursing, and the Navy far exceeded
my expectations. I am so excited
now more than ever to serve as a
Navy Nurse!
Enlisted
Nursing Cruise
by MIDN 3/C Redman efore the new 4/C report in the
middle of August for O-Week, upper-
class midshipmen are already in
Charlottesville and Maury Hall preparing
for the incoming class at “O-Academy”.
For these few days, everybody’s focus is on making
sure that Maury Hall is
ready to accommodate
the new midshipmen and
that everyone is properly
trained to carry out their
O-Week duties.
In order to house the
twenty or so Midshipmen
that will be coming
in, Maury Hall has to
undergo some changes.
Every year we clear out
two classrooms on the
main floor to serve as
the “berthing” (sleeping
area) for the 4/C. It’s an
all-hands-on-deck effort
to move chairs and desks
downstairs and then replace them with cots, foot
lockers, sleeping bags, and seabags with all of the
4/C’s new uniform items.
Aside from logistics, O-Academy is also meant to
ensure that all of the returning Midshipmen will be
able to successfully carry out their O-Week duties.
After a pizza dinner
the first night, we got
off to a running start
with PRT early the next
morning to make sure
that everyone has
maintained a high level
of physical fitness and
that everyone will set
the example for 4/C
during the PT exercises
conducted for O-Week.
Among the busiest
people during O-Week
were the Troop
Handlers. We were all a
couple days away from
controlling every minute
of the day for a group of
twenty people. This was
a large responsibility that
required a significant
amount of training.
For me and other 3/C Midshipmen, it was strange to
be elevated to a position like Troop Handler when
only a few months earlier we were 4/C Midshipmen
ourselves. Spending a number of 2-3 hour sessions
with Gunnery Sergeant Salazar prepared us all for the
responsibility. As an experienced Drill Instructor, he
provided us with the
“dos” and “don’ts” of
this type of position.
By the time the new
Midshipmen arrived,
we felt well prepared
for the job.
While the Troop
Handlers received
their training, other
midshipmen
prepared for their
various roles as well.
The Drill Deck went
over everything they
would teach during
the week. Briefers
conducted practice
briefs that they would give during the week. Our
battalion leaders looked over schedules and plans
to ensure that everything would run smoothly.
O-Academy was a busy couple of days, but the
preparation definitely paid off in a successful O-Week.
O-Academy
by MIDN 3/C Fridley
BB
NN
LogBook2012_13.indd 16-17 5/1/13 9:43 PM

pressure made me more eager to succeed. Going into
the run portion of the PFT I knew I had to push myself.
Twelve laps around the track was a painful, lonely
run. However, what truly allowed me to succeed was
the support from fellow midshipmen. As fatigue was
setting in, I could hear my running mate, Ben Lalor,
cheering me on. Also, upper class midshipmen ran
alongside me to push me. This is when I knew I was
about to be a part of a battalion filled with people of
great character.
Overall, Orientation Week was a
great experience that showed
the current 4/C midshipmen
what it takes to be a part of the
University of Virginia’s Naval ROTC Unit. It was a rigorous,
demanding and challenging week that tested all of us
mentally and physically. When graduation day arrived,
we felt proud to put
on our whites and
show our friends
and family what we
had accomplished
in one short week.
We all knew we
were about to train
to become a part
of a community of
courageous and
selfless individuals.
Orientation Week
was what prepared
us all to become
Naval ROTC
midshipmen.
rientation Week was
a unique experience
that allowed all of
the 4/C midshipmen
to form a bond of
friendship, learn
integral Navy and Marine Corps
leadership traits and principles, and
overall, become acclimated
to the life of a Naval ROTC
midshipman at the
University of Virginia.
The experience
was a physical and
mental challenge
that tested our
dedication to
the program.
Although it was
difficult, it was
an exciting
week that
allowed all
of us to take
away
important
knowledge
that we will
need to utilize
throughout our
time in the
battalion and
when we are in the
Navy and Marine Corps
Throughout the week,
many of us continued to
look forward to graduation
day, however, as we look back
now, we all recall great memories.
The afternoon of day one began
with the upper class midshipmen
challenging our ability to maintain
bearing. As they entered the room
we were sitting in, they began
yelling out orders. I just remember
standing at attention focused
completely on the wall in front of
me. Luckily, I didn't receive as much
attention as some of the other
midshipmen had on the afternoon
of day one. This exercise was
what made me locked on for the
rest of the week. Truthfully, I was
unaware of the level of intensity
of Orientation Week. However,
as it began, I was excited for the
competitive environment.
Themostcompetitiveenvironments
were the drill-deck with the
drillmaster, Midshipman 2/C Baldwin,
the PRT and PFT tests, and
when we were woken up
each morning. These
three activities were
some of the main
moments that
created an
immediate bond
between the
4/C. These
experiences
were what
prepared me
most for my
life as a
Marine
me most for
my life as a
Marine-Option
midshipman.
My personal
e x p e r i e n c e
differed slightly
from that of
everyone else. As
the only 4/C Marine-
Option midshipman in the
battalion, members of the staff
and the upper class midshipmen
constantly demanded more of
me. The a d d e d
Orientation Week
by MIDN 4/C Berger
OO
Overall, Orientation Week was a
experience that showed the cur
midshipmen what it takes to
LogBook2012_13.indd 18-19 5/1/13 9:43 PM

