The University of Texas at Austin Naval ROTC The Longhorn Log 17-18 Contents Introduction 3 Unit Staff 4 Battalion Staff 12 Commissioning Seniors 16 Midshipmen 24 Awards 29 BATMOM 34 Fall 2017 Events 36 Spring 2018 Events 48 The Naval Reserve Officer 11 September Training Corps was established at the University of Texas at Austin in 1940 with the goal of developing midshipmen morally, 1940 mentally, and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty in order to commission college graduates as naval officers. Seventy-eight years later the same goal holds true. Military skills and knowledge are passed down to each midshipman inside and outside the classroom. These skills provide a foundation for success in the NROTC program and for future success in the Navy and Marine Corps. This past year we have come together through many activities. Platoon integrity is built at drill sessions and at early morning PT. A sense of pride and accomplishment are felt while running in formation to cadence and marching step by step at attention. The perfection of routine drill pays off when the platoon and senior drill competition comes around. Soccer ball retrieval and baseball foul ball retrieval provide the battalion with funds, making other activities possible. Funds raised are put to use in many events, bringing a little competition and camaraderie to the battalion. The UT vs. OU football game inspires the classic Run to Dallas. This year we introduced other activities in addition to the flag football game against OU to get more midshipmen involved in the UT and OU rivalry. Intramural sports bring camaraderie as well as much needed stress relief to those who participate. This year, the pistol and rifle team and the endurance team had the privilege to attend the University of Colorado, Boulder Competition. The hard work by those involved paid off. More traditional events that take place for the UT NROTC are the Captain’s Cup and seasonal military balls. Captain’s Cup puts platoon against platoon in various tests of physical fitness, drill, and academics. The best platoon is given the title of “Honor Platoon”. The Navy and Marine Corps Birthday Ball allows the battalion to show off its military pride and tradition. This event is a precursor to the decorum and ceremony of the fleet. This year we also brought back the Leadership Reaction Course. This event gives midshipmen the opportunity to gain insightful knowledge to how they perform as small unit leaders in various obstacles. This event also builds camaraderie. The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Texas at Austin provides students with a foundation for a career as an officer in the United States Navy or Marine Corps. The success of the UTNROTC mission is measured by each newly commissioned officer it releases to the fleet. Honor, courage, and commitment are the cornerstones of every sailor and marine. Hook ‘em horns! Introduction 3 Captain Brian Teets CAPT Brian Teets, a native of Urbana, OH received his commission in March of 1990 through the Navy ROTC program at Ohio State University where he earned a BSBA in Production and Operations Management. His first tour was with the “Swampfoxes” of HSL-44 at NAS Mayport, FL, flying the SH-60B helicopter. Serving three years with HSL-44, he deployed to the Arabian Gulf embarked in USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG-58) and in USS VICKSBURG (CG-69) to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. CAPT Teets’ first shore tour in 1995 was as Aide to the Commander, Naval Training Center Great Lakes, IL, and then to the Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola, FL, dual- hatted as the Director of Navy Training, CNO (N7). He reported aboard the Norfolk, VA-based USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) in 1997 as the Operations Administration Officer where he qualified as Officer of the Deck and deployed in 1998 to the Arabian Gulf taking part in Operation DESERT FOX. In 2000 CAPT Teets joined the HSL-45 “Wolfpack” stationed at NAS North Island, CA. Embarked in USS INGRAHAM (FFG-61) he deployed to the Indian Ocean/Arabian Gulf with the CARL VINSON Battle Group in 2001 for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Completing his tour as squadron Operations Officer, he detached in 2002 and reported to the Officer Plans and Promotions office on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (N1). CAPT Teets next reported to the National War College for the 2005/2006 academic year graduating with a MS in National Security Strategy. Concurrently, he earned a MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in 2006. He reported as Executive Officer of the HSL- 37 “Easyriders” aboard MCBH at Kaneohe Bay, HI in February 2007 and assumed command in May 2008. In August 2009 he completed his command tour and reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5) where he specialized in International Security Cooperation and Foreign Military Sales policy. Following his tour as Executive Officer, CAPT Teets assumed command of the amphibious assault ship USS WASP (LHD-1) in July 2013 and conducted at-sea testing trials for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and executed a $250M ship modernization overhaul. In June 2015 he assumed command of the Naval ROTC Unit at the University of Texas at Austin. 