From Navy Office of Community Outreach
(MILLINGTON, Tenn.) – Navy Midshipman William Whalen from Westerville, Ohio, participated in the 2018 winter Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) ship selection draft as a future member of the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) community.
More than 40 midshipmen from NROTC units around the country chose to serve as surface warfare officers. Each selecting midshipmen are ranked according to their grade point average, aptitude scores and physical fitness.
“NROTC has taught me the importance of being a leader, as well as learning to ask for help when needed,” said Whalen.
According to their rankings, each midshipman provided a preference of ship or homeport to the junior officer detailer at the Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee. If these preferences were available, they were assigned as requested.
“I am really looking forward to getting my surface warfare qualifications when I get to my ship,” said Whalen.
Whalen, a 2014 St. Charles Preparatory School graduate, has selected to serve aboard USS Portland. Whalen is majoring in mechanical engineering while attending Purdue University. Upon graduation, Whalen will receive a commission as a Navy Ensign and report aboard Portland as a surface warfare officer.
Commissioned in 2017, Portland is home ported at Naval Base San Diego. Portland is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship named after Portland, Oregon. Amphibious transport dock ships are warships that embark, transport and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.
“I hope to bring to the ship my ability to lead, as well as connect with people on a personal level,” said Whalen.
The midshipmen’s ship selection is not only a major personal milestone but also an important day for the ships in the fleet. Not only do the midshipmen choose where they are going to start their Navy career, but the ship they choose will also gain a motivated, eager, young officer to help lead and improve an already great team, according to Navy officials.
"NROTC units across the country instill essential warfighting fundamentals, professional core competencies, and ethics required in a Navy or Marine Corps officer," said Rear Adm. Mike Bernacchi, Commander, Naval Service Training Command, which includes the NROTC Program. "I am enormously proud of our graduating midshipman for completing this demanding program, and look forward to them joining the fleet."
“The SWO ship selection means that the path to the future has been paved for me and that I’m able to graduate from Purdue University and take my knowledge from here to do great things,” added Whalen.