The Crow’s Nest Nest Fall 2016.pdf · Commander Vosler was commissioned through the Naval...
Transcript of The Crow’s Nest Nest Fall 2016.pdf · Commander Vosler was commissioned through the Naval...
Fall 2016 Volume 1, Issue 3
IIT NROTC Unit
The Crow’s Nest
MESSAGE FROM THE CO: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
Greetings IIT NROTC Family and Friends,
Wow! Another busy semester is rapidly winding down. Just a few months ago, we kicked it off
with New Student Orientation at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes for a second consecu-
tive year. On 29 October we conducted the Chicago Consortium Drill Competition and Endurance
Team Challenge at Illinois Tech. Our NROTC Consortium Flag Officer Sponsor, RADM Lisa
Franchetti (a 1985 graduate of Consortium) was there to present opening remarks and stayed for
the squad and drill team events. Moreover, yours truly competed in the Endurance Challenge,
causing his team to finish last of the five teams in the competition. Two days later, our Color
Guard was standing tall at Soldier Field to present the colors during the National Anthem at the
Chicago Bears-Minnesota Vikings game on Monday Night Football.
The Consortium Field Exercise was conducted at Camp Marseilles, IL, during the first week of
November. It provided our Marine-option and other aspiring Marine midshipmen with valuable
core competencies needed to prepare them for OCS. This event was followed closely by the quad-
rennial NSTC Inspector General Assist Visit on 07-10 November. The Consortium performed
very well during this detailed review and assessment of 33 NROTC programs from financial,
property, and student records to Naval Science instructor requirements, physical readiness as well
as progress on managing other Navy programs. We earned an “outstanding” overall, which is a
testament to the care and dedication of the NROTC Staff as steadfast process owners. Finally, we
held our Annual Navy and Marine Corps Birthday Ball on 18 November at the Union League
Club of Chicago. RADM Mike White, Commander, Naval Education Training Command, (my
boss’s boss) was our guest of honor.
The unit also provided selfless volunteer hours locally by working to feed the less fortunate
through the St. James Parish Soup Kitchen ministry and serving as judges in the Chicago region
NJROTC physical readiness competition hosted by the Westinghouse College Preparatory School.
Our midshipmen have performed superbly and earned the privilege to recharge their batteries by
spending time with family and friends during the upcoming Winter Break. It will be a great op-
portunity for them to forget about school work and early morning NROTC unit events in the
windy cold of Chicago (at least for a little while).
With Veterans Day still fresh in our minds, let us not forget the men and women who have gone before us, especially those making the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The Navy and Marine
Corps team has been at this for 241 years, and we will continue steadfast in the service of our
Nation. You, too, are part of the legacy in the Profession of Arms. We are looking forward to
your visit back to Chicago soon!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
New Staff Members .................2
NSO Week ................................3
Consortium Drill Meet.............4
FEX ..........................................5
Birthday Ball ...........................6
MIDN BATCOM ......................8
St James Volunteering ............9
New Unit Staff Biographies
Commander Vosler was commissioned through the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD)
program. Following flight training in Corpus Christi, Texas and Pensacola, Florida, he
was designated as a Naval Aviator in 1992. He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronauti-
cal University with a Bachelor and Master of Science in Aeronautics.
Fleet assignments include: Antarctic Development Squadron 6 (VXE-6); Helicopter Anti-
Submarine Squadron Light 37 (HSL-37); Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 42
(HSL-42); USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) and USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) with
LAMPS deployments on USS CHOSIN (CG 65), USS YORKTOWN (CG 48), and USS
ANZIO (CG 68).
Staff assignments include: Washington D.C. Placement Officer, Navy Personnel Com-
mand; Deputy Chief in the Command Center and Continuity Branch Chief, Contingency
Operations Division, US Northern Command; Executive Officer, Naval Air Station
Sigonella, Italy; Commanding Officer, Navy Operational Support Center Tulsa; and cur-
rently assigned as Executive Officer and Associate Professor of Naval Science at the
NROTC Chicago Consortium with staffs located at Northwestern University and Illinois
Institute of Technology.
Commander Vosler has more than 3000 flight hours in various military aircraft and his
awards include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two
awards), Air Medal (1st Strike/Flight Award), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and
Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement
Medal (three awards), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star and various oth-
er service and campaign awards.