veryone looks
forward to that
one special day
every year: cake
candles,
partying...no, not
your birthday, it’s
the United States Navy’s birthday!
On October 13th, 1775 the
Continental Congress established
our Navy. At UVA, we honor this
special day with the Navy Birthday
Celebration. This year, the event
was conducted differently than
in previous years. Instead of a
sit-down dinner with just our unit
and various special guests, it was
a cocktail hour at nearby Balkan
Bistro with heavy hors d’oeuvres
and midshipmen were allowed
to bring dates or friends. The
atmosphere was conversational
and relaxed as midshipmen had
the opportunity to mingle with
each other and members of the
community.
Waiters roved
around all night
with appetizers
that included
mini quiche,
cheeses, and
sausages.
Although we
went in a new
direction this
year, the
traditional -
cake-cutting
ceremony was
not forgotten.
The ceremony
consists of the
oldest and
youngest sailor
cutting the cake
with a sword, and our very own
MIDN 4/C Guinn received this honor
as the youngest sailor present. This
ritual is symbolic of both the old and
new traditions we have in the Navy;
we don't want to lose the deep-
rooted traditions, yet we welcome
the younger generations of sailors
and the new ideas they bring. As
guests devoured their cake, the
CNO’s annual video speech was
projected in the front of the venue.
I loved watching the speech
because of the renewed motivation
and purpose I felt after hearing the
words of such an accomplished
Naval Officer.
One of the main highlights of the
night was hearing from the Guest of
Honor, Warrant Officer Renner. He
began his career
as an enlisted sailor,
and went on to
become a SEAL
and to advance
to the rank of
Warrant Officer.
Seeing personal
photos and hearing
stories about his
time in combat
nothing short of
inspirational for all
guest in attendance,
especially our
midshipmen with
special warfare
aspirations.
The ceremony
concluded with
traditional toasts
and the playing of "Anchor’s
Aweigh”. Then the evening drew
to a close, and each person in
attendance receive a scotch
glass memento as a parting gift. The
Navy Birthday Celebration was one
of the highlights of Fall Semester!
n 22 September
2012, the battalion
executed its annual
Fall Field Exercise
(FEX) at Fort Pickett in
Blackstone, Virginia.
The purpose of the
FEX was to develop confidence
and leadership as well as building
camaraderie within the battlaion
This year's Fall FEX had two main
events: the Confidence Course
and the Leadership Reaction
Course (LRC). The Confidence
Course is a 2.5-mile long
obstacle course designedto test
a person’s physical and mental
capabilities by having them
complete challenging and
sometimes intimidating obstacles
like the “Confidence Climb"
(an obstacle where a person
has to climb up and over a tall
vertical ladder) and the “Tough
One” (here, a person must climb
a rope, move across planks, climb
up an A-frame and down a cargo
net). The Confidence Course was
conducted at the platoon level to
build cohesion within the platoon
and give platoon commanders
and squad leaders a chance to
further develop their leadership
style.
After having MREs
for lunch, the
battalion moved
to the Leadership
Reaction Course
and was divided
into fire teams of
4-5 midshipmen
from all different
classes. The
course allowed
everyone the
chance to lead
a fire team.
Every station
involved a
difficult task
with a variety of obstacles, time
constraints, and limited supplies.
These tasks ranged from moving
ammunition cans over a body of
water, using only barrels and a few
planks, to crossing a "minefield."
The purpose of these stressful and
thought-provoking scenarios
wasn’t to see if the mission was
accomplished, but to see how
midshipmen responded as leaders
in a demanding environment with
subordinates to take care of.
This year’s Fall Field Exercise was a
huge success. A-1 Platoon was in
charge of its planning, preparation,
and execution. The entire Battalion
enjoyed a day of PT, character
and leadership building, MREs, and
camaraderie- a good day for any
midshipmen.
Fall Field
Exercise
(FEX)
by MIDN 2/C Chang
OO
Navy Birthday Celebration
By MIDN 3/C Van Beek
EE
LogBook2012_13.indd 20-21 5/1/13 9:43 PM

he Nurse Corps Symposium
was hosted by Marquette
University’s NROTC unit
from 09Nov-11Nov2012 with
midshipmen from all around
the country in attendance
to learn more about the
Navy Nurse Corps. This symposium was
tremendously helpful because NROTC units
do not have a nurse option staff member,
which can make it hard for nursing
midshipmen to learn what their lives will
really be like.
The director of the Navy Nurse Corps made
a video specifically for the symposium
telling us how excited she was that we were
having it. Seven Nurse Corps Officers from
around the country came to speak about
their experiences. To me, the speeches by
Ensign Gillette and and Nurse Corps Detailer
L i e u t e n a n t
Commander (LCDR) Gomez were e s p e c i a l l y
pertinent. ENS Gillette is a pediatric nurse who works at
Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. She spoke about
a life as an ensign, which as a 1/C is just around the
corner for me! LCDR Gomez, a critical care nurse who
worked with the Marines, provided v a l u a b l e
information on figuring out where to go for our first duty
stations.
LCDR Hutchinson, an obstetrics nurse, talked
about Duty Under Instructions (DUINS), a
program that provides Navy funding for three
years of graduate work in nursing, a great
opportunity which I am certainly looking into.
At the end of the briefs, there was a panel
of all of the speakers for the midshipmen to
ask questions and a catered dinner offered
another opportunity for midshipmen to mingle
and network.
Midshipmen Fuller and I were very grateful to
be the first from the UVA NROTC Unit to attend
the symposium. The symposium is a great tool
for nurse option midshipmen and I hope that
our unit will continue to send representatives!
Nurse Corps Symposium
By MIDN 1/C Cruz
Oh hey, TJ. Even at Marquette, Mr. Jefferson makes an impact.
MIDN Cruz and I had the opportunity to meet nurse
options from all over the country at the Navy Nursing
Symposium at Marquette University.
–MIDN 3/c Fuller
TT
ometimes it’s hard to explain exactly what
we do in the NROTC program to family
members, especially relatives with no
military background. Family Weekend is a
great way for families to come see what
their kids have been doing during their time
in the unit. The event is mostly geared toward parents
of 4/c midshipmen, who get the chance to show off
their new drill skills. This year my platoon was in charge
of the event, so rather than having my parents come
visit, I had the chance to work behind the scenes and
see how the whole weekend was orchestrated.
Most of the preparation for this event was done the
morning of. We got food from the caterer, set up for
the ceremony in the amphitheater, and prepared
Maury Hall, the main NROTC building, for the incoming
parents. Midshipmen gave tours to family members
of the
midshipmen.
This gave
parents and
siblings the
opportunity to
look around
the building
where we
all spend so
much of our
time. They got
to see rooms such as the Navigation Room, where Naval
Science classes are held, and the lounge, located
in the basement. The lounge is a great place for
midshipmen to nap on the couches or watch TV, and it
makes Maury
feel like more
of a social
place than
an academic
building. Parents also had
the chance to see the Computer
Room and Ward Room, frequent study spots for
midshipmen during the week.
After the tours, the parents were moved to the
amphitheater. MIDN Fuller sang the Star Spangled
Banner, and other upper class
midshipmen marched as the color
guard while the fourth class drilled
under the command of MIDN Baldwin.
Parents now had the chance to
see how their kids’ drill abilities had
improved since they last saw them
at the Orientation Week graduation
ceremony. This was also many
parents’ first time seeing their children
march with rifles. The drill went well,
and afterwards everyone was invited
to the Ward Room afterwards for
refreshments. It’s really important for
family members, parents especially,
to know that their college students
are being taken care of and are
continuing to grow. Family Weekend
not only educates them about the
NROTC program as a whole, but
also gives them the peace of mind
of knowing that their student has a
place where they belong. This year, the event was a
major success with perfect weather, and the parents
were impressed not only with their children, but with the
unit as a whole.
Family Weekend
by MIDN 3/C Orr
SS NAVAL RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS
V
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
NAVAL ROTC
Family WeekendOctober 27, 2012
You Are CordiallyInvited to...
LogBook2012_13.indd 22-23 5/1/13 9:43 PM

