MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Ensign Cayden Rollins, a native of Clyde, Ohio, recently graduated from the U.S. Navy's Officer Development School (ODS) on March 29.
_pp%20copy.jpg)
Rollins, a 2018 graduate of Clyde High School, joined the Navy four months ago. Additionally, Rollins graduated from Heidelberg University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Ursuline College in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
"I knew I always had a purpose to serve for something bigger than myself," said Rollins. "My father and great-grandfather were also in the Navy and are two people who I look up to and wanted to follow in their footsteps, while also paving my own path."
_pp%20copy.jpg)
Rollins, a 2018 graduate of Clyde High School, joined the Navy four months ago. Additionally, Rollins graduated from Heidelberg University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Ursuline College in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
"I knew I always had a purpose to serve for something bigger than myself," said Rollins. "My father and great-grandfather were also in the Navy and are two people who I look up to and wanted to follow in their footsteps, while also paving my own path."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Clyde.
"With Clyde being such a tight-knit community, I learned to never forget where I came from and to appreciate the morals a small town can teach you," said Rollins. "I always knew I was meant to leave my hometown and create my own story, and Clyde has shaped me into the individual and leader equipped to do just that. I am forever grateful for all the individuals within the community who have groomed me into the man I am today. You know who you are. I love you all."
ODS is one of four officer accession programs operating at Officer Training Command Newport, Rhode Island. This is the final step in a sailor’s transition into the Naval Officer Corps. This course is comprehensive, intense and designed to reinforce understanding of the responsibilities of a naval officer.
Rollins will serve as a Nurse Corps officer at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command San Diego.
“Graduating ODS was not an easy task by any means," said Rollins. "It took a lot of discipline, hard work and commitment to graduate and I'm very proud of that. However, this is just a stepping stone in my journey and a page in my book. I'm looking forward to the opportunities I will have within the Navy and my nursing career, and I'm looking forward to fulfilling my duties as a naval officer."
Rollins has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
Rollins will serve as a Nurse Corps officer at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command San Diego.
“Graduating ODS was not an easy task by any means," said Rollins. "It took a lot of discipline, hard work and commitment to graduate and I'm very proud of that. However, this is just a stepping stone in my journey and a page in my book. I'm looking forward to the opportunities I will have within the Navy and my nursing career, and I'm looking forward to fulfilling my duties as a naval officer."
Rollins has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"As a newly graduated naval officer, my proudest accomplishment thus far is being equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in both my fellow shipmates' lives and civilian lives," said Rollins. "I want to make a difference in every person I come in contact with while continuing to successfully carry out the Navy's mission and ethos daily."
Rollins serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy can mean various things for various individuals," said Rollins. "For me personally, it shows my passion and determination for wanting to serve something bigger than myself as a person, while healing, treating and caring for my patients as a nurse. I get to combine both of these aspects daily with my career in the Navy and I am very appreciative of that. Being the third generation to serve in the Navy means a lot to me, and being able to carry on my father's and great-grandfather's legacy is something I've been looking forward to doing and I hope I can continue to pass on this legacy."
Rollins is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
"I'd like to thank my family," said Rollins. "I would not be the man I am today without all of your support and guidance along the way, I am forever indebted to you all and can not thank you enough for all of your continued love, support and kind words. To my mother, you have no idea how much you mean to me. Without you, there is no me. You are my inspiration, confidant and the person I do everything for. I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me. To my father, thank you for shaping me into the man I am today. I aspire to be half the man and sailor you are. I wouldn't be in this position without your support and guidance. To my grandparents, you guys are my world. I have never met such selfless, caring, supportive grandparents. You have always been there for me and still to this day support me in everything I do. I love you all more than you could ever imagine and I hope that I can be half the person you guys are one day. Lastly, to my friends, you guys have changed my life in so many ways. You all have given me different perspectives on how to look at life and have helped me create the best version of myself. I cannot thank you guys enough for all your mentorship, support and love along the way. I owe the world to you guys. I can't wait for you to visit me in San Diego."
"With my journey in life abruptly changing, I understand a lot of changes will be made, so I leave you all with this; every day of my life is a gift and a miracle," added Rollins. "I won't settle for less than having it all. To experience everything possible that life can offer. To live a life with meaning. To smile and laugh often. Until the day I leave this amazing journey. Hooyah."
Rollins serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy can mean various things for various individuals," said Rollins. "For me personally, it shows my passion and determination for wanting to serve something bigger than myself as a person, while healing, treating and caring for my patients as a nurse. I get to combine both of these aspects daily with my career in the Navy and I am very appreciative of that. Being the third generation to serve in the Navy means a lot to me, and being able to carry on my father's and great-grandfather's legacy is something I've been looking forward to doing and I hope I can continue to pass on this legacy."
Rollins is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
"I'd like to thank my family," said Rollins. "I would not be the man I am today without all of your support and guidance along the way, I am forever indebted to you all and can not thank you enough for all of your continued love, support and kind words. To my mother, you have no idea how much you mean to me. Without you, there is no me. You are my inspiration, confidant and the person I do everything for. I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me. To my father, thank you for shaping me into the man I am today. I aspire to be half the man and sailor you are. I wouldn't be in this position without your support and guidance. To my grandparents, you guys are my world. I have never met such selfless, caring, supportive grandparents. You have always been there for me and still to this day support me in everything I do. I love you all more than you could ever imagine and I hope that I can be half the person you guys are one day. Lastly, to my friends, you guys have changed my life in so many ways. You all have given me different perspectives on how to look at life and have helped me create the best version of myself. I cannot thank you guys enough for all your mentorship, support and love along the way. I owe the world to you guys. I can't wait for you to visit me in San Diego."
"With my journey in life abruptly changing, I understand a lot of changes will be made, so I leave you all with this; every day of my life is a gift and a miracle," added Rollins. "I won't settle for less than having it all. To experience everything possible that life can offer. To live a life with meaning. To smile and laugh often. Until the day I leave this amazing journey. Hooyah."