By Mass
Communication Specialist 3rd Class Theodore Quintana Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(MILLINGTON, Tenn.) – Navy Midshipman Devin Haynes from Jacksonville,
Florida, 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.
“During my time at the Savannah State University NROTC I've
been able to learn not only important skills that will be able to help me in my
military career but in life as well,” said Haynes.
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.
“To me the SWO ship selection is the finish line for my
NROTC career and the beginning of my Navy career as an ensign,” said Haynes. “Aside from my graduation from Savannah State University and my commissioning into the
U.S. Navy this will be the biggest part of my time in college.”
Haynes, a 2012 Terry Parker High School graduate, has
selected to serve aboard USS Mitscher. Haynes is majoring in Criminal Justice while
attending Savannah State University. Upon graduation, Haynes will receive a
commission as a Navy Ensign and report aboard Mitscher as a surface warfare
officer.
“When I get to my first ship I'm looking forward to my first
day there,” said Haynes. “When I finally get to my first ship I'll be able to
finally start using the knowledge and skills that I've been learning and
studying over my time in the NROTC program. Getting to my first ship will be
the first part of the next step in my Naval career.”
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.
“When I get to my first ship I'll be able to contribute to
the morale of the ship and as far as leadership traits I'll be able to use
selling methods that will inspire and motivate those around me,” said Haynes.