n Friday, November 9th, UVA NROTC
hosted its annual Marine Corps
Birthday Ball in celebration of the
237th birthday of the Marine Corps.
As in years past, this year’s Ball was
held at King Family Vineyards in
Crozet, VA. The Marine Corps Ball
marks one of the few times each
year that Naval ROTC staff, midshipmen,
and active-duty and retired guests are able to gather
together not only to pay tribute to the Marine Corps,
but also to socialize outside of the unit. Midshipmen
also bring dates, which allows our fellow students a
peek into unit life.
The evening
began with a
traditional cake-
cutting ceremony,
the reading of
General Lejuene's
original birthday
message, and
remarks by the
Guest of Honor,
General Robert
Robert Magnus.
A UVA alumnus
and a former
Assistant
Commandant
of the Marine
Corps, General
Magnus focused
his speech on
the Marine Corps
core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and
emphasized that, as future officers, the midshipmen
owed these values to the men and women that
they would one day command. Select midshipmen
participated in this ceremony as the sword detail
and cake escorts, and Colonel Larry Brown and Staff
Sergeant Charlie Coulter rounded out the crew as the
oldest and youngest Marines, respectively. Following
the ceremony, everyone enjoyed a buffet dinner and
a night of dancing.
The Marine Corps Ball remains one of UVA NROTC’s
largest events, and thanks to the generosity of the King
family and the hard work of several midshipmen and
Unit staff, this year’s Ball went down as one more in a
long line of successful celebrations of the history of the
United States Marine Corps.
237th
Marine Corps Birthday Ball
by MIDN 3/C Baldwin
oys for Tots is a nation-wide annual toy
drive, run by the United States Marine Corps
Reserve, which seeks to help needy families
achieve a sense of normalcy during the
holiday season by providing toys for their
children. Our
battalion's
participation
in Toys for Tots
to raise money
and collect
toys for the
Charlottesville
community
has become a
favorite unit
tradition that
not only
supports a great
cause, but also
raises our
morale.
Many other
organizations
around grounds
set up tables to raise money or
tell their fellow students about
an upcoming event, but I
like to think we take it to a
whole new level. At our table
outside of Maury, we have
Christmas carols blaring and
midshipmen either in uniform or
in costume—as Santa Claus or
an elf. Midshipmen often pass
their hour-long shifts away by
inventing crazy slogans to yell
out at passersby. “Spread some cheer, donate to Toys
for Tots here!” “Don’t be a Grinch, help a kid in a pinch!”
And “Donate to toys for tots, you’ll make a child smile
lots and lots!” were just a few of the perennial favorites.
Some of our midshipmen in costumes have even been
known to start dancing or singing carols—working hard
to earn every extra dollar from the occasional Ebenezer
Scrooge. Even if people don’t have cash or don’t want
to donate, we’re spreading
the word about Toys for Tots
and Christmas joy within the
UVA community.
In addition
to our usual
table outside
of Maury, this
year we also
c o l l e c t e d
donations at
the Lighting
of the Lawn,
and set up a
new table
outside of
Thornton
Hall, with help
from our
future fellow
officers from
Air Force and
Army ROTC.
Midshipmen also
volunteered their
weekends to set up a
donation table at K-Mart.
Thankstoeveryone’shard
work, this year turned out
to be a record success:
over 100 toys and $2,600
were collected.
Toys For Tots
by MIDN 2/C Senerchia
100 TOYS
& $2,600
COLLECTED!
TT
LogBook2012_13.indd 24-25 5/1/13 9:43 PM

he USNA Leadership Conference was a very
educationalandrewardingexperience.The
Naval Academy generously provided two
other midshipmen and myself with lodging
and food in Annapolis for the entire four-
day event, along with a personal escort to
show us around the Yard. We stayed at the Loews hotel
with the other invitees of the conference – midshipmen
and leadership students from around the country and
the world. The structure of the conference consisted of
lectures from prominent business and military leaders
in the morning, group discussion or Yard tours in the
afternoon, and a nice dinner with additional speakers
in the evening.
The speakers at the conference included Louis Freeh,
former director of the CIA; Colonel Arthur Athens,
director of the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership;
LSU Coach Dale Brown (Basketball Coach Hall of
Famer); Susan Chambers, Executive Vice President
of Wal-Mart; Ronald Spears, Senior Executive Vice
President of AT&T; and Navy Lieutenant Brad Snyder,
Wounded Warrior, former EOD, and Paralympic gold
medalist and swimmer. Lieutenant Brad Snyder’s talk,
the last one of the conference, left the greatest impact
on me. His inspirational story of tragedy, optimism, and
strength is truly incredible and sets an example for all
of us.
It was a privilege to hear from leaders with such
impressive resumes. In addition to the experience of the
conference itself, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the
Naval Academy and the city of Annapolis. The college
and the city were very old, beautiful, and rooted in
naval traditions and history. I had a great time meeting
the other midshipmen and students and learning from
the incredible and diverse lecturers at the event. The
USNA Leadership Conference is a very worthwhile
experience and I would encourage any midshipman
with the opportunity to attend to do so.
United States Naval Academy
Leadership Conference
by MIDN 1/C O’Dwyer
TT
“The USNA Leadership Conference was a great way to
meet other midshipmen and hear from great speakers and
was a very rewarding experience.”
-MIDN 1/C Blaha
he battalion has had
the opportunity to
host many great
guest speakers
the course of the
year. In the fall,
guest speakers
from a host of communities
such as Submarine Warfare,
Engineering Duty, and Surface
Nuclear gave brief overviews of
their respective community, the
requirements, and the benefits
of joining. Because unit staff only
contains officers from unrestricted
line communities, hearing from
thesemorespecializedcommunities
was helpful in giving us a sense of
the many paths we can take in the
Navy and what is out there.
Later in the fall semester, the
battalion was pleased to welcome
ADM John C. Harvey to the
Charlottesville area after his
retirement as the Commander of
U.S. Fleet Forces Command. ADM
Harvey spoke about leadership and
the evolution of the Navy. He shared
many of his experiences in the Navy,
ranging from a being a midshipman
to being an Admiral, and reflected
on how certain events during his
career transformed him as a leader.
A few midshipmen also had the
opportunity to attend a luncheon
where Admiral Harvey spoke as well
and interact with veterans in the
local community.
Just before Winter Break, the
battalion had the privilege of
welcoming Master Chief Petty
Officer of the Navy (MCPON),
MCPON Michael D. Stevens to
discuss his views on leadership and
his path to becoming the MCPON.
He discussed born and
made leaders and
discussed how we can all
do little things like staying
informed and taking
an interest in people to
improve our leadership
skills.
Rear Admiral Kevin M.
“Kid” Donegan’s visit
was a highlight of the
spring semester drill
periods. RADM Donegan
is Director of Warfare
Integration and he spoke
to the battalion on the future of the
Navy. One of the best parts about
guest speakers is the opportunity
to ask questions at the end of their
brief and at the bagel breakfast in
the Wardroom following drill.
In addition to hearing from current
and former Naval officers, we also
had the opportunity to
hear the insights of
civilian experts. In the fall,
we welcomed Howard
Hoege, Assitant Dean of
the Frank Batten School
of Public Policy at UVa
speak about his combat
experience in the Middle
East as an Army officer. In
addition to simply telling
us his stories, he gave us
hypothetical situations
that challenged us to
think of how we would
respond as leaders. In the
spring semester, the Battalion had
a guest lecture from an expert on
Islam and the Middle East. This brief
provided valuable background
information on the history of Islam,
its sects, and the evolution of
radical Islam as well as resolving
many common misconceptions.
The numerous guest speakers the
battalion has had the opportunity
to host this year have given
midshipmen great insight on the
Navy that awaits after graduation.
We really appreciate the time and
advice they have shared with us
(and the relief from the usual GMTs)!
Guest Speakers
by MIDN 4/C Unger
TT
“The finance brief was a great learning
experience on how to manage money
effectively. Ms. Bonding shared with us the
benefits of starting a Roth IRA early and
I will definitely be looking in to creating
one soon.”
-MIDN 3/C Foley
LogBook2012_13.indd 26-27 5/1/13 9:43 PM

