The Spur & Anchor - UT NROTC Alumni

The Spur & Anchor
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT Austin
NAVAL RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS
Volume 2 Issue 2
Congratulations to the
Graduating Class of 2013!
Top (L-R):MIDN Thomas Shirley, MIDN Zach Harvey, OC Andrew Adams, MIDN Carley Tadlock.
Middle (L-R): MIDN Daniel Culpepper, MIDN John Garcia, SSgt Ricardo Fernandez, MIDN Alyssa
McKinney, MIDN Jalyssa Bridges. Bottom (L-R): MIDN Michael Lowe, MIDN Charles Cahoon, MIDN
Andrew Watkins, MIDN Joseph Wright. Not Pictured: OC Daniel Gresham, GySgt Jason Haglund, MIDN
Jordan Reyes.
For information regarding the Commissioning Ceremony please
turn to Page 9.

HOMETOWN: Dallas, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: UT-Austin, Electrical Engineering
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: Nuclear Submarines
SHIP: N/A
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: The Run to Dallas has
always been an inspiring event. It’s great to see all of the battalion
members getting together and supporting each other
through the traditional run. I believe it’s a perfect time to get
to know the other members of the unit and build camaraderie.
ADVISE FOR OTHER MIDN: Make sure you get to know
your fellow midshipmen and support them through your
time here. You all should be able to depend and fall back on
one another when having troubles. A support system within
the unit will make your time at the UT NROTC much more
enjoyable.
Andrew M. Adams
HOMETOWN: Lufkin, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: Nursing
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: Nurse Corps
SHIP: Naval Medical Center San Diego
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: My Freshman orientation
is the fondest memory I have of the University of Texas
NROTC battalion. I learned so much in that one week about
the culture, tradition, and teamwork of the Navy and Marine
Corps. My battle buddies and I overcame all obstacles
put in front of us and still wanted to participate in NROTC
for the next years to come. Trials and tribulations create
the deepest bonds, and I feel that we became a stronger
battalion because of Freshman orientation.
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: I would advise other Midshipmen
to stay focused on the goal they set for themselves.
People do not work so hard to achieve things they
do not really want. The UT NROTC unit will push you to be
a better officer at every turn. Do not forget why you chose
to join the battalion, because it will guide you throughout
your college and Naval careers.
Jalyssa Bridges
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HOMETOWN: San Antonio, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: Huston Tillotson, Mathematics
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: Surface Warfare Officer
SHIP: DDG 64 Carney
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: My time in the battalion
executive officer billet. From that position I could influence
the whole battalion and work with my staff to implement
changes and experiment with others. The camaraderie I
experienced while in the billet was second to no other. I got
a taste of what it will be like to work in a real command as
an officer, in dealing with assignments and working with a
complex group of people.
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: Get involved with battalion
activities. Actively seek to instill a sense of loyalty for your
fellow shipmates within yourself. Establish healthy lifestyle
habits while you are in the program, because the habits you
instill here will carry over to the fleet, and will contribute
positively or negatively to your overall career experience. It
is up to you to decide which way it will impact you. You will
be a role model for all Sailors, and civilians. You want to be
a naval officer? Start acting like one.
Charles G. Cahoon
HOMETOWN: Fredericksburg, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: Huston Tillotson, Sociology
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: TBS Class 1.14 Alpha Company
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: My fondest memory
at the unit would have to be the Tulane Drill meet in 2012.
I was the OIC and the Buccaneer Drill Team Commander
at the time with a team comprised of all 4/C Midshipmen.
Despite how we preformed against other schools, it was a
huge accomplishment both for my team and personally to
have a flawless evolution and a time of bonding with our
fellow Midshipmen. I learned a lot during that trip and it
also raised my confidence as a leader going into OCS.
Daniel V. Culpepper
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: Always keep in mind you are
here for a reason. Either for a purpose of military service or
for self discovery, whatever the cause, always keep that at
the forefront of all your motivation. You have come far and
accomplished much but this is only the beginning. Keep
in mind no matter what happens you had the grit to go
and give it all you had. But before that you have to give it
everything you have, otherwise you will never know what
you came to discover and never complete what you came
to do.
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HOMETOWN: San Antonio, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: Huston Tillotson, History
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: TBS July 9
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: Being asked by two
newly commissioned Ensigns to take part in their first salutes.
It was an honor to be chosen to participate in such a
special moment in their lives.
ADVISE FOR OTHER MIDN: Keep your eyes and ears open,
your mind sharp and soak in every bit of knowledge for your
took kit because pretty soon you will be using those tools to
build up others.
Ricardo Fernandez
HOMETOWN: El Paso, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: Huston Tillotson, Kinesiology
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: October 2013
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: Freshman orientation,
none of us graduating seniors had any clue who each other
were or how great of friends we would become over
the next four years. Something about going through that
process together and acceding into the battalion was like
reaching a life goal, when in all actuality it was only the
beginning of a long process of which 35 of us started and
only 10 midshipmen were left. Shuttling back and forth in
the RAS building is something I will never forget, nor will I
forget my friends and now fellow officers that were there
with me at the beginning.
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: Stick it out. When this program
gets tough and your back’s against the wall, remember
that the pay off at the end of all those sacrifices is way
more gratifying than any hour of sleep or civilian job. This
program is what you make of it. If you really want to experience
all that you can, I highly encourage you to try
and participate in as many events as possible. If I had the
chance to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.
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John A. Garcia

