1. Jacksonville University NROTC MIDN 2/C Suter
Prevailing Winds
A semester recap of the JU
NROTC unit
Spring 2013
Mission of JU NROTC
Our mission is to develop midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically
and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty in
order to commission college graduates as officers. They must possess a basic
professional background, be motivated towards a career 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. NROTC accomplishes its mission through a system of training
and instructions in essential naval subjects at civil educational institutions,
which qualify students for appointments as Ensign in the Navy and Second
Lieutenants in the Marine Corps.
On 23 September 1971, the first NROTC Unit in the state of Florida was formally
dedicated during ceremonies at Jacksonville University. Jacksonville University is one
of the four Florida universities amongst the sixty-three colleges and universities in the
United States, which offer NROTC training.
1
JU NROTC Description
2. Jacksonville University NROTC Prevailing Winds
2
JU NROTC Teams/Clubs/Societies
MIDN Caldwell
When you walk down the
corridor of the Unit you can
easily find numerous trophies
and awards that the pistol team
has won. But over the years the
Pistol Team has fell in a more
inactive state. It is my goal as the
new Commander to bring the
team back to its former glory. My
plan of action consists of
scheduling practices twice a
week, getting a lot of range time,
spending a good amount of time
in the classroom correcting
Pistol Team
mistakes, focusing on the basics, and
harvesting the immense amount of
talent that we have hidden in the Unit.
I have been to the neighboring indoor
range, BULLSEYE Gun and Pawn,
and I was informed by the range
master and the owner of some falling
outs between them and the Unit a few
years back. I am currently avidly
working on reestablishing a firm and
strong relationship with them and we
are currently in the negotiation stage to
see what sort of deals can be worked
out. The unit has recently received a
letter of approval to shoot the air
pistols out back. This has given us
some much need breathing room
and we will be responsibly and
respectfully taking full
advantage of this opportunity.
The only event that the
pistol team did was the
Captain’s Cup in the fall. The
event was successful and all
went according to plan. The
reason the team did not
compete in any actual shooting
completions was because there
was some confusion in the
chain of command and I
would receive emails about
registering for events after the
registration date. We have done
practices with the air pistols
and we have found a shooting
range that is willing to host us
for our practices at a reasonable
cost. The next thing I am
working on is an actual pistol
qualification. This pistol
qualification would be good
both in the unit and in the fleet.
My goal for that is to get as
many people as possible qualified
with the 9mm pistol. Also as a team
we are looking into getting a rifle
team started. We realized that most
of the freshman that are coming in
shot rifles in high school so in order
to make for a more cohesive unit we
are currently looking into the
likelihood of a rifle team with a rifle
qualification as well.
I plan on taking full
advantage of all the resources
and opportunities that are
presented to me, and I am ready
to make JU NROTC Pistol Team
one of the fiercest pistol teams
Aim Small, Miss Small!
3. Jacksonville University NROTC Prevailing Winds
3
SWO Society
OC Sunda
Recruitment - Mandatory for
Seniors SWO options. Open to
all options and encourage
options that are Aviators (who
wish to be ship based aircraft),
Intel, Oceanography, or ECT
that will work with SWO's.
Weekly Meetings -
Short meeting immediately
following Drill every
Thursday if we need to
communicate something that
we can't do by email.
Monthly Meetings - Tentative,
based on member's input will
be Friday afternoons. First
tentative will be the 19th
OCT.
Speakers - First will be the
CO. Followed by speakers
from the SWO community
from surrounding areas.
Tours - Ship tours in Mayport,
Tours of SWO shore duty
billets at NAS JAX and NS
Mayport.
Learning - First Wednesday of
every month at 0800-1000
Signal Flag and Morse Code
training at NS Mayport with
ATG (Not mandatory,
volunteer basis depending on
schedule). Training with NSI.
Cookouts and Dining.
T-Shirts - Need a volunteer to
come up with design to vote on
and organize. (I will get with
other team commanders to get
information about their shirts).
GET SWOTIVATED!!!!
SPECWAR
MIDN Walker
The JU NROTC Spec-War
team is designed to help all
those interested in Naval
Special Warfare (SEALs) and
Naval Special Operations
(EOD), learn about and prepare
for training within those
communities upon graduation
from the NROTC program.