n today’s military, our
operations are guided by an
idea of a Joint Strike Force.
Though the branches of the
military are separated in
our roles, all three still work
towards a common goal in
defending the United States
of America and support each
other in every objective
pursuant to that goal.
Here at UVA, we clearly
aren’t on the front lines
working to directly
protect the nation, but
we also haven’t forgotten
the importance of a
joint military effort.
Throughout the semester
we have strived to work
together with the ROTC’s
of the other branches
in order to remind us
that we're all fighting on the same
team and to instill that sense of
camaraderiethatissointegraltoour
military today. One of the highlights
of the semester was the Tri-Service
competition in which all three UVA
ROTC Units (Navy, Air force, Army)
came together for a day of fierce
competition and an opportunity to
see what each other unit was
all about. We opened the day
at 0900 with a Physical Training
(PT) competition in which
each unit put together their
best, nearly herculean, PTers.
The gruesome physical trial
consisted of a push-up/sit-up
challenge, mile run, a movement
under fire exercise, medley of
partner exercises, stair sprints,
and finally, pull-ups. Those who
did not participate played an
intense, service versus service
paintball game in the woods
of O-Hill.
Afterwards all of the groups
reunited at Nameless Field for
matches of flag football and
sand volleyball, but first Coach
Mike London, the head coach
of UVA Football, came to speak with
us, giving an inspiring message
about teamwork and dedication.
Using football metaphors, he spoke
to us about the importance of
completing the task at hand and
challenging ourselves, but urged us
to ever forget the person next to us.
He stressed that no matter whether
we're on the front lines of a war
zone, flying recon, or launching
jets off a U.S. Navy carrier, we are
still a part of the same team and
must strive to support one another.
The football and volleyball games
were ferocious as the spirit of
competition and camaraderie
fueled our thirst for victory
because after all, what’s the
point in playing if you’re not going
to strive to win? Before we knew
it, the day was over and cadets
and midshipmen conversed over
burgers, hotdogs, and cake while
anxiously awaiting the results of
the day’s competition. All waited
in suspense as MIDN Freeburg,
one of the main organizers of
the competition, announced the
results. To the delight of UVA Naval
ROTC, we emerged victorious and
proudly returned to Maury Hall with
our heads held high and first place
trophy in hand.
The Tri-Service competition was a
great success, but our joint
cooperation doesn’t stop
there. Throughout the semester
midshipmen and cadets alike
have participated in numerous
charitable events in support of
each other’s philanthropies. These
include efforts towards Toys-4-Tots,
Operation Flag the Lawn in support
of Wounded Warriors, a blood
drive for the Armed Services Blood
Program, and many other events
all working towards developing a
sense of community between the
UVA ROTC units.
It was a great year as we made
giant strides in connecting the joint
force of UVA ROTC, and we hope
to continue these efforts to an even
greater extent in years to come.
Tri-Service Events
by MIDN 1/C Mills
THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA NROTC28 2012 - 2013 H THE LOG BOOK 29
II
n 23 March 2013, guests from the
Charlottesville community, and our
guest-of-honor, Rear Admiral Brian C.
Prindle, joined our unit for a formal Dining
out. Dining Out is a naval tradition that
began as a celebration among a unit and their spouses
after a successful battle or a long voyage. The tradition
continues today, and aims to build camaraderie within
a unit outside of the typical military setting.
The evening began with a cocktail hour, during which
midshipmen, officers, and their guests arrived at Ern
Commons and were able to greet one another and
mingle before the ceremonial portion of the evening
began. Mr. President, MIDN 1/C Weisskopf, called
everyone to order, and the “parading of the beef”
began. Mr. Vice, MIDN 1/C
Greensmith, tasted the
beeftodeterminewhether
or not it was fit for human
consumption. Throughout
the meal, guests ate and
enjoyed the company of
those seated near them,
butunderthewatchfuleye
of Mr. Vice, who was
carefully observing
and recording any
violations of the
“Rules of the Mess”
in order to dole out
fines later in the
night.
Following the meal,
Rear Admiral Prindle
gave his remarks, and then the toasts and fines began.
Mr. Vice called out the “egregious” violations and
crimes committed throughout the night, referring
the offending Midshipmen to Mr. President in order
for just punishment to be awarded. The punishments
included various visits to the grog bowl, the singing
of the Navy and Marine Corps Hymns, dancing, and
the shaving off of MIDN 4/C Kennedy’s mustache.
Throughout the evening, MIDN 3/C McCarthy would
regularly stand on his chair and announce the time,
preceding his announcements with the appropriate
number of “dings” that would be made by a clock. For
disregarding professionalism and making a more-than-
minor change to his uniform, namely donning brown
leather cowboy boots, MIDN 2/C Baldwin earned a
trip to the grog bowl. MIDN 1/C Freeburg was made to
imitate a jet, sounds included, by “flying” around the
dining area. In a battle to determine the better twin,
both MIDN 3/C Michael and Kevin Foley went head-
to-head in a battle to tell the best joke. The matching
bowties of MIDN 4/C Mettenburg and MIDN 4/C Unger
earned both a trip to the
grog bowl as well. MIDN
1/C Mills was called out
for failing to adequately
prepare with readings for
his Naval Science classes.
There were several dancing
performances, given by
MIDN 2/C Donaldson
and MIDN 4/C Getty, and
MIDN 2/C Cypher found
himself rapping. The Marine Option Platoon displayed its
comraderie and unity when MIDN 4/C Berger was told
to stand on his chair and sing the Marine Corps Hymn
as punishment, and the entire platoon subsequently
joined in. MIDN 4/C Eric Bowden and MIDN 4/C Taylor
Bowden were able to break from the typical tough-guy
attitudes displayed in their multiple work-out videos,
and show a softer side by singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little
Star. Finally, in a last-minute effort to bring Unit Staff in
on the fun, an attempt was made to fine Lieutenant
Anglin for failing to bring his wife to the event and thus
depriving a table of what was sure to be excellent
conversation; however, Mr. President wisely declared
that the evening had already concluded, and thus no
punishment would be given.
Overall, Dining Out was a great opportunity for the
members of different classes and Unit Staff to build
bonds in a professional, yet very lighthearted and
entertaining atmosphere. The night laid the foundations
for what will likely become a tradition in years to come
within the NROTC unit at the University of Virginia.
Dining Out by MIDN 4/C Cox
OO
LogBook2012_13.indd 28-29 5/1/13 9:43 PM

