Monday, February 20, 2017

Newton, Mass. Native participates in NROTC Ship Selection Draft

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.”