This past semester the Spec-War
team was busy trying to rebuild its
numbers and bring more interest to
the team, we are still small but the
level of interest is growing and we
have seen physical improvements
across the board from all of our
members. At the end of April three
of our team members will be
heading down to
Daytona Florida to compete in the
7th
Annual Battle for the Beach,
where we will compete against
other Spec –War clubs as well as
other Spec-War candidates. The
next day, two of our members will
be competing in the Daytona
Frogman Triathlon to help raise
money and awareness for the Navy
SEAL Foundation. The JU
NROTC Spec-War team is open to
anyone in the unit and especially
anyone interested in Naval Special
Warfare/Operations all we ask of
our members is to be dedicated to
the team and give a 100% during
every workout. “The Only Easy
Day Was Yesterday”
Colorguard Team
Sgt Hales
The Dolphin Battalion Color Guard is a group
composed of active duty Marines, Sailors and
Midshipmen. The color guard is actively involved in
activities all over the city. Most recently they participated
in the opening ceremonies for two local runs: The
Wounded Warrior Project 8k Run and Travis Manion
9/11 Run. There are also several other events on the
calendar for the rest of the semester ranging from parades
to memorials. Being a part of the color guard is a great
way to reach out to the community and demonstrate your
patriotism. The color guard also offers the opportunity to
refine your skills in drill. This is also a great way to
familiarize you with courtesies, customs, and traditions
regarding our Nation and unit’s flags.
4. Jacksonville University NROTC Prevailing Winds
4
Aviation Club
MIDN Suter
Throughout the semester
the aviation club had many
movie nights with guest speakers
from the Jacksonville University
aviation department, retired
aviators, as well as current
military pilots. At each movie
night, food was provided, events
were planned, and it was made
sure that everyone was on track
in their aviation requirements
such as taking the ASTB,
keeping up their grades, and
excelling in PT.
Also in the Fall
semester, the aviation club
represented the JU NROTC
unit, as well as the club, at the
Wings 'N Wheels Event at Craig
airfield where we helped the
Flight instructors organize plane
rides, brief the passengers for the
flights, and helped collect tickets
for the rides. This was overall a
very successful event and the
aviation club will plan to do it in
the future as well.
The aviation club
brought the academic year to a
close with a banquet at Red
Lobster. The top five most
active members of the club were
awarded $20 toward their meal.
10 unit members attended as
well as CAPT Hadley LT
McDonner.
Sailing Team
MIDN Westbrook
Our mission with the
JUNROTC Sailing Team is to
establish a bond
and comradeship between
individuals within our unit who
share a common interest, "being
on the water." This year's sail
team will use the resources
provided to form an educational
and recreational program, giving
members of the battalion a
chance to grow together. We
will strive to compete in a few
sailing regattas, and quite
possibly host our very own in
the early spring semester.
As a team, we would
like to participate in a long sail,
possibly a cruise, and actively
network with members of the
local NAS Jacksonville Yacht
Club/other local organizations.
Some members of the team have
expressed an interest in
gathering together some of the
unit alumni, involved in the
sport of sailing, and holding an
event. There are lots of
wonderful ideas floating around,
currently, and lots of fun times
that are sure to come. With the
proper instruction and
dedication, I am fully confident
that we will have a phenomenal
program this year.
Trident Society
MIDN Digiannuro
The Trident Society is made up
of individuals who see the
Navy’s Nuclear Power Program
as a possible career option. The
society has formal meetings
every semester and provides
tours of a submarine at the
nearby NSB King’s Bay, GA
whenever possible. Members
JU NROTC UNIT
PICNIC AT
MAYPORT NAS
I was the OIC for the Spring
picnic on April 13. We
grilled/prepared food from the
commissary, and we used
existing and free equipment for
entertainment. This reduced the
amount of BN funds we needed
to spend on catering, pool use,
etc. The door prize budget was
capped at $500, and the event
price tag was approximately
$1300. The event exists to allow
MIDN, active duty students,
and unit staff to gather in a
more relaxed environment
away from the usual encounter
at the unit building. The
feedback that I've received is
that the picnic was overall a lot
of fun.