AMOI: MASTER SERGEANT DONALD HUGHES
XO: COMMANDER ERIC VOSLER
Master Sergeant Hughes serves as the
Assistant Marine Officer Instructor
within the Department of Naval Science
at Northwestern University and Illinois
Institute of Technology.
MSgt Hughes is a native of Toledo, Ohio
and enlisted in the USMC in Sept.
2000.
After enlisting he completed Recruit
Training at Parris Island, SC and Ma-
rine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune,
NC and then on to Artillery Cannoneer
school at Ft. Sill, OK earning the Can-
noneer military occupation special-
ty, and was assigned to 1st BN,
12th Marines in Kaneohe Bay, HI. After
being re-classed to Fire Support Man he
reported to 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liai-
son Company (ANGLICO) in Okinawa,
Japan in Jan. 2005. He completed 2
combat tours in Iraq in support of Op-
eration Iraqi Freedom. In April of 2008
he reported back to Parris Island to
attend Drill Instructor School. During
this tour he served as a Drill Instructor,
Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill In-
structor and Quality Assurance Evalua-
tor. In March of 2012 he reported to
2nd BN, 11th Marines aboard Camp
Pendleton, CA as a Fire Support Liaison
Chief, four months later he was individ-
ually augmented to the 7th Marine Reg-
iment in 29 Palms, CA in order to de-
ploy as a Regimental Targeting Chief to
Afghanistan in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom. In August 2014, he
reported to his current duty serving as
the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor
for both NROTC units.
His personal awards are 3 Navy and
Marine Corps Commendation Medals,
Army Commendation Medal, Navy and
Marine Corps Achievement Medal, 5
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals.
2
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION WEEK
By MIDN 4/C Helpisis Genao
On 16AUG16, the new 4/C Midshipmen
began their journey to becoming future
officers in the United States Navy and
Marine Corps. It started with a meeting
with Captain Brasek and our parents as an
introduction and on what the general
overview of the week would be like. As soon
as the meeting had finished we had to be
locked on and we were to be silent unless
spoken to and refer to oneself as a midship-
man. We learned quickly how to greet the
upper classmen and active duty staff
members. As soon as we changed into our
uniforms and received everything we
needed, we headed out to Northwestern to
meet with the other 4/C midshipmen as
well as the rest of the staff. We were to
recite and read knowledge. Then we
traveled to Great Lakes Naval Station where
we would be staying for four days learning
and experiencing life in the military. Upon
arrival, we were to always sound off, move
with speed and intensity, and execute
proper customs and courtesies.
Throughout the week we experienced and
learned things about the Navy and Marine
Corps that we should know. We learned
about sexual assault and how to prevent
them, the importance of diet and exercise,
ranks and insignias, and much more. These
were essential to learn about fleet and how
to take control of situations that would be
sometimes hard to handle. We were also
taught how to properly wear our uniform.
We were taught how to roll our sleeves,
blouse our boots, and other simple but
much needed things like how to shine our
shoes. We also learned how to march.
During the nights we would hold one-hour
fire watches and must report in with the
accountability and security of the area. In
the mornings, we would have PT sessions
and PRT sessions to experience the intensi-
ty physical fitness. We were also brought
into a confidence chamber in which we
would be gassed so we could gain confi-
dence for the future in knowing that we
could overcome it and stay calm. We also
were taken to a weapon training facility
where we learned how to properly holster,
hold, and shoot a weapon. The weapons did
not contain live ammo but it was being
connected to a pressurized tank that gave it
a slight recoil. On the last day before our
departure we were taught how a vessel
docks and undocks, then debriefed by
Captain Brasek. We learned how to lay the
rope, tie it, hook it, and throw it. This was
also a very important learning experience
because of its life like simulation that could
benefit us in the future.
This experience was fun and eye opening. I
did not know what to expect exactly but
once the yelling and intimidation started I
knew it got serious and fast. I am sure I am
not the only but I was very flustered,
stressed, nervous and tired. Physically
drained because I was not physically
prepared, but through this, there was a
sense of commitment and pride because I
could be part of something bigger. My
favorite parts of the week were the confi-
dence chamber and weapon training
because it was thrilling and my first time
doing anything of that sort. The experience
was great because of it being eye opening
and educational and I would do it over
anytime.
