By Mass
Communication Specialist 3rd Class Theodore Quintana Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(MILLINGTON, Tenn.) – Navy Midshipman Mitchell Cleary from Norfolk,
Virginia, 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 allowed me to develop time management
skills, teamwork and perseverance,” said Cleary. “While in NROTC I also developed my
ability to work with others, and to become a team player. Finally, during my
time in NROTC I had to overcome many roadblocks and challenges to success, and
I learned how to persevere through challenges to achieve my goals.”
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.
“SWO ship selection allows me to choose a ship where I can
put into practice all of the skills that I have learned throughout my time in college
and in the NROTC program,” said Cleary.
Cleary, a 2013 Matthew F. Maury graduate, has selected to
serve aboard USS Mesa Verde. Cleary is majoring in Russian Language/Eastern European
Studies while attending the University of Virginia. Upon graduation, Cleary
will receive a commission as a Navy Ensign and report aboard Mesa Verde as a
surface warfare officer.
Mesa Verde is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock home-ported in Norfolk, Virginia. The
ships are used to transport and land Marines, their equipment and supplies.
These ships support amphibious assault, special operations
or expeditionary warfare missions.
“I am
looking forward to a ship where I can be challenged and successfully lead
sailors,” said Cleary.
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 am
skilled with time management and prioritizing what needs to be completed in
order to reach a goal,” said Cleary. “While serving as an EMT in college I
learned how to think calmly while under pressure, and I am committed to working
well in a team.”