The Spurs and Anchor AUSTIN NROTC
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UNIVERSITY OF T E X A S A T The Spurs and Anchor AUSTIN NROTC VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 SPECIAL POINTS OF FEBRUARY 7, 2011 I N T E R E S T : Texas NROTC Commissioning Ceremony Our Newsletter has been in the works for a couple of weeks. The entire bat- rine Corps welcomed four For these individu- talion has tediously la- new commissionees into als, the commissioning bored to provide a means their fold. ceremony marks the culmi- The commission- to display the remarkable nation of a demanding de- ing ceremony at the Uni- accomplishments of the gree completion program versity of Texas at Austin Battalion. with an emphasis on devel- can be one of the most oping the future leaders of memorable lifetime experi- The long wait is over and our nation’s military. ences. For many the jour- we’re happy to present This fall the University of Their accomplishment ney is fraught with adver- The Spurs and Anchor. Texas at Austin Naval Re- serves as a testimony to serve Officer Training sity and hardships. To their perseverance and Corps celebrated 75 years some of the young men and mental fortitude. of service, generating lead- women who selflessly de- ers who are dedicated to a vote themselves to a pro- career of naval service and have potential for future fession of arms in defense INSIDE THIS ISSUE: development in mind and of their country, it may be character to assume the hard to believe it’s actually Commissioning 2 highest responsibilities of happening until they see command, citizenship and their names on an official government. Following commissioning announce- CO’s Corner 5 the Fall Graduation cere- monies, the Navy and Ma- ment. XO’s Corner 6 MOI’s Corner 7 Freshman 7 Orientation Alumni Weekend 10 Run to Dallas 11 Birthday Ball 13 P A G E 2 2nd Lieutenant Tan Nguyen, USMC Tan Nguyen a 2010 gradu- Vietnam in December 1975 Following the example of ate from the University of from Thu Duc Military Of- service to his nation set Texas at Austin was com- ficer Academy and coura- forth by his father, 2nd Lieu- missioned as a Second geously served alongside tenant Nguyen chose to Lieutenant in the United US military forces before pursue a life of service in States Marine Corps follow- becoming a prisoner of war defense of his Nation and ing a private ceremony in in June 1975 following the give back to the country the Eastwood Room at the fall of Saigon until 1981. In that has provided opportuni- Union Building on August 1993, his family immi- ties to his family. 2ndLt Tan Nguyen accepts 1, 2010. grated to the United States, his commissioning docu- leaving behind everything ments from CAPT Daniel He graduated with distinc- they knew for a new begin- tion with a degree in Man- ning in an unfamiliar place. agement Information Sys- tems from the McCombs School of Business. Fol- lowing graduation, Nguyen “2nd Lieutenant Nguyen will report to Quantico, Virginia for further training 2ndLt Nguyen chose to pursue a life of as a Marine Second Lieu- stands with his tenant at The Basic School. proud parents service in defense of his following the The difficult journey for his commissioning nation” family started before ceremony. Nguyen was born. His fa- ther received a commission in the Army of Republic of 2nd Lieutenant Graham Denniston, USMC Graham Denniston a Decem- ber 2010 graduate from the University of Texas at Austin 2ndLt Graham Denniston was commissioned as a Sec- receives the oath of office ond Lieutenant in the United from his brother Captain States Marine Corps follow- Garret Denniston, USAF ing a very special ceremony inside the Texas State Capitol Senate Chamber on Decem- ber 17, 2010. THE SPURS AND ANCHOR VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 P A G E 3 He graduated with distinction Commissioning Education Pro- Landon and Wesley Denniston affix new 2ndLt with a degree in History from gram (MECEP), a curriculum the College of Liberal Arts. designed to provide outstanding bars to their father’s uniform. They are assisted Following graduation, Dennis- enlisted Marines the opportunity by 2ndLt Denniston’s father Tom Denniston ton will report to Quantico, Vir- to serve as Marine Corps offi- and Father-in-law John Fraser ginia for further training as a cers. Marine Second Lieutenant at The Basic School. 