5. are involved with studying and
preparing for their technical and
admiral interviews in
Washington, DC during their
senior year by the nuclear
power coordinator and
members of the unit who have
previously attended an
interview. The Trident Society
is a group of highly determined
and intelligent individuals who
wish to dedicate themselves to
the nuclear propulsion side of
the Navy.
Nursing Society
MIDN Crouch
The Nursing Society was
established at the end of spring
semester 2012, and started fall
of 2012. This society is
mandatory for all nursing
scholarship student. However,
any midshipmen can participate
in any of the activities that the
Nursing Society hosts. The goal
of this society is to bring MIDN
together to help out in the
community and help teach the
values of being a nurse in and
The Nursing Society has
had breakfast’s meetings
and community service at
food banks. There have
been a total of six nursing
officers from NAS Jax that
have come to speak with
the nursing students at two
different drill periods.
MIDN were allowed to
ask as many questions as
they would like to find out
what the fleet was like.
The two big events that
the Nursing Society has
done this semester are the
blood drive and the
Officers Symposium. The
Officers Symposium
offered an all-day event at
the Naval Air Station
Jacksonville Officers Club.
This event allowed the
MIDN to network and
have questions answered
about what it was like as a
nurse in the fleet. We did
have just nursing students
attend; there were non-
nursing MIDN as well.
As for the rest of the
semester, the unit will be
participating in a blood
drive that is being hosted
through the Nursing
Society. This event is for
the CAPT Cup. Also,
before the end of the
semester there will be a
farewell meeting for
seniors. The date of this
event is still TBA.
Monster Jam at
EverBank Stadium
OIC OC Ruble
Monster Jam was held on February 23rd
.
During the event OCs and IDN were
tasked with positioning throughout the
stadium as ushers and attendants. As
ushers, we were in control of individual
sections and maintaining order. As
attendants the volunteers were utilized
to man elevators and gates. The event
began at 1600 and ended around 2300.
The unit has worked the Monster Jam
event for several years. This fundraiser
has been used to raise funds in the past
as it was this year. The unit requires a
substantial budget to continue unit
activities and clubs. This event provided
a large percentage towards filling the
annual budget.
6. Jacksonville University NROTC Prevailing Winds
6
Area 12 Drill
Competition
OIC MIDN Newsome
On Saturday, 2, March, the Dolphin
Battalion volunteered to assist with the
local Navy JROTC with their annual
Area 12 Drill Competition. This was
held at the Coast Guard hangar on the
former Naval Air Station Cecil Field. A
total of 2 Marines and 20 MIDN
participated in the event. The Marines
were the judges for Armed and
Unarmed Basic Drill, 3 MIDN were rill
judges, one MIDN was the head Color
Guard Judge, and 16 MIDN were
judges for the physical fitness portion of
the meet. The battalion volunteered to
do this event because it is important to
support the local community and assist
an organization that several of our
members are a product of. We look
forward to our continued support of the
local community and the Navy JROTC.
7. Jacksonville University NROTC Prevailing Winds
7
BNCO
MIDN Johnston
The Battalion Commander position has been a very rewarding billet. I’ve learned a lot about how
the battalion works and how to work with others to get goals accomplished on time. Things have
gone fairly smoothly for me this semester, and I owe most of that to my staff. I would probably
say that the hardest thing about being the Battalion Commander is find the balance of knowing
when and what tasks to delegate and what to take care of myself. I’m taking away a lot of
valuable knowledge from my experience this semester and what I’ve learned about leadership will
carry over to my career in the Fleet.
BNXO
MIDN Navas
Being BN XO has been an experience that I hope to take to the fleet. I have had the pleasure of working with a
great BN CO, one who has been helpful yet respectful of what my job is. From that, I have taken one lesson, your
CO can make your life easier, or harder. With this billet I have had to supervise an entire staff as they try to get
what needs to be done. This billet has caused me a lot of stress and consumed a good portion of my time however
it is always rewarding when a task gets completed. The mentorship program has been my main concern this
semester, it was the BNCO's goal to get that implemented this semester and it has. This program will either be a
great thing or a bad thing depending on how the students decide to act.
