by Kayla Good,
Navy Office of Community Outreach
(MILLINGTON, Tenn.) – Navy Midshipman William Byrne from Newton,
Massachusetts, 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.
“NROTC has given me confidence to grow as a leader and has
given
me the opportunity to learn from some of the most capable individuals
around the nation who I had the privilege of meeting through the NROTC
program,” said Byrne.
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.
“This process represents the start of a new chapter of my
life,” said Byrne. “I will be honored to serve in the world's most accomplished
and respected Navy and I am eager to learn from the elite.”
Byrne, a Catholic Memorial School graduate, has selected to
serve aboard USS Fort McHenry. Byrne is majoring in economics while attending College of
the Holy Cross. Upon graduation, Byrne will receive a commission as a Navy
Ensign and report aboard McHenry as a surface warfare officer.
McHenry is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship home-ported in Mayport, Florida. Dock
landing ships transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with their
crews and embarked personnel in amphibious assault operations.
“I am looking forward to approaching this new experience
with an open mind knowing that I have earned a privilege to learn from the very
best,” said Byrne. “I am also looking forward to creating strong friendships
with those who I will be working alongside.”
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.
“I will bring a strong work ethic and dedication to those who
I will be working alongside,” added Byrne. “I will bring the mindset that I
have a lot to learn as a new junior officer but that I have the foundational
skills to become a great Surface Warfare Officer with the support of my fellow
sailors.”