3
Fall 2016 Events
Following the drill competition was the color guard competition. This time, IIT’s color guard team
went first with MIDN Hunt and the color guard commander. Next went Northwestern’s color guard
team with Midn Peters as the color guard commander. Both teams performed exceptionally well, with
no clear winner to the audience. Once all was completed, the scores for the color guard teams were
added up with IIT coming out on top. Although it was a close call, it was a much-needed victory for IIT
to tie the score.
After all drill and color guard equipment had been stowed away, the endurance teams began getting
ready to kick off the race. The race comprised of 5 stations. At each station, the teams were required to
complete a certain set of workouts. Once the teams reached the 5th station, they would turn around
and continue back to the starting point, completing more workouts along the way. The endurance race
also included challenges such as carrying a stretcher with a dummy too and from two stations and also
a submersion in the lake before running the last 1-mile stretch to the finish line. During the entire
race, which was about 5 miles in length, the teams were required to carry two 35 lb. packs. IIT’s team 1
came in first only a few minutes before Northwestern’s team 1, securing the drill meet victory for IIT.
The drill meet concluded with an award ceremony at IIT’s Bog, where Midshipman from both IIT and
Northwestern enjoyed food and drinks. Although IIT won the drill meet, both NROTC Units were
successful in demonstrating
their abilities in close order
drill, through the drill and
color guard competitions, and
physical fitness, through the
endurance race, while also
strengthening the camaraderie
and cohesion of the Chicago
area consortium.
CONSORTIUM DRILL MEET
By Midn 3/C Michael Garcia
On October 29th, midshipmen from both
units competed in the 2016 Chicago area
consortium drill meet. The drill meet was
held at IIT’s Keating Gym and along the
Chicago lakeshore path for the endurance
race. The purpose of the drill meet was to
allow the Midshipmen to demonstrate the
lessons and skills taught by unit instructors
pertaining to close order drill and physical
fitness by competing against each other in
the events of drill, color guard, and an
endurance race. The drill meet also helped
to build camaraderie and cohesion between
the two Chicago area consortium NROTC
units.
The drill meet was ordered with the drill
meet first, then color guard, and lastly the
endurance race. The drill and color guard
events were held inside Keating gym with
the endurance race starting at Keating gym,
looping too and up the Chicago lakeshore
path, and finishing back in front of Keating
gym. The school that won two of the three
drill meet events would be declared the
winner. The IIT
NROTC unit was the
winner of the 2015
Chicago area consorti-
um drill meet and was
eager to keep their title
while Northwestern
was determined to
redeem themselves this
year.
After getting accounta-
bility, staging all neces-
sary gear, and grabbing
some breakfast chow,
the drill meet began
with the drill competi-
tion. Northwestern
went first, with Midn
Placek as the drill com-
mander. IIT’s drill team followed North-
western’s performance with Midn Garcia as
the drill commander. Once the scores were
tallied and compared, the Northwestern
drill team was determined the winners of
the first event.
ENDURANCE RACE
4
FIELD TRAINING EXERCISE
By MIDN 4/C Steven Pohl
On November 4th midshipmen from the NROTC Chicago Consortium participated in the Fall 2016 FEX (Field Exercise) held by the
Army National Guard Reserve Base in Marseilles, Illinois. Approximately 28 active duty staff, and midshipmen participated in the FEX.
The training consisted of the confidence course, a 9-mile hike, briefs by MECEPS, and 1/C midshipmen, a PT session, and small unit
leadership exercise during the day and a half stay.
Upon arrival, all midshipmen were instructed to unpack their ILBE packs which consisted of a 3-part sleeping system, ISO mat, Camel-
bak, an assault pack, and personal gear. From that point on, M16 service rifles were assigned to the midshipmen for the duration of the
FEX. Shortly after, the midshipmen put their ILBE packs on and carried their rifles while getting in a two-column formation to start the
hike. Some midshipmen were given billets that had responsibilities of reporting accountability to the active duty staff members and OCS
graduates. Two, short 5 minute breaks were given at the end of each 3-mile mark of the hike; the midshipmen had the opportunity to eat
a light snack and fix their feet before stepping again. Once the 9-mile hike was completed, the midshipmen were instructed to change out
of their uniforms and make brief head and hygiene calls before classes began. The prior-enlisted Marines spoke to the midshipmen about
the importance of leadership as an officer leading and setting the example for subordinates. Questions were asked pertaining to personal
stories and experiences. The midshipmen got into their sleeping bags around 2300 while 3 others stood a rotational one-hour fire-watch.
Midshipmen on watch stayed warm by a fire once they completed their roving watch.