2nd Lieutenant Denniston began “ His experiences his journey as an enlisted mem- in the fleet further ber of the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of instilled his Staff Sergeant. His experiences in the fleet further instilled his commitment to commitment to serve his coun- serve his country.” try. He applied and was ac- cepted into the Marine Enlisted 2nd Lieutenant Kevin Stelter, USMC Kevin Stelter, a May 2010 He graduated with distinction ture of the Navy, Marine Corps, graduate from the University of with a degree in Economics and our country. Texas at Austin was also com- from the College of Liberal mission as a Second Lieutenant Arts. Following graduation, As part of the commissioning 2ndLt Stelter will report to ceremonies, 2ndLt Stelter Quantico, Virginia for further chose Captain Ken Tofel, training at The Basic School. United States Marine Corps (retired) to administer the Oath Since 1932, the NROTC pro- of Office. gram has offered qualified graduates a commission in the United States Marine Corps. 2nd Lieutenant Stelter completed a four-year immersion program at the University of Texas at Aus- 2ndLt Stelter’s mother Lillian tin that educates candidates not and brother Kyle affix 2ndLt only in the classroom, but in all bars on his uniform. aspects of their life - in their dormitory at Jester Hall, on the in the United States Marine athletic fields, and during their Corps following a very special summers in the fleet. The result ceremony inside the Texas State of this comprehensive process is The Stelter Family standing Capitol Senate Chamber on De- a collective group of young with Marine Corps’ newest cember 17, 2010. leaders primed to shape the fu- commissioned officer. Ensign Christopher Veenhuis, USN Christopher B. Veenhuis an Au- He graduated with distinction outstanding qualifications and gust 2010 graduate from Huston- with a degree in Political Science motivation for a naval career to Tillotson University was also from the College of Liberal Arts. obtain a commission. commission as an Ensign in the Following graduation, Ensign United States Navy following a Veenhuis will report to Pearl Har- Both Christopher and his wife very special ceremony inside the bor, HI for assignment as a Sur- Kelly Veenhuis gained commis- Texas State Capitol Senate Cham- face Warfare Officer. sion through this program. ber on December 17, 2010. Ensign Veenhuis began his jour- ney as an enlisted member of the United States Navy, volunteering in Submarines and achieving the rank of first class petty officer. His experiences in the fleet fur- ther forged his commitment to serve his country. He applied and was accepted into the Seaman to Admiral Program Ensign Veenhuis' mother Jan (STA-21), a curriculum designed Burton and Father Jack Veenhuis provide an opportunity for affix officer shoulder boards to enlisted personnel who possessed Lieutenant Colonel Tony his uniform. Waterbury, USMC, (retired) administers the Oath of Office to Ensign Veenhuis. "People should have the opportunity to excel, and be all they can be, even if they don't get a perfect or traditional start." -Admiral Boorda For the four graduates, their journey to become an officer in the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps took many paths. They stand ready to support and defend the Constitu- tion of these United States against all enemies. When these graduates raised their right hand they pledged their lives to their country. Many will lead their sailors and Marines into harm’s way. This is an obligation not to be taken lightly. It is a privilege of the highest sort. Their roads may be different but one common ideal exist between them all. They are all counted amongst the young people who will protect the freedom cher- ished by past and current generations and all those yet to come. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 P A G E 5 CO’s Corner CAPTAIN Dan Dixon ion and the myriad of events that and 1 medical doctor selectees. Ad- have taken place throughout the se- ditionally, we will have 4 Marine mester. The plan is to release a graduates and commissionees this Newsletter after each semester and spring and summer who will select one immediately after Freshmen Ori- their specialties after completing The entation at the end of August to Basic School in Quantico. Congrats cover the summer training and orien- to all our seniors who will be graduat- tation evolutions. As always, we ing in May and August of this year. welcome your feedback on the for- mat and the content of these News- Finally, I would like to congratulate letters. our 6 December graduates. The Greetings family, friends and alumni Newsletter describes the Commis- of our UT NROTC Unit – it has been a The Fall was busy for all of us, espe- sioning Ceremony we had in mid- real pleasure and privilege to work cially for our freshmen (4/C) mid- December for 3 of these gradu- with each and every one of the mid- shipmen. They developed into a ates. The last 3 will have their com- shipmen, MECEP (Marine Enlisted cohesive and motivated group that missioning this spring and likely join Commissioning Program) and OC successfully handled not only the their fellow Longhorn Marines in the (Officer Candidate) students this past adjustment into university life, but April class at The Basic School in semester.