Photo By Scott Thornbloom | MADISON, Wis. (May 8, 2021) U. S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Lucas Latterell receives his...... read more read more
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MADISON, Wis. (May 8, 2021) – The University of Wisconsin-Madison Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit held a commissioning ceremony for five midshipmen atop the Madison Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, May 8.
Capt. Gregory Zacharski, commanding officer of UW-Madison NROTC, made opening remarks for the ceremony. He also gave some advice to the newly commissioned officers as they set out into their military careers.
“Be genuine,” said Zacharski. “Your Sailors and Marines can smell when your integrity is breached. So be genuine, be yourself and own it. Get out there and be confident in your decisions. Accountability is everything. Even if you make a mistake, learn your lessons and act with confidence.”
Ensign Nora Stolley has been designated as a Surface Warfare Officer (Nuclear). She will attend the Basic Division Officers’ Course in San Diego, California, and then report to her first ship, the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) homeported in Sasebo, Japan. She said that it has been a challenging experience so far, but she is excited for this next chapter.
“I have proven to myself that I can handle much more than I think I can,” said Stolley. “I have learned a great deal about stress management and how important it is to have people that can support you. I have leaned on relationships with my classmates and mentors to motivate and guide me.”
Ensign Katherine Katula, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37 homeported in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, served as the unit’s previous battalion commander before she commissioned virtually during an online ceremony in May 2020. Katula kept in contact with her former classmates and even served as Stolley’s mentor.
Katula said that she was happy for the opportunity to take leave and attend the ceremony. She was also able to bring with her some wisdom she gained in the fleet.
“My biggest suggestion to the new officers is to never be afraid of asking questions, especially when they get to their first duty station,” said Katula. “Be a sponge for as much information as possible and stay curious. This will only make you a stronger, more knowledgeable and effective leader.”
Leadership is one capstone of a civilian’s transformation into a Naval officer. Stolley’s parents, Claudia and Mark, affixed the insignia to her uniform during the ceremony and commented on her growth.
“We were definitely nervous when Nora initially joined the program,” said Claudia Stolley. “She was so young, and we were worried whether or not she was ready for this type of commitment. But she has grown into someone just incredibly independent, strong and resourceful. She has stayed dedicated to her end goal of commissioning. It’s not easy to balance regular college life with ROTC responsibilities, but she stayed focused, and we are so proud to see her here today.”
Zacharski said he recognizes that military service impacts more than just its members. It affects the lives of their families and everyone they encounter moving forward.
“To the families, be justifiably proud,” said Zacharski. “These young men and women voluntarily joined the program. They sought challenge. In addition to meeting the normal tenets of the program, they have risen to the trials that the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it. I have the utmost confidence in their ability to lead others, not just in the fleet, but in society at large.”
Stolley said she remembers watching her mom and dad get up from the audience to affix her rank insignia. She felt happy not only for herself, but for her parents.
“My parents have been so supportive throughout my education,” said Stolley. “It was so special to share this experience with them. They were as much involved in my success as I was. I am so happy that they too, were able to have this moment.”
The NROTC program is overseen and supported by Commander, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), Rear Adm. Jamie Sands and his NSTC staff at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, and Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. NROTC was established to develop midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, loyalty and Navy core values. The program provides college graduates an opportunity to commission as Naval officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the Naval service, and have a potential for future development in mind and character, so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.
NSTC oversees 98 percent of initial officer and enlisted accessions training for the Navy, as well as the Navy’s Citizenship Development program. NSTC also includes Recruit Training Command (RTC), the Navy’s only boot camp also at Naval Station Great Lakes, the NROTC program at more than 160 colleges and universities, Officer Training Command (OTC) Newport, R. I., and Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) and Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) citizenship development programs at more than 600 high schools worldwide.
For more information about Navy ROTC, visit https://www.nrotc.navy.mil/ or visit https://www.facebook.com/NavalReserveOfficersTrainingCorps.
For more news about NSTC, visit: www. https://www.public.navy.mil/netc/nstc/index.aspx or visit www.navy.mil/local/greatlakes/.
| Date Taken: | 05.08.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.10.2021 23:30 |
| Story ID: | 396063 |
| Location: | MADISON, WI, US |
| Web Views: | 515 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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