aking up at 0530
is no new
e x p e r i e n c e
for UVA
m i d s h i p m e n .
All fourth-class
m i d s h i p m e n
have devoted
each Friday morning this year to
platoon drill, practicing through
warm, through cold, and through
enough snow to make us wonder
if we’d accidentally gone to the
University of Alaska. However,
finding ourselves on a
gym floor bundled in
sleeping bags at 0530
was a new experience.
Such was our awakening on a
day we had anticipated all year:
the Villanova Drill and Military
Excellence Competition.
We hardly had a moment to shake
the influence of slumber before
we found ourselves back on that
gym floor, this time formed up in
uniform, ready for inspection. For
those of us who could still
feel sleep’s tight grasp on
our faculties, the yells of
the inspecting Gunnery
Sergeant quickly obliterated
its hold and brought us to
an unmistakable state of
alertness. Despite various
mistakes, we Wahoos
remained calm and
collected, earning third
place in platoon inspection
and a trophy to bring home.
Following inspection, the
team was evaluated on its
execution of basic platoon
drill. Under the command of
MIDN 2/C Baldwin, we gave
a fine display of drill skill that
made those Fridays worth it.
Several midshipmen also
represented UVA in some
of the competition’s
numerous other events.
In the drill competition,
Midshipman 2/C Donaldson
commanded a squad of
fourth-class in squad basic
drill, and Midshipman
3/C Sloat and his team
overcame last minute
learning of complicated
movements to compete
successfully in the Color
Guard category.
In recent years, Villanova has also
added a Military Excellence and
Athletics Competition, featuring
a host of running and swimming
relays, as well as combat-fitness
oriented events. A handful of
upperclass midshipmen competed
in the Distance Medley race in the
morning, and Midshipmen Bowden
(E), Bowden (T), Chen, and Berger
made UVA’s first appearance in
the Tactical Assault event, working
as a fire-team with rifles to make
their way across a football field,
without being “killed” by the
enemy. The team of the Bowden
twins, Midshipman 2/C Cypher,
and Midshipman 4/C Hale, placed
first in their heat of the BUDs Seal
challenge. Every year our presence
in these events has increased, a
trend that will hopefully continue.
Each midshipman performed well
and appreciated the challenge
of a multi-unit competition far
from grounds. Villanova proved to
be an enjoyable and rewarding
experience, partly because of the
opportunity to bond with fellow UVA
students while meeting midshipmen
from other schools, and also
because of the pride that comes
with adding a little weight to the
shelves of trophies in Maury Hall’s
Wardroom.
Villanova Drill &
Military Excellence
Competition
by MIDN 4/C Boelsche
“Our time at Villanova provided great
camaraderie with other midshipmen. Not just
with the drill competition, but with the other
competitions as well. It’s definitely a weekend
that I’ll remember.” - MIDN 4/C Bowden, E-
WW
Navy DEEG-Ball:
Philanthropy Dodgeball Tournament
by MIDN 4/C Guinn
ate in second semester,
the NROTC battalion
teamed up with Delta
Gamma sorority to host a
dodge ball tournament
at the Dell Basketball
Courts. All the proceeds
went to benefit the Service for Sight
Foundation to help support the men
and women of the Armed Forces who
have suffered eye injuries. Everyone was really
excited about this event. Leading up to the
tournament, one of our platoons painted Beta
Bridge to get the word out about it. The girls
from Delta Gamma also set up tables to help
gin up interest as well. The event was a huge
success, and everyone there had a great time.
The weather was perfect, and there was plenty
of dodge ball, loud music, and burgers straight
off the grill for everyone to enjoy. Teams from
several fraternities and sororities around campus
showed up, as well as a few teams from our
own battalion. Everyone seemed to enjoy the
fast-paced games, as well as spending time
with friends and getting to know people from all
the other teams. We managed to raise several
hundred dollars for the foundation as well, and
one of our own battalion teams even won the
tournament. Overall, the philanthropy dodge
ball event was a great time—everyone had
fun playing dodge ball and socializing and
we raised a bunch of money to help a great
cause. I really enjoyed it and I hope we get
to take part in more events like this in the future.
LL
“This year’s philanthropy was the most successful event we’ve held
in my time at UVA. Teaming up with another organization really
helped in getting people excited about it and the idea of a dodgeball
tournament was excellent. I hope we continue to hold these events
on a more consistent basis because everyone enjoys them!”
–MIDN 2/C Ballato
LogBook2012_13.indd 30-31 5/1/13 9:43 PM

nApril20th,2013,thefirstclassmidshipmen
and unit staff members attended the
annual Dining-In ceremony. Dining-In is a
formal ceremony that is a longstanding
Navy tradition designed to be light-
hearted and boost camaraderie within a
unit.
Due to the construction that is currently
taking place on the Rotunda, this year’s Dining-In was
held in the Solarium room at the Colonnade Club. The
evening started with a cocktail hour outside in the
garden, where midshipmen and unit staff members
enjoyed the nice weather and shared stories about
the last four years.
Dinner began with the parading of the beef and the
playing of bagpipes. After the meat was declared
“fit for human consumption”, the meal was served.
The Battalion commanding officer, MIDN Weisskopf
served as president of the mess, while MIDN Maloney
assumed the role of
the vice president, or
Mr. Vice. Mr. Vice’s job
for the evening is to
enforce the rules and
traditions of the mess,
and recommend
punishments for
anyone who violates
them.
After dinner
concluded, formal
toasts were made
and punishments
were dolled out to
the offenders of the
mess. Everyone got a kick out of watching
midshipmen be forced to sing and dance or
take trips to the grog bowl. LT Seth Ervin, an
SH-60 pilot and UVA alumnus, was the guest
of honor for the night. LT Ervin delivered a very
inspiring speech about his career in the Navy, leaving
the first-class midshipmen eager to start their careers.
The night came to an end with the presentation of gag
gifts and watching the 1/C slideshow. After leaving
the Colonnade Club,
the 1/C gathered at the
steps of the Rotunda
to share cigars and
reminisce one last time
before calling it a night.
It was a truly memorable
event that no one will
soon forget.
Dining In
by MIDN 1/C Blaha
ednesday night
has come again.
Despite having
what seems
like mounds of
homework due
the following day, I’m preparing my
uniform—shining my shoes, making
sure there are no wrinkles or “train
tracks” on my uniform, and making
sure my nametag is ¼ inch above
the front pocket, since last week we
were in SDBs, but Word says we’re in
khakis tomorrow. The whole process
generally doesn’t take much time,
except when I am preparing for
Inspections, when it consumes in
excess of two hours, as I must make
sure that everything—shoes, cover,
pants—are as close to perfect as
possible.
After uniform
prep, I turn in
around 0100 and
set my alarm for
around 0615 for
0700 drill. As I
get out of bed,
I groan—still sore
from that intense
circuit course
PT on Tuesday.
The time buffer
ensures that I will not be rushed in
putting on my uniform and will arrive
at Maury for drill no later than 0645,
because even though we won’t
start until 0700, in ROTC, if you’re not
15 minutes early, you’re late.
At 0700 sharp, we assemble outside
of Maury for the presentation of
colors and then all midshipmen
are reviewed by their platoon
c o m m a n d e r s
to ensure that
everyone is
within uniform
and grooming
regulations. It is
all to prepare
us for the Final
Inspection at
the end of
the semester,
where each
midshipman is
reviewed by a
member of Unit
Staff.
Following colors,
we file into Maury for a General
Military Training (GMT) presentation
on safe driving. GMT briefs cover
a variety of topics
and often guest
speakers brief
the battalion on
different aspects of
the Navy life and
different career
paths. Once drill is
over, we wear our
uniform around
grounds for the rest
of the day, which
means we as 4/C
must always be on the lookout for
platoon commanders, battalion
staff, and Unit staff members to
salute, lest we forget and face the
wrath of an upperclassman.
On Thursday afternoon, it’s time
for Naval Science. For first years,
it’s Introduction to Naval Science
taught by Lieutenant May. We get a
basic rundown of all the unrestricted
line communities of the Navy and
learn how to identify ranks, ships,
planes, and more. Finally, as COB
draws nigh, I’m anxious to be able
to change out of my uniform, since
those pesky shirt-stays are really
starting to dig into my leg. Once I
do, I’m back to being a regular
college student again—not MIDN
4/C Mettenburg, but just Conor. That
is, at least until tomorrow morning
at 0515 to go to “field day,” where
4/C midshipmen clean Maury Hall,
polishing, dusting, vacuuming,
and mopping. We make the best
of it though, as someone always
brings an iHome and iPod so we
can jam-out while we clean. Once
we’re done with that, it’ll be time
to grab our rifles and meet our drill
instructors, under whose tutelage
we learn the lefts, rights and ups
and downs (quite literally) of rifle
manual and precision drill every
Friday morning from 0630-to 0800.
But all of that’s tomorrow, and for
now I’m happy to have made it
through another drill day.
A Day in the Life of a 4/C Midshipman
by MIDN 4/C Mettenburg
WW
OO
LogBook2012_13.indd 32-33 5/1/13 9:43 PM

