Midshipman in Motion

Nittany Battalion September – October 2022 Newsletter

Captains Corner

Welcome back Battalion!

Although the semester is over halfway through, this is my first opportunity to formally welcome you back in the newsletter. The semester has been off to a great start due entirely to your efforts and I couldn’t be more proud of how you have represented the unit and our Navy and Marine Corps Team! Your willingness to step up and answer the call for each other, the university and the community is commendable. Whether it was color guard for various sporting events, participation in United Way Day of Caring, funeral support for the local community, mentoring Harrisburg NJROTC students and showing them what is in the realm of the possible, or the way you fostered a great relationship with Doggie’s for service assignment, your willingness to perform at a level that continues to exemplify what we stand is noteworthy and you should be proud. Your action build and foster the trust that I speak often of.

A few quick notes of interest. It may not be known to all but thus far this semester the Marine options have run 96.9 miles (I’ll round down to 96 because it is such a motivational number for me), Navy option 58.5 miles and, as a unit you have run a total of 8,795 miles during PT. That’s the equivalent of the unit forming a relay team to the First Island Chain in the Pacific (MIDN Rebert don’t get any ideas). In anticipation of OCS and their future employment, the Marines have also hiked 702 miles thus far this semester. As a unit you have volunteered 214 hours and given 59 units to the blood drive. Last, but certainly not least, you have raised over $30,000

As the semester comes to a close and we approach the holiday season, make sure that you are looking out for your teammates. As a unit staff, our whole purpose here is to remove barriers for you to succeed. Let us know what those barriers are and don’t “suffer in silence.” I am indebted to the Navy for allowing me to return here as your Professor of Naval Science and am looking forward to the great things that we will accomplish as a Battalion in the upcoming months/years. Make sure your uniforms are ready for the ball and come ready to have a great time and celebrate our proud Penn State and USMC history.

CAPT Majewski

Midshipmen of the Month

Meredith Frey

Midshipmen Third Class Frey has demonstrated a superior display of leadership during the first month of the semester. Midshipmen Frey has to lead several group sessions at Wagner to help build camaraderie, esprit de corps, and teach fellow midshipmen naval and Marine Corps knowledge. She not only exemplifies but sets the standards expected of a midshipman. Her hard work and dedication have left a favorable impression on those around her and showcase her commitment to the unit.

~ MIDN 1/C Margarete McKernan

Jenna Haran

Midshipman Second Class Haran goes above and beyond and member of the Penn State NROTC unit. Midshipman Haran has gone out of her way on multiple occasions to stick up for her squad members. She has taken a position in BRC, has committed her efforts to the unit’s remedial PT program, works as an AE tutor, often volunteering to tutor for classes that are not tutor-required, and makes time to help out in our OBG THON organization. Midshipman Haran exemplifies the Navy’s values of honor, courage, and commitment and is a role model for her peers and lower classmen.

~ MIDN 1/C James Sandt

The Old and The New

Senior Service Assignment

On October 6th, 2022, the battalion gathered at Doggie’s Pub for their service Assignment. Weeks prior, the first-class Navy midshipmen submitted their preferences sheet. Midshipmen ranked the warfare communities by their interest in joining them and then sat in anticipation, awaiting their service assignment. Midshipmen have dedicated much of their college experience to this very moment. Whether it was studying for the ASTB, joining clubs and committees, or excelling in their academics, all their efforts were being put forward to their service assignment.

At Doggies, each senior was called up joining Captain Majewski and Commander Kerr. They were then presented with their assignment. The night ended with eleven Naval Aviators, two Information Warfare Officers, seven Surface Warfare Officers, and nine Submarine Warfare Officers. The night followed suit with a celebration. The battalion congratulates all the first-class midshipmen and wishes them the best in their Navy careers. The Penn State NROTC unit is proud of all the seniors and excited to watch them commission this year and eventually become preeminent leaders in their communities.

~ MIDN 4/C Taylor Turley

New Student Orientation

On Monday, August 15th, Penn State NROTC welcomed roughly 30 prospective 4/C MIDN to campus to conduct the Units’ annual New Student Orientation (NSO). NSO is a tool used to introduce them to the unit and instill the discipline needed to be successful in the NROTC program. The MIDN Candidates received classes on military structure, customs and courtesies, program requirements, and many more. While not in the classroom, they were being trained by the upper-class MIDN in areas such as basic drill, physical training, and discipline. The Candidates participated in a campus tour in the form of a run, conducted a swim qualification and workout, and finished off the week by running through our off-campus endurance and obstacle course. The week concluded with a ceremony where the active-duty staff presented the now 4/C MIDN with their rank insignia for the Fall semester, and a battalion barbeque to welcome the new MIDN and their families into the unit.

~ MIDN 1/C Joseph Donofrio

Professional Proceedings

Change of Command Ceremony

On September 1st, 2022, a Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony was held, celebrating CAPT Wayne Wall’s fulfilling career in the submarine community. CAPT Wall assumed duties as Commanding Officer of the Navy ROTC Battalion at Penn State in August 2019. The battalion will always remember to treat everyone with dignity, respect, and professionalism- and to appreciate the sport of pickleball as much as he does.

The ceremony welcomed the battalion’s new Commanding Officer CAPT Mike Majewski, also a Submarine Officer. Both officers used this opportunity to share sea stories and experiences in the fleet. The guest of honor was CAPT Timothy Poe, and he filled the room with laughter and memories of serving with CAPT Wall during his speech.

A Naval tradition was honored by presenting CAPT Wall with a national ensign, passed from service member to service member, until finally given to the Commanding Officer, symbolizing and honoring CAPT Wall’s leadership in the chain of command.

Another testament to Naval customs was carried out as various members around the room stood, reciting lines from the poem “The Watch,” the last line relieving CAPT Wall of the final watch of his career, leaving his command in capable hands

~ MIDN 2/C Julie Claycomb

Day of Caring

On October 6th the Battalion took part in the United Way Day of Caring 2022. The purpose of Day of Caring is to volunteer at specific places that require some form of volunteer help to ensure they can stay well-facilitated throughout the year. This year, the battalion spent its time at the Boalsburg Mansion and the Centre Furnace Mansion. Midshipmen had the opportunity to select a shift throughout their day to assist these attractions. Most midshipmen selected the Boalsburg Mansion for their shift and took turns carrying wheelbarrows of mulch to and from their desired locations. We also assisted the volunteers with clearing the hiking trail at the mansion. Members of the battalion also helped clear the stone walkway that led from the barn to the mansion itself. All in all, the battalion looks forward to events where they can assist the community and help to improve the overall image of the United States Navy.

~ MIDN 2/C Evan Naradko

Feeding Beaver Stadium

Since September 10th, dedicated midshipman have aided the unit in running two concession stands for all home football games. This is an increased duty compared to last year when the unit only had one concession stand. The proceeds from these stands go directly towards unit events and materials. We wanted to thank every midshipman who volunteered their time to help make our unit better.

~ MIDN 1/C Alexander Sanchez | MIDN 2/C Joseph Lock

Questions, Comments, Concerns? Contact us at nrotc@psu.edu or on the contact us page!

Editors: MIDN 1/C Alexander Sanchez | MIDN 2/C Joseph Lock