Spring 2012 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps A Message from the Commanding Officer Change is Good By Captain Jeffrey Whiting have just fin- skills and abilities to achieve their goal of CO’s/XO’s Messages 1-2 ished my last becoming an officer. NROTC Staff 3 I class for the Our strong focus on academics spring 2012 semes- and physical training has been paying big Midshipmen Leadership 8 ter. Soon the col- dividends. The battalion combined grade lege students sitting point average (CGPA) has climbed to over About the Battalion 10 in my class will be 3.0 and is still rising. (The Marine Option commissioned. As Midshipmen have had the highest CGPA, Community Service 16 much as we have as a group, for the last two semesters.) All Teams & Competitions 20 tried to prepare of the midshipmen have passed the physi- them over the last cal readiness test at the level required for Semester Events 24 four years, they commissioning. This could be in part be- really don’t know what a wonderful ad- cause of an elite group of midshipmen Clubs 33 venture they are beginning as officers in athletes who started an Endurance Team the Navy and Marine Corps. There is an and have shown that “regular” PT should- Nursing Program 34 often quoted truism that luck is what hap- n’t be too hard for anyone. Photographs 38 pens when opportunity meets preparation. I would also like to thank our I believe that all of these new officers will super-charged Battalion/Staff Recruiting Graduating Seniors 40 be lucky. They will be able to succeed at Team. From the looks of our incoming their new opportunities because they have freshman class the last two years of effort Incoming Battalion 43 been well prepared by the staff and experi- is resulting in at least 10% more UNL Leadership ences that have shaped them while per- NROTC scholarships being accepted. For Farewells 44 forming within the battalion. It is always those of you who heeded my previous call a privilege to see the high caliber of the to help us in recruiting, I offer you credit Future Events 47 individuals that choose to be a part of for this change as well. NROTC; it is an honor to be part of the I will close with a note familiar to Our Donors 48 process that gives them the knowledge, all who have served. (Continued on page 2) “The Blackshirts of National Defense” (Continued from page 1) Most of the staff is rotating to new duty stations this them. They have all been an integral part of our year. LT Long, GySgt Aguilar, LT Stone, and CDR success and are sure to bring success to their new Wesley are leaving before the end of the calendar commands. In the meantime, Major Ramthun and I year. Both LTs have reliefs scheduled to come will endeavor to persevere with the able assistance aboard before the new school year. We are waiting of our civilian staff and the reliefs as they arrive. on words from the “detailing gods” to find out Enjoy the summer and all the great infor- about Gunny and the XO. Personnel rotation is just mation in this Tide and Current. another fact of life in the military, but we will miss A Message from the Executive Officer Go Navy! By Commander Kevin Wesley ongratulations to professional, and personal growth experi- our graduating ence. C Seniors! They I have emphasized the value of rela- are off to the Fleet in tionships many times over the years and will various capacities and continue to do so. Not only is “relationship” will represent B1G Red a key element in effective leadership, but it in fine fashion! Also, also represents one of the more rewarding congratulations to the personal aspects of serving in the world’s new Battalion officers largest fraternity/sorority. Serving our Na- and leadership elements. tion with others who share common Core The number of highly qualified midshipmen Values and who are dedicated to principles vying for Battalion leadership positions is a such as “Service Before Self,” is truly a ful- testament to the success and mentorship of filling experience and forms the foundation our graduating Seniors and the Unit as a of everlasting relationships. So…enjoy the whole—well done. Fleet and your Shipmates/fellow Marines! I encourage all of you to maximize Please remember, living by the Na- the summer training opportunities. You vy’s Core Values is a lifestyle—it doesn’t must be a proactive member in your sum- change when you are on Summer Break, in a mer training assignments—that is, what you leave status, in a foreign port, or any other “get out” of your summer training experi- locale or disposition. All of you are repre- ence is largely dependent upon what you sentatives of the Navy’s finest ROTC Unit, “put into” your curriculum/schedule. So, if the University of Nebraska and ambassadors you “put in” maximum effort and profes- of the United