8. Jacksonville University NROTC Prevailing Winds
8
MIDN Johnston: During my time at the JU NROTC Unit I’ve met some great people that will
become lifelong friends. Some of my favorite memories during my time here come from my freshman year
bonding with my classmates during Delta Company. One that especially sticks out is MIDN Bosanko
running and jumping into the St. Johns River for our Delta Company video. I’ve been able to learn a lot
about leadership and what it means to be an effective and ethical military leader-especially during Skipper’s
class. The key advice I have to leave would be to expect to get out of the ROTC experience exactly what you
put in. If you make good use of your time and put forth the effort to succeed, you will learn much more than
you would otherwise. After commissioning I’ll be entering the Aviation community and heading off to flight
school in Pensacola. I’m very excited to finally enter the Fleet and take the next step in my Naval career, but
I’m very thankful for my time at the JU NROTC Unit and I’ll never forget my time here. Hometown:
Acworth, Georgia.
MIDN Sellars: I attended Jacksonville University my four years here. I am going into the Navy as a
SWO and most enjoyed my summer cruises. I am from Century, FL. My best memory was our Delta
Company video. Something this unit needs to improve on is prior enlisted and MIDN relations. We can
learn so much from them.
MIDN Bosanko: Hometown: Crystal River Florida, Home of the Manatees !!!! Community:
Aviation. Enjoyed about the program: The aspect of the program I enjoyed the most was the people that I
have met. Some of these guys will be lifelong friends. Best Memory: When I received the scholarship.
Improvements: Don’t change due dates
MIDN DiGiannurio: My time at JU has served me well. I have better learned how to fill the role as a
follower, and then as a leader. I have learned various skills which will soon be put to good use throughout
my naval career. During the next few months, I will be beginning my career into the submarine community
in the Navy. Jacksonville University, Submarine community, Hometown-I am from Boca Raton, FL. O&I
was my best memory at the unit. The unit can improve on the lines of communication.
MIDN Brilhante: Name: Renee Capogna Brilhante, School: Jacksonville University, High School
was Sequim High School, Community: Aviation, Hometown: Sequim, WA. Enjoyed: The team, I enjoy
knowing my family size has increased by a few hundred people since being in ROTC. Also enjoyed all of the
life lessons I've learned. Best Memories: One of my best still goes back to freshmen year (plebe semester)
when all of us would take a caravan of vehicles just to go out to eat. Also karaoke at this family
owned Filipino restaurant. Advice: Do your best and do what’s right even when no one’s looking.
Understand that you’re not always right, but you can always learn (reading publications helps with this).
Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see. Nothing’s impossible. Finally, Do what you
love, and Love what you do. Improve: Our expressed attitudes, I know I can for myself. I have no doubt we
all enjoy serving or can't wait to serve, but I think we all could present ourselves a little less negatively or
more positively. Sounds really hippy, but personality has a lot to do with approach-ability, which is
important as a leader. Also, we need to use our time more effectively. During that hour and a half at drill
and PT can cover a lot and create a lot of teamwork. We need to strive to have as much involvement during
that time as possible. I know I wasn't the best at accomplishing this, but every step we can make the better.
Finally, we need people to get use to reading publications.
"The Navy has both a tradition and a future--and we
look with pride and confidence in both directions."
Admiral George Anderson, CNO, 1 August 1961
Graduating Seniors
9. Jacksonville University NROTC Prevailing Winds
9
MIDN White, Brittney: Jacksonville University, SWO Community. Hometown: Evansville, IN
(southern tip of IN). My best memory was during delta company. The entire semester though hard change
me in a good way to be more open, accept challenging situations head on no matter how scary the task, and
camaraderie amongst my fellow senior MIDN. Well communication is always going to be a challenge that
we all have to work on in the unit. But more social events could bring the unit closer together. Like a JU
NROTC ball or nice dinner where we can dress nice and not in uniform.
MIDN Gibbs: Jacksonville University, Aviation. Hometown: Crawfordville, FL. Best memory is of
all the random things we had to go through at O&I which ended up making our class closer as a whole. We
can improve on unit cohesion; which if there is good effort put into this mentor program I believe that it will
get better.