he first day in the life of a third-class
is a glorious day. You are no longer a
fourth-class! You made it through all the
uncomfortable growing pains of being a
new midshipman, not to mention Friday
morning drill. You get to put on your first
stripe, revel in your new leadership position,
and feel like you earned your place in the battalion.
The second day in the life of a third-class midshipman
is a reality check. You realize that being a squad
leader is more than just a title. Not only do you have
to worry about
yourself, as you
did last year,
but you have to
worry about all
of the mistakes
that five other
m i d s h i p m e n
might make. You
are particularly
c o n c e r n e d
about the new
fourth-class. Are
you telling me I
have to teach them how to do morning colors?! I only
just learned to do that myself!
Before you know it, you have Initial Inspection and
a calculus midterm the next day, and your platoon
commander just informed you that you have to make
place-cards for the Marine Corps Birthday by COB.
After class, you rush over to Maury Hall to start printing
the place cards. In the meantime, you start studying
your knowledge so you can quiz your squad at pre-
inspection. Right before pre-inspection, the printer
runs out of ink! You dash out to your car,
drive to Staples to get some more ink, and
make it back just in time. You nitpick all
of your squad’s uniforms and teach the
fourth-class midshipmen how to handle
inspection. You then get them to help
you with the place cards (the joys of
delegation!). After they are all done, you
head home to prep your own uniform and
try to make sense of partial derivatives. The
next morning you wake up at 0530 to get
ready for inspection. The inspector asks
you to recite all of your squad members’
hometowns. You just barely manage to
rattle them off. Whew! Passed Inspection!
Now for that calculus test...
A Day in the Life of a 3/C Midshipman
by MIDN 3/C Costelloe
TT
Squad Leader MIDN 3/C Orr and
MIDN 1/C Greensmith converse during drill.
Back at O-Week, newly minted 3/c
MIDN show off their shoulder boards.
MIDN 3/C Sibilla
shines her shoes
the night before a
Thursday morning
drill period.
MIDN 3/C Fuller,
Green, and
Redman at
clinical.
MIDN 3/C Hough
inspects her squad
during drill.
“As a 3/c midshipman, it is a pleasure leading 4/C
midshipmen while still seeking advice and wisdom from the
upper class midshipmen.” –MIDN 3/C Green
A Day In The Life Of A 2/C Midshipman
by MIDN 2/C Warner
By the time
you have
reached the
status of a 2/C
midshipman,
you feel like
you have got it made. You
are halfway done with your
ROTC career and you are
only inferior to the 1/C, who
always seem to be sick
with “senioritis,” and never
seem to be around. The
underclassmen look at you
like some divine creature as
you strut your way through Maury
Hall. There is nothing that can bring
you down.
It only takes a few weeks of school
before reality sets in and your head
has shrunk back to its normal size.
Third year at the University of Virginia
is much more demanding than
you expected. Your evenings are
consumed by term papers, group
projects, and problem sets that
are so confusing they might as well
have been written in gibberish. That
leadership position you took in your
extracurricular activity is starting to
take its toll as your inbox is flooded
with countless
requests and
events need to be
organized. On top of
all this, you have your
ROTC commitments.
You still have to
show up to drill,
PT, and plan your
Operation Order
for the battalion.
It’s a never-ending
cycle as the number
of hours you sleep
each night steadily
decline. You feel as
though you are in
a black hole of work and
responsibility.
Finally, you see something
that puts you over the edge.
You see a 4/C walk into
the Computer Room. His
shoes are dull, his nametag
is missing, and his haircut
screams “out of regs”. You
approach the midshipman,
readytocorrecthisegregious
uniform violations and
release all your frustration.
Suddenly, you notice his
face, and you can see that
he is stressed. You realize
he is signing up for classes
and has no idea what to
take. It hits you that what
he needs is not scolding,
but guidance. You can let
his squad leader play the
bad cop. You sit down with
him and teach him what
you have learned over the
past two years and guide
him through the process. It is these
moments that remind you why you
joined Naval ROTC. You want to be
a leader. These moments make you
realize that in the end, all that hard
work will be worth it.
BB
“2/c year is a big transition year; this is
the year you get more involved with the
leadership and execution of major events.
It is really challenging, but also rewarding.
It definitely helps shape us as growing
leaders.”
-MIDN 2/C Senerchia
LogBook2012_13.indd 34-35 5/1/13 9:43 PM