States Navy and our Nation. sionalism, then I am confident that your Be proud, professional, engaged, and train summer training will result in a rewarding hard! Ooh-Rah! Go NAVY! 2 University of Nebraska—Lincoln Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit Staff The military and civilian staff of the University of Nebraska NROTC take pride in every individual that earns a commission through the program. Our mission is officer development, and we will do whatever it takes to ensure the success of our midshipmen. The unit staff for the spring semester of 2012 is shown below. Captain Jeffrey Whiting Commander Kevin Wesley Major Alex Ramthun Commanding Officer Executive Officer Marine Officer Instructor Lieutenant Wayne Long Lieutenant Chris Stone Lieutenant Jeff Scheidt GySgt Ruben Aguilar Naval Officer Instructor Naval Officer Instructor Naval Officer Instructor Assistant Marine Officer Instructor Mr. Bill Pate Mr. Bill Miller Mrs. Kimberly Pappas 3 A Message from the Marine Officer Instructor The Road Less Traveled By Major Alex Ramthun he Marines and Marine Op- Instructor (AMOI), Gunnery Sergeant Ru- tion midshipmen of Naval ben Aguilar, and I have changed the cul- T Reserve Officers Training ture, training, and operations supporting Corps (NROTC) Unit, University of Ne- those working towards USMC officer com- braska-Lincoln (UNL) have recently com- missions. First, we added new physical pleted an academic year long journey cul- training sessions to focus on the minating with Exercise Red Thunder 01- “functional fitness” students. These ses- 12. Since August of 2011, the students sions included 65 total miles of hiking with seeking commissions as United States Ma- 45 pound packs, rope climbing training, rine Corps (USMC) officers have experi- combat fitness training, and endurance enced great challenges, joyful successes, training. Functional fitness represents a and humble lessons learned. The overall key area of emphasis at both Officer Can- objective of each student is simple: Earn a didates School (OCS) and The Basic commission as a Second Lieutenant in the School (TBS). By introducing the students Marine Corps. The path to this objective is (Continued on page 5) complex: Demonstrate meas- ured performance in academics, physical fitness, tactical knowledge/skill, and leader- ship. However, each student does not march along this path alone; rather, they work togeth- er as a team to reach their com- mon objectives. In order to facilitate their professional development, the Assistant Marine Officer Major Ramthun gives a few last mi- nute instructions to the Marine Op- tions before a helicopter raid near Meade, NE for Exercise Red Thun- der 01-12, April, 2012. 4 (Continued from page 4) to this style of training now, we have ena- NROTC, we are sharpening the mind as bled them to perform at high levels at these often as possible in preparation for the fu- important proving grounds. ture. Second, we expanded our field Our major structural changes have training to cover all required infantry core achieved great success. Our students are skills and training requirements, focusing more prepared than ever to serve our coun- on day and night land navigation, tactical try as leaders of Marines. I congratulate leadership, terrain model construction, our current senior class of three outstand- weapons handling and employment, avia- ing graduates. They have successful made tion asset integration (helicopter training), it to the end of the path less traveled and and offensive tactical practical applica- now get to see their hard work and excel- tions. Executing one major field exercise lent performance culminate in an officer per semester, following 50 hours of class- commission. The seniors exemplified the room training, the students are now more motto of the Marine Corps: Semper Fidelis prepared than ever to meet the challenges - Always Faithful. They acted as stewards of OCS and TBS. Additionally, their expe- of our fine organization throughout their riences enable them to excel during other final semesters, developing underclassmen off site training events, to include the in order to ensure they one day may also Mountain Warfare Training Course realize their dreams. (MWTC) in Bridgeport, California. We are very proud of the accom- Finally, we have expanded intellec- plishments and transformation of the Ma- tual and leadership training events to in- rine Corps students at UNL NROTC. If clude required book discussions, scenario- you would like to participate in future UNL based exercises, and reviewing military NROTC Marine Corps events, please con- leadership failures to embrace lessons tact me at [email protected]. We would learned. Modern combat requires more of welcome any support from local alumni our future leaders than brute force.