4 Commanding Officer Commander GeorgeIntroduction Floyd Commander George Allen Floyd hails Southeast Texas. Immediately following high school graduation, CDR Floyd began undergraduate studies in biology pre-medicine at the University of Texas in Austin. After four years of undergraduate studies, he joined the Navy in May of 1989, attending boot camp in Orlando, Florida as a Machinist’s Mate. Following boot camp, CDR Floyd attended and completed Nuclear Field A School and Nuclear Power School, also in Orlando. He then qualified Mechanical Operator at the S1C prototype in Windsor, CT. He was awarded a four-year NROTC scholarship to attend Prairie View A&M University where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1994. He earned a Masters in Epidemiology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2001. His sea tours include assignment as Communications / CMS Custodian / Assistant Safety Officer aboard USS THORN (DD 988), followed by assignment as Reactor Mechanical Division Officer / Repair 7 Locker Officer aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN69) from November 1997 to May 2000. He was next detailed as the Operations Officer aboard USS GARY (FFG-51) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan as a member of 7th Fleet Forward Deployed Naval Forces where he completed qualification as TAO from August 2002 to March 2004. He next transferred to USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) as the Reactor Training Assistant, Surface Warfare Officer program coordinator and Senior Watch Officer Coordinator for Reactor Department, and Professional Nuclear Engineering (PNEO) program coordinator from April 2004 until December 2007. He then served as Executive Office for USS KIDD (DDG-100). Following his tour aboard KIDD, he then transferred to USS NIMITZ (CVN68) where he served as Assistant Reactor Officer from March 2011 until December 2013. His shore assignments include Naval Nuclear Power School in Orlando, FL, where he completed the Officer Program for the Naval Nuclear training program. He next attended and completed the prerequisite prototype training in Ballston Spa, New York at the MARF prototype facility. He next reported to the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command Cruise Missile Support Activity as the Automated Data Processing Center Division Officer. While stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, he also completed his Master’s Degree in Public Health (Epidemiology). On his transfer from the Cruise Missile Support Activity, he attended the Surface Warfare Officer’s School Department Head Course in Newport, Rhode Island. While attached to USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, he completed a 10 month IA assignment to IRAQ ISO the counter RCIED effort. His next shore assignment was to Commander Naval Air Forces (CNAF) staff for Carrier Maintenance (N43) where he served as Maintenance Coordinator for USS CARL VINSON (CVN70). He completed Senior Course 124 at the NATO DEFENSE College in Rome from Jan-Jul 2014. He served as Director of Surface Operations for Military Sealift Command Europe and Africa / Combined Task Force 63 from August 2014-June 2017. He is currently serving as the Executive Officer / Associate Professor of Naval Science at the University of Texas (Austin) NROTC program. CDR Floyd has been married to his wife Jennifer since 2004, and they share three beautiful daughters. Executive Officer 5 Captain Jonathan Grubb Captain Jonathan J. Grubb, a New Jersey native, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October 2000. After earning a B.S. in Workforce Education and Curriculum Development from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Captain Grubb was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program and commissioned through Officer Candidate School in December 2010. After commissioning, Second Lieutenant Grubb reported to The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia, and graduated in July 2011. Upon graduation from TBS, Second Lieutenant Grubb reported to Aviation Maintenance Officer Course in Milton, Florida. In October 2011, Second Lieutenant Grubb reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361 in San Diego, California. In July 2012, he deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. There, he served as the Maintenance Material Control Officer and was promoted to First Lieutenant in December 2012. In March 2013, First Lieutenant Grubb reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 16 in San Diego, California, and was assigned as the Power Plants Division Officer as well as AIRSpeed Division Officer. In June 2013, he participated in Operation DAWN BLITZ, serving as the Aviation Combat Element Aircraft Maintenance Officer aboard the USNS Curtiss.