Florence, S.C. Native participates in NROTC Ship Selection Draft

By Mass Communication Specialist 3^rd Class Theodore Quintana Navy Office of Community Outreach

(MILLINGTON, Tenn.) – Navy Midshipman Frederic Keyhea from Florence, S.C., participated in the 2017 spring Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) ship selection draft as a future member of the U.S. Navy’s Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) community.

More than 280 midshipmen at Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) units around the country have selected to serve in the Navy as surface warfare officers. Each selecting midshipman is ranked according to his or her grade point average, aptitude scores, and physical fitness.

“The NROTC program has benefitted me because it taught time management, responsibility and an insight of how a junior officer should function in the fleet,” said Keyhea.

According to their rankings, each midshipman provided their 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.

“Ship selection is important because it gives the graduating seniors a chance to research their desired ship's mission and tradition for their first tour,” said Keyhea.    

                                                                            

Keyhea, a 2013 South Florence High School graduate, has selected to serve aboard USS Paul Hamilton. Keyhea is majoring in Political Science while attending Savannah State University. Upon graduation, Keyhea will receive a commission as a Navy Ensign and report aboard Hamilton as a surface warfare officer.

Hamilton is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer home-ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. Destroyers can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups and underway replenishment groups.

“I am looking for a ship that can provide the foundation and mentorship in order for me to accustom myself into the Navy's culture and what it takes to become a well rounded and effective division officer,” said Keyhea.

The midshipmen’s selection of their ship is not only a milestone for them but also an important day for the ships in the fleet. Not only do the midshipmen choose where they are going to start their Naval career, but the ship they choose will also gain a motivated, eager, young officer to help lead and improve an already great team.

While NROTC units are spread out across the country and vary in size, they all teach midshipmen the values, standards, abilities and responsibility that it takes to become a Navy officers and lead this nations sons and daughters in protecting freedom on the seven seas.

“The leadership that I will bring to the ship is the navy`s core values of honor, courage and commitment,” said Keyhea. “I believe that these traits can be implemented and used everyday, then the rest should follow along the way.