The next morning the midshipmen changed over into their respective uniforms in preparation of PT led by Capt. Cartica. The PT session
lasted no more than an hour which consisted of a full-body workout and short sprints. Shortly after, the midshipmen prepared to be
transported to the confidence course where they would be given a safety-brief and walkthrough of each obstacle. Once every midshipmen
completed each obstacle 3 times they were given a short break before they ran through the entire course once more. Fortunately, none of
the midshipmen were injured or hurt throughout the duration of the confidence course. Once Midshipman returned to the original loca-
tion, they were given a brief by Midn George about Marine Corps tactics and formations. Following the brief, the midshipmen had the
opportunity to get into fire teams to conduct these formations and get certain objectives completed. Then, a squad was briefed on a
training mission in which leadership was tested by the squad leader to efficiently pass on the orders. Active duty staff and OCS graduates
acted as the enemy and tried to prevent the midshipmen from completing their mission. Both squads were debriefed on their perfor-
mance as a whole and what they did right and wrong (mostly wrong!). From that point on, midshipmen packed their items and prepared
to depart to their respective universities. On the 2-3 hour ride back, most of the midshipmen were dead asleep in the duty vans trying to
recover from their experience of the FEX.
As a 4/C Navy option, I did not really know what to expect of the FEX. All of the participants seemed to be highly motivated and every-
one wanted to get the job done. I remember Capt. Cartica explaining that not everything in NROTC is supposed to be fun, and that some-
times you just have to do what you have to do. I realized that can also be an important life lesson; if an individual continues to complain
about their situation, then not only do they lose motivation, but they also bring down the morale of everybody else involved. The FEX
was an informational and challenging event that I am glad to have experienced.
5
CLASS OF 2017
Northwestern University
MIDN 1/C Akira Crabdree, USNR
Midn 1/C David Filippini, USMC
MIDN 1/C Jenna Garces, USNR
MIDN 1/C Sarah Garces, USNR
MIDN 1/C Lauren Kearney, USNR
MIDN 1/C Philip Kulas, USNR
MIDC 1/C Ryan Pattullo, USNR
MIDN 1/C Michael Yi, USNR
NAVY & MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALL
By MIDN 4/C Dominique Thompson
On November 18th, 2016, Midshipmen from
the NROTC Chicago Consortium gathered at
the Union League Club in downtown Chicago
for the Navy and Marine Corp Military Ball.
Those Midshipmen involved in the ceremony
arrived an hour earlier for rehearsal for
Sword Escort, Color Guard, Cake Detail as
well as the graduating 1/C Midshipmen.
Master Sergeant Hughes did a great job of
preparing the Midshipmen for their respec-
tive roles in the ceremony just as he had for
the Drill and Color Guard Competition earli-
er in the semester. All Midshipmen gathered
at 1900 dressed in their Service Dress Blues
ready to celebrate the Navy and Marine
Corp’s birthday. The ceremony began with
the Sword Escort from Northwestern and
Loyola Universities raising their swords for
the Graduating Seniors, and the Command-
ing Officers and the Guest of Honor, Rear
Admiral Michael S. White, the Commander
of Naval Education and Training Command.
Following the Sword Escort, was the posting
of the Colors by the Color Guard. Then the
cake detail emerged from outside to the Ma-
rine Corp’s Hymn, The Halls of Montezuma.
While the cake detail stood at parade rest, the
Commanding Officer, Captain Brasek, Guest
of Honor, Admiral White, and the youngest
(MIDN Alvarado) and oldest (Staff Sergeant
Victa) in the battalion proceeded to cut the
cake and take the first bites. This symbolizes
a Navy and Marine Corp passing of tradition
from the oldest in the battalion to the young-
est.
Dinner at the Union League Club was fantas-
tic and consisted of perfectly cooked chicken,
asparagus, salad, and bread. The atmosphere
had turned from a serious and ceremonial
one for the actual ceremony to a much more
relaxed and easygoing one for dinner. After
dinner, Captain Brasek thanked everyone
participating in the ceremony and for all the
Midshipmen’s hard work put forth this year
and wished everyone a well-deserved winter
break. Admiral White was then introduced as
a successful and accomplished Naval Aviator
and leader with over 3800 flight hours as
well as commanding the Carrier Strike Group
11. Admiral White spoke about how you
should be willing to take on any challenge
that’s put in front of you for you to overcome.