GySgt Allen: University of North Florida, Marine Ground. Hometown: St. Louis, Mo. Graduating
from OCS was my best memory at the unit. The unit can improve by having coffee and donuts available
during the first drill period of every month.
MIDN Alvarez: JU, Marine Aviation, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Graduating and leaving OCS was my
best memory. In order to improve the unit my suggestion would be to give Marines and Marine option
MIDN with a certain PFT score no PT on a set day.
MIDN Malonzo: Jacksonville University, Nurse Corps. Hometown-Jacksonville, FL
OC Lopez: . UNF, Supply Corps. Hometown-San Bernardino, CA. Best memory at unit: Picnics.
The unit can improve on communication.
MIDN Bradley: Jacksonville University, Surface Warfare Community. Hometown-Middleburg, FL.
Best Memory: Captains Cup Challenge/ Commissioning. The amount of communication this year has been
worse than previous years. It needs improving.
OC Gutenberger: Jacksonville University, Aviation community. Hometown-Citrus Heights, CA.
Best Memory: 0530 PT sessions! The unit can improve on emphasizing camaraderie.
MIDN Hensley: JU, Nurse corps. Hometown-Clovis, California. Best memory: Meeting lifetime
friends. The unit can improve on having more morale/unit-cohesion activities/events.
MIDN Thomas White: University of North Florida, Marine Corps. Hometown- Ripley, WV. Best
memory: graduating from OCS and being able to meet the friends I did. Improve battalion PT Program by
putting in a schedule from the beginning of the semester and sticking to it. Also, ensure proper warm up and
formation procedures are used.
MIDN Clayton: I attended Jacksonville University. I will be going into the SWO community. I'm
from Nashville, TN (Best city in the world). My favorite memory would have to be my freshman O&I...and
then partaking in the later O&Is. I really don't know what the unit can do to improve....more parties and
social events? Better communication/passing of word?
MIDN LaRoche: Jacksonville University, Aviation: Pilot. Hometown-Young Harris, Georgia. My
fondest memories of my time at this unit were from my time in Delta Company. I can remember when
MIDN Grim, our Company CO, was at the top of the hill we normally run up for PT at the commuter
parking lot waving the company flag and yelling “Charge the hill Delta Company!!” And I remember doing
pull ups until I reached failure, and MIDN Smith said, “If you guys put out half as hard as LaRoche, we
wouldn’t have to PT so hard.” It really meant a lot to me.The unit does everything it possibly can to facilitate
our time here in college. They are available at all times should we ever have a problem. They support us and
will aid in our studies, physical fitness, and even give advice with personal problems. If anything, the issues
we have are more in the fact that our members either choose not to utilize all of the services provided by the
unit, or they are intimidated by the gap between officers and MIDN. I think it’d be great if the unit would
10. Jacksonville University NROTC Prevailing Winds
10
reinforce its commitment to helping the members of the battalion by emphasizing a non-attributional
atmosphere in regards to visiting the unit. Perhaps it’s left over trauma from Delta Company that makes
people scared to go to the unit, but it’s unnecessary.
MIDN Ayres: JU, Marine Corps Aviation. Hometown-Snow Hill Maryland. Best memory:
Switching to Marine Option. The unit can improve on having monthly Military-related Field
Trips(ex.bases,training stations,etc).
MIDN Bennett: Jacksonville University, Marine Corps. Hometown-Bradenton, FL. The Marine
mess nights are my favorite memories from the unit. I would put more of an emphasis on watch standing at
the unit. Make everyone pass the watch standing qualification tests before moving on to the next level of
watch stander.
OC Ruble: Jacksonville University, Nuke Submarine. Hometown- Mableton Georgia. Best memory:
The picnics. The unit can improve on having better watch standing training.
OC Duncan: UNF , Nurse Corps. Hometown-Mt. Olive, AL. The best and most painful time in the
unit was when I served as the OpsO after just having a daughter and trying for A's in nursing school. I made
it. Despite a lot of complaining within the BN, I think it actually runs pretty smoothly. The communication
could be better, but that varies from student to student who fills the billet. The unit staff is a great fit for this
unit.
MIDN Morris: Jacksonville University, Nurse Corps. Home-South Africa. Best memory: Making
friends. The unit does not need to improve on anything.
Senior Mess Night