A Day In The Life Of A 1/C Midshipman
by MIDN 1/C Blaha
eing a first-class
midshipman can
be both rewarding
and challenging.
You have finally
worked your way
from the bottom of the totem
pole, all the way to the top. Being
the most senior members of the
midshipman battalion has its perks.
Underclassmen look up to you
and treat you with more respect.
Underclassmen are quick to pick
the brains of the first-class if they
have questions about the way something should be
done. Unit staff tends to start treating you as a young
officer rather than just a lowly midshipman.
With great power comes great responsibility,
however. As a first-class midshipman, you are just
months away from being a commissioned officer.
That is a feeling that is hard to fathom back when
you were a fourth-class, fresh out of high school.
The expectations of first-class are much higher than
the rest of the battalion. First-class are charged
with running the day-to-day operations of the
midshipman battalion, planning weekly drill events,
and ensuring that the underclassmen are performing
up to expected standards. This can
be a full-time job on its own, but when
you consider that the first-class still
have a full course load of classes as
well, it can seem overwhelming. After
four years of training in leadership and
management, this is what you have
been preparing for.
At the start of the fall semester,
commissioning and graduation still
seem a long ways off. The fall semester
is always busy and winter break seems
like it will never arrive. When you arrive
back in Charlottesville for the spring,
you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The
spring semester starts to fly by right before your eyes
and before you know it, you are sending out invitations
to commissioning. Everything you have worked hard for
the last four years starts to become a reality. The first-
class have no doubt that their time here at UVA has
adequately prepared them to be Naval officers and
are eager to hit the fleet at the end of May.
BB
MIDN 1/c Cruz locked
on at inspection.
First class midshipmen
celebrate after receiving
their service selections
this fall.
MIDN 1/C Freeburg changes command of the battalion
with MIDN 1/C Weisskopf.
“Being Battalion Commander was definitely
the defining leadership experience of college.”
- MIDN 1/C Freeburg
he Marine
O p t i o n
( M O )
Platoon is
made up
of a fire
team of four
motivated midshipmen
(MIDN 2/C Baldwin,
MIDN 2/C Donaldson,
MIDN 3/C Hough, and
MIDN 4/C Berger) who
have earned a United
States Marine Corps
Scholarship. While we
participate in Drill and
PT along side our Navy
peers, our path to commissioning is unique
and contains additional challenges. To
maintain our combat fitness, we have
additional PT sessions on Monday and
Wednesday and on Tuesday afternoons
we have class to learn land navigation,
mapping, effective mission briefing, and
other skills. In the spring, we put what we have
learned into practice by conducting squad
assaultsatnearbyObservatoryHill. Thisallculminates
with a twenty-four hour field-training
exercise (FEX) held at the end of the
semester where we get invaluable
leadership experience controlling a
squad during combat against live
aggressors with paintball guns. All of
this training is critical in preparing us
for Officer Candidate School (OCS)
in Quantico, Virginia. All Marine
Option midshipman must be able to
graduate from OCS in the summer
before their final year of college
in order to commission as Marine
officers. This year is very unusual
because we do not have any first-
class Marine Option midshipmen,
who, having just graduated from
OCS, can provide guidance and lead the
training and development of the rest of the
platoon. However, this has given our second-
class midshipmen an additional leadership
opportunity by giving them the chance to be
Platoon Commander earlier than normal.
Small but might, the Marine Option Platoon will
continue to develop and produce successful
Marine Officers.
Marine Option Platoon
by MIDN 3/C Hough
TT
LogBook2012_13.indd 36-37 5/1/13 9:43 PM

MIDN Bible Study
by MIDN 4/C Bowden, E
IDN Bible Study is a weekly fellowship
led by MIDN Torres for midshipmen
to discuss the Bible, their struggles
in college, and what it takes to
nurture their faith in college and in
the battalion. For the first few weeks,
midshipmen shared their testimonies
on how they grew in their relationship
with Christ. Sessions would usually start off with each
member sharing their high points, low points, and the
ways they’ve seen God work in their lives throughout
the week. Then members would then proceed to
discuss a variety of topics in scripture.
While usually led by Torres, MIDN Bible study
is sometimes led by other midshipmen, such as
Midshipman Sloat, who examined the parables of
Christ, and my brother, who discussed the impact of
fear as an obstacle to fulfilling God’s will for our lives.
A highlight of the fall semester was when LT May
shared how he has held the faith while serving
in the fleet, and how his faith in God has kept him
accountable and has given him the strength to
make good decisions in the Navy, whether on duty
or on liberty.
As it progressed, the Bible study proved to be a great
support group for many midshipmen, who could just
come in and share their thoughts while learning from
their brothers and sisters, in arms and in Christ. It was
an equal playing field, where midshipmen could
address each other honestly without regard to rank,
class, or chain of command.
MM
Nurse Corps Society
by MIDN 3/C Fuller
he Nurse Options
in the battalion are
small in number, but
certainly don’t go
unnoticed. With three
1/C preparing for
commissioning, one
2/C, three 3/C and
one new 4/C, Nurse Options
participate in the battalion as
company commanders, platoon
commanders, squad leaders,
and other officer positions. While
we do not have a Nurse Corps
officer stationed here, through
Nurse Corps Society, we are
able to support each other and
provide advice and guidance
to each other throughout our
college experiences.
Nurse Corps Society meets a few
times a month, where we discuss Nurse Option summer cruise, nursing school curriculum, ROTC, and life in
general. We operate as a support system for each other. All the upperclass nurses are extremely willing and
enthusiastic about helping the underclass nurses acclimate to the battalion and the UVA School of Nursing.
Our meetings generally take place in the lounge of Maury Hall, but every once in a while we branch out to
go to dinner or do something fun. In the future, we hope to tour a naval hospital or even see a hospital ship.
Because we are so different in our academic and career paths from the rest of the battalion, it is crucial for
us to band together and help each other within our own
school.
In addition to our fellow midshipmen, we are extremely
fortunate to have 3 Nurse Corps officers currently working
on their master’s degrees here at UVA. LCDR Pozniak, LT
Garcia, and LT Ross have been excellent resources for all our
questions, and have provided invaluable information about
Navy Nursing. They make appearances at our meetings
and accompany us to dinner. LCDR Pozniak spent a vast
amount of his career as an aircraft carrier nurse, and is able
to share all kinds of experiences that happen in a ship’s
medical department. LT Garcia has worked in hospitals in
both Kuwait and Afghanistan, with more boots-on-ground
experience. LT Ross, who spent his career working with
Marines, just began his master’s work this summer, and we
are excited to welcome him into the Nurse Corps Society.

TT
“As a small minority within the battalion sometimes it
can be hard for us to get a perspective on what our lives
will truly be like in the fleet, and how to balance the very
time-intensive nursing curriculum with ROTC. Nurse
Corps Society provides an outlet for these questions and
opportunities for mentorship that enrich our experience in
the battalion and better prepare us for the future.”
-MIDN 3/C Redman
LogBook2012_13.indd 38-39 5/1/13 9:43 PM