For example, getting a selection that you
might not originally want, but making the
best of it and hopefully even coming to enjoy
and excel at it. Afterwards, we began to make
chants such as “to the President!” or “to the
Navy!”, which fostered a sense of unity
among all of us, from me as a 4/C Midship-
man to Admiral White.
Having not yet completed a full semester as
an NROTC 4/C Midshipman, being able to
listen to Admiral White speak with each and
every Midshipman made me feel very wel-
come and valued within the Naval communi-
ty. I even worked up the courage to ask him
for a group picture with the 4/C Midshipmen
so that we could all look back at our night
with the knowledge that we were on our way
to joining the same organization as such a
successful man. It was an amazing experi-
ence to be surrounded by a whole battalion of
others who had gone through similar events
and will continue to support one another as
we walk our own paths.
6
7
CLASS OF 2017
Illinois Institute of Technology
MIDN 1/C Jordan Adelman, USNR
Midn 1/C Xavier Aragon, USMC
Midn 1/C Benjamin Frank, USMC
MIDN 1/C Benjamin Jones, USNR
MIDN 1/C Erin Myong, USNR
MIDN 1/C Ignatiy Orlovskiy, USNR
MIDN 1/C Sharon Wehmeyer, USNR
MIDN 1/C Gabriel Wolstenholme, USNR
MIDSHIPMAN BATTALION COMMANDER
By Midn 1/C Benjamin
Frank
As the Fall 2016 semes-
ter comes to a close, I’d
like to reflect upon the
semester as a whole,
including our challeng-
es, triumphs, and de-
velopment. It’s been a
pivotal semester for the
IIT/UIC unit, and I’m
grateful for everyone’s
efforts in striving to
become the best unit
anyone has ever seen.
Over the summer, an
exciting unit change
took place that trans-
ferred all ROTC units
(Navy/Marines, Army,
and Air Force) to the
15th floor of the IIT
Tower. In addition, the
unit staff adjusted to
our new XO and AMOI,
CDR Volser and MSgt
Hughes, who both help
oversee the Chicago
Area Consortium. The
changes required ad-
justments and brought
some growing pains.
However, with the help
from both unit staff
and midshipmen, we
adapted and overcame;
something we all must
do in our future careers
as Navy and Marine
Corps officers.
The unit hit the ground running with NSO week, which developed and trained our future freshmen midshipmen. We didn’t look back from there as the unit was packed with activi-ties. We volunteered at a JROTC unit drill meet, ran the PRT, WON the consortium drill meet, performed hikes and the FEX, and went to our annual Military Ball. On top of that includes our other various ROTC, aca-demic, and personal obligations. I am very proud and would like to congratulate each and every one of our midshipmen in the successful completion of this semester.
It has been a pleasure in overseeing the unit’s operation, watching our underclassmen develop and grow as a leader. I cannot wait for the opportunities the future holds for us and what we will ac-complish, both within and outside of the unit. Si Vis Pacem, Para Belum.
8
By MIDN 4/C William Nicholson
On November 20th, midshipmen from the NROTC Chicago Consortium volunteered for
the Saint James food drive. The midshipmen walked from the IIT Tower to the Saint
James food drive with the toiletries that had been collected prior to the event. Upon arri-
val, midshipmen signed in and began organizing cans of food in the food storage. Once
members from other organizations arrived to volunteer, pizza was served and a brief was
given on the purpose and importance of the food drive. Following that, Midshipmen and
other volunteers worked together to organize and store food in the food storage center.
Full trash bins of food continuously came through the door as everyone searched for the
right spot on the shelf for the food in their hands. Over time, midshipmen and outside
volunteers began to work efficiently until the end of the food drive. During the organiza-
tion and storage of food, bags of nutritionally diverse foods were put together for many
different programs, from the homeless program to the elderly program.
The importance of the food drive is much bigger than it may seem. When there is a com-
munity where families can afford food, elderly can’t pick up groceries, and food stamps
that don’t cover toiletries, food drives like the St. James are there to help. The gloomy
appearance of a person who walks in Saint James in need of food can be depressing, but
the smile of appreciation on their face when they walk out with a bag of food is what made
volunteering at St. James a great experience for the midshipmen.
SAINT JAMES FOOD DRIVE VOLUNTEERING
9
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PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE
IIT NROTC
10 W. 35th Street Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (312) 567-8963
E-mail: [email protected]