NROTC midshipmen change command

This past Monday marked the bi-annual turnover of battalion and company leadership for the Navy Reserve Officer TraininG Corps (NROTC) department as the Midshipmen responsible for the planning and coordination of NROTC and its events stepped down to allow for new leadership in the upcoming semester. During this ceremony, the battalion colors were passed from the offgoing Battalion Commander, MIDN 1/C Kieran Weldon '24, a Navy Midshipman who is set to commission as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) EDO following graduation next May. Taking the helm of the battalion was MIDN 1/C Ryan O'Connor '24, a Marine Midshipman who was previously the Battalion S1. With the battalion transfer complete, Marine Company conducted their change of command. MIDN 1/C J. Addison Hagan V '24 handed control of the company to MIDN 1/C Russell Crouch '24 thus relieving himself of his duties and passing the standard to the next inheritor as MIDN Crouch retired from his station of platoon sergeant. With the closing statement given by the oncoming Marine Company CO, Navy Company took their place at the front of the formation. MIDN 1/C Faith Guy '24 looks forward to commissioning as a Naval Flight Officer, handed command of the company to MIDN 1/C Jake Clift '24 who will commission as a Submarine Warfare Officer upon graduation. After their respective remarks, the ceremony concluded and the battalion fell out to continue the rest of their day, preparing for exams and finishing the academic semester strong. The off-going battalion commander MIDN Weldon reflected on his time in the billet by saying: "When I came in as a Rat I wasn't in a position where I could make a change. Stepping into this position, I saw that my role models were integral to my character and my vision for what I wanted the Navy Company to be. My class has had an impact on the program, showing that we can grow into officers and improve ourselves, being much more creative with a lot of good suggestions and good moments as a team. We did what we set out to do, develop good leaders and good officers. I know I'm leaving the battalion in good hands. We're going to continue in the precedent of setting an example to the lower classes of what good peer leadership looks like." With the transition of responsibility complete, MIDN O'Connor looked forward to his new role expressed in the words: "I'm excited to carry the momentum that was generated over the past semester and Fall and bring that into the spring. I'm looking forward to improving the standards for both Navy and Marine Company, making NROTC the best it can be and becoming the pinnacle of ROTC at VMI. I want to bring back pride in being a NROTC Midshipman whether it be Marine Corps or Navy. My goal is to ensure that all the Midshipmen that graduate from our program are well endowed and prepared for a life in service, knowing that it's not about them." Similarly, MIDN Hagan recounted his experience saying: "Overall, this semester was a lot different than anything I'd experienced in ROTC in the past. I think it was the same for everyone else. We were introduced to high standards and have awesome staff that put a lot of energy and time into making us better. It started out as a bit of a shock to everybody as far as the change in culture; however, It was cool to see everyone embrace it and help Marine company advance to where it is now and hopefully that will progress into next semester." Likewise eager to assume command was MIDN Crouch who stated: "I'm eager to work with the Midshipmen this upcoming semester. I'm already working on some of the administrative aspects so that we can not only have a smooth transition into next semester but also increase the quality and tempo of our training. I look forward to executing training for Bulldog Platoon as they prepare for Officer Candidate School (OCS) as well as the rest of Marine Company. We have a lot to look forward to." This was complemented by the words of MIDN Clift: "I'm very excited and honored to assume the role of Navy Company CO. I'm looking to improve the standards for all Navy company Midshipmen both contracted and not contracted. I think this year is going to be a great year with Spring FTX coming up, something I want to discuss with the 1/C Navy Midshipmen and possibly come up with a new plan. I want to boost the morale of Navy Company and make sure it stays high. This position is something that is new for me, I've never had a large leadership role. That being said, this is going to be a new learning opportunity for me and I'm ready to get after it." The conduct of the NROTC battalion has seen a marked elevation in quality over the past semester, progress which is already being pursued by the oncoming command teams. The offgoing left large shoes to fill; however, the capabilities of the oncoming team as well as the foundation from the past semester hold great expectations for the future of the battalion as a whole.