tarting in the 2012 fall semester, LT Anglin
began to invite any Midshipman of
the Battalion to join him and the other
Lieutenants on lunch outings Friday
afternoons. The locations
of these lunches have
included No.3, Boylan
Heights, Lemongrass, Trinity
Irish Pub, the Biltmore Grill, and
other restaurants on The Corner.
These unofficial events are a great
way for midshipmen to meet with
unit staff in a less formal environment
than that of Maury Hall. Midshipmen, especially 4/c
midshipmen, who are able to attend Lunch with the
Lieutenants found themselves able to talk to unit staff
in a more comfortable way, while also maintaining a
proper level of respect.
Lunch with the Lieutenants may also be an excellent
tool for midshipmen to learn how to conduct
themselves in the wardroom as commissioned
officers. Though Boylan Heights is far from being
the wardroom of a ship in the fleet, the rules of
conversation are the same for both settings. It is
valuable for each midshipman to learn how to
carry himself or herself in a
comfortable yet respectful
manner in the presence of
superiors, while refraining
from talking shop, religion or
politics.
During Lunch with the Lieutenants,
midshipmen have great opportunities
to talk with unit staff about engaging
military related topics or non-military topics.
Interesting sea stories or descriptions of what life is
like out in the fleet were generally the most popular
subjects of conversation during the lunches.
Attending these lunches is an easy and fun way to
learn important life skills, to receive great advice
from experienced officers, and to show an interest in
one’s future experiences in the Navy.
Lunch With the Lieutenants
by MIDN 4/C Brasek
SS very semester, the
Battalion sponsors
Intramural (IM)
Sports. This fall we
played softball and
outdoor soccer,
and in the Spring semester we
participated inindoor soccer, a
sloor hockey tournament, and
sand volleyball. These sports
help to increase camaraderie by
providing an environment outside
of the normal ROTC routine for
midshipmen of all classes to interact
and have fun.
Softball started
up first in
September.
Some, such as
MIDN Bisallion
werepractically
softball
professionals.
MIDN Demello
used his long
stretch as first
baseman and
MIDN Hale
could hit with a
strong arm from
third. Making a
one game
appearance,
MIDN Van
Beek found
her calling as a
softball player.
Soccer picked up soon after in
October. Everyone was a little rusty
except for MIDN Holy who was by
far the MVP. In addition to making
countless saves from point blank
range as goalie, MIDN Holy scored
the only goal of one game all the
way from midfield.
The spring semester brought more
opportunities for IM Sports. MIDN
Hartman, Cox, Clemmer, and
Fridley were the core of an Indoor
Soccer team that was sometimes
overmatched but never outhustled.
MIDN Cypher made some
appearances
and added some
crucial goals for
the team. The
floor hockey
tournament
saw some very
mixed results. As
an experienced
street hockey
player, MIDN
DeMello proved
capable of some
pretty impressive
moves and shots
around opposing defensemen.
The rest of the team, led by superb
goaltending from MIDN Clemmer,
showedsomeseriousheartbutfailed
to advance to the championship.
As warmer summer weather
approached, the Sand Volleyball
season began. MIDN Jahncke and
Redman were thrilled to participate
and showcase
their skills on the
court. Other
midshipmen,
such as MIDN
Cypher,
Hartman, and
Hale helped to
make the team
one of the most
intimidating on
grounds.
Whether we
have a perfect
losing record
or a perfect
winning record,
all the MIDN
who participate
in IM Sports
have a blast.
Team sports
breed competition but also
encourage teamwork. Although this
year we failed to bring any IM Sports
championships back to Maury Hall,
the future looks bright. A team of
talented and athletic Midshipmen
are always on the verge of IM Sports
domination.
EE
Battalion Intramural Sports
Physical Training by MIDN 2/C Cypher MIDN 3/C Fridley
LogBook2012_13.indd 40-41 5/1/13 9:43 PM

Midshipmen Around the World
by MIDN 2/C Taylor
utside of the UVA
community, many
midshipmen take
advantage of the
opportunity to study
and do service projects
abroad. This past summer, I was
awarded a Project GO (Global
Officer) grant to study Arabic in Irbid,
Jordan. The Project GO scholarship
was created specifically for ROTC
students and focuses on creating
fluency and building cultural bridges
for strategic languages. Most of my
time in Yarmouk was occupied by
classes five hours a day on Grammar,
Reading,Writing,Listening,Speaking,
and the Jordanian dialect of Arabic.
Additionally, we had our choice of
an elective like Islamic Poetry, Music,
or Qur’anic Recitation. To facilitate
language learning outside of the
classroom, we were also assigned
language partners—students at the
university who would introduce us to
theirfriendsandshowusthemeaning
of Arab hospitality by inviting us out
to dinner at their house or maybe
even a wedding. On weekends, we
were also able to go on day trips to
nearby attractions. My favorite trips
were Wadi Rum, where Lawrence
of Arabia hid from the Turks, and the
Dead Sea, where I floated at the
lowest point on Earth’s crust. We had
a break in the middle of summer
semester during which many people
went to visit neighboring countries.
I went to Egypt to visit friends, but
others went to hit the clubs in Beirut
or walk the holy streets of Jerusalem.
MIDN 3/C Sibilla was also able to
take advantage of the Project GO
scholarship this past summer to
travel to Kiev, Ukraine with Arizona
State University to continue learning
Russian. Because of the classes she
took there over the summer and
her immersion in the environment,
she was able to skip a whole level
when she got back to UVA. She will
travel to Moscow this summer on an
additional Project GO scholarship
award. She’ll be fluent in no time!
Numerous midshipmen are also
engaged in service-learning
projects abroad. MIDN 2/C Bessette
returned to Ghana this January for
the second time as a part of UVA’s
chapter of Global Medical Brigades.
Global Brigades, of which Medical
Brigades is just one piece, is the
largest student-run international
development organization in the
world. Medical Brigades works
with local doctors and medical
professionals to collect medications
that the brigaders then take with
them on their trip, where they work in
a clinic and have the opportunity to
conduct basic medical procedures.
MIDN 2/C Tarmann also traveled
to Tajikistan over winter break and
volunteered at a British charity/
educational center, SWORDE-Teppa.
“It was my second time traveling to
Tajikistan, but this time I got a very
different experience being on my
own, not as a part of a language
program,” she said. She spent most
of her time in Quorghonteppa,
Tajikistan, helping English-language
students and getting to know the
staff at the center. The purpose of
her trip was to scope out SWORDE-
Teppa in the hopes of returning in the
summer to do a research project.
And in February we found out that
we were in fact awarded a grant
from the Jefferson Public Citizens
Program to conduct a survey-based
research project in Tajikistan with
SWORDE-Teppa this summer, along
with MIDN 3/C Orr and MIDN 3/C
Van Beek. It will certainly be an eye-
opening experience for everyone,
and an exciting opportunity to learn
about a culture not many people
outside of the region know about.
Next year, we will even get to have
our findings published!
In short, midshipmen in our battalion
are aware that as future naval
officers, we will often act as unofficial
ambassadors, and the experiences
abroad we have during college will
undoubtedly come in handy in the
Fleet.
Our Diversity
62 Midshipmen From Around The World
Academic Majors
Arts Sciences
Astronomy
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Economics
Environmental Science
Foreign Affairs
History
Leadership and Public Policy
Mathematics
Medieval Studies
Physics
Political Science and Government
Public Policy and Government Russian
Statistics
Nursing
All Nurse Options
Commerce
Finance and Management
Engineering
Applied Sciences
Aerospace Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Science
Mechanical Engineering
Systems Engineering
OO
LogBook2012_13.indd 42-43 5/1/13 9:43 PM

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