Jacksonville, Fla. 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 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.

Mitscher is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer home-ported in Norfolk, Virginia.  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.   

“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.