HOMETOWN: Alexandria, VA
SCHOOL/MAJOR: UT-Austin, Computer Science
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: IW Officer
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: My fondest memories
at the battalion all have to fall back on learning. I enjoyed
learning from the experience of others, like sea stories or a
particular ethical dilemma. More specifically, I really enjoyed
when Major Kopke told us how he dealt with a reward that
he had assigned to one of his Marines that was taken negatively.
The outcome was fair and learning experience for all
involved including those of us actually listening. Additionally,
I also enjoyed hearing about XO’s particular brands of
justice and how he cleaned up the ships he was on to make
the fleet a better place for all of us.
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: Be humble, the people around
you know more than you and are trying to teach you. Do not,
under any circumstances, take upper division classes while
taking physics. Get your physics and calculus out of the way
first. Do not be afraid to ask for help from MECEP’s and OC’s,
that is part of the reason we are here. If you are told to read
documentation for some event, DO IT!! The odds are more
in your favor if you do and against you if you do not.
Daniel Gresham
HOMETOWN: Orchard, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: UT-Austin, Government
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: USMC/TBS
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: The best times at the
unit were being part of the Leatherneck Platoon and holding
the billet of BNXO. The Leatherneck platoon always
offered the chance to teach the younger members of the
platoon Marine based things.
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: My advice for the younger
members of the battalion is to find the balance between
school and the unit. When your chance to lead comes, take
it by the horns and fight the good fight. The time will go
by faster than you think now, so be ready when the end
comes.
Jason C. Haglund
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HOMETOWN: Austin, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: Huston Tillotson, History
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: Marine Corps Aviation
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: Participating in RTD
in Fall of 2011. The way the staff organized RTD was the
way it should be. It created unit morale across all classes,
and is the best example of a good ROTC event. My fondest
memory of that event was running over 30 miles, and then
singing cadence on the last interval with my other classmates
and Marines.
Zachariah M. Harvey
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: Don’t worry about the little
things you can’t control; all it will do is keep you from
maintaining your goal which is to commission. It’s also
necessary to switch out of a major you can’t handle before
it brings you down or burns you out. Lead from the front in
everything, this is especially true for physical fitness. Don’t
become complacent as an upperclassmen because you
think you’ve proven yourself already: you haven’t.
HOMETOWN: Overton, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: UT-Austin, Biology
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: Surface Warfare
SHIP: USS Comstock
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: Most of my fondest
memories were only fond after they were over. Looking
back our freshman orientation was a great experience for
all of now 1/C Midshipmen. We still tell stories of that
week to this day. Also I had a great experience running the
Zimmerman Recon Challenge with former MIDN Chacon,
White and Peterson. Freshmen year was by far the most
challenging and memorable year at the University of Texas.
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: My advice for our underclassmen
is do not try to get through this program alone. Use
the support of your fellow midshipmen and your family; I
would not have made it through without their encouragement.
Also start making good habits now. That includes
eating right, working out regularly and making the right
decisions. Once you change your mindset and you are
used to taking care of your health, being prompt and doing
right by your peers and those you are leading, it will all
be much easier. Good luck to everyone!
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Alyssa McKinney

HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA
SCHOOL/MAJOR: UT-Austin, Economics
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: Surface Warfare/Intelligence
SHIP: USS Nimitz
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: Commissioning is always
the fondest memory within the command - watching
your peers receive rank and earn AD status is inspiring. Furthermore,
selection is an awesome time every year - hearing
what you and your peers have earned selection-wise is
awesome. They’ve worked hard for their various fields, and
it is exciting to see where they are headed post-commission.
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: Use your peers - remember that
they are there to help, and they can provide assistance in a wide
variety of areas. Often, they can be quite knowledgeable about
academics, however, even with unit-related topics and uniform
questions. Furthermore, become friends with the AD folks in the
unit - the OCs and MECEPs are an excellent source of information
- and they’ve been there and have served, so become friends with
them and use their expertise.
Mark Phillips
HOMETOWN: Del Rio, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: Huston Tillotson, Kinesiology
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: TBS October 2013
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: I look back on my
short tenure and am particularly fond of the 2010 Run to
Dallas event. The experience and camaraderie that event
was able to instill in me has made me truly proud to be a
part of UTNROTC. To have the honor of participating in an
event that began decades ago by members of the same
program that I have progressed through is an extremely
jubilant feeling that I will carry and brag about to others
for years to come.
Jordan Reyes
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: For those that are still working
to fulfill the requirements for commissioning, I wish all
good luck. The lessons that I have learned come not only
from the time spent at the unit, but many times from those
that have shared in similar experiences outside the life of
ROTC. The bonds of friendship and brotherhood forged
here are ones that will supersede those of the past, and I
believe are capable of withstanding the test of time. Therefore,
look to one another to find support and be that same
pillar for others.
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HOMETOWN: Pflugerville, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: UT-Austin, Mathematics
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: Pilot
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: Having to give a
speech for Run to Dallas at the torchlight parade. All the
students and lit up torches in front of the tower will be
one of my favorite memories, and catching the game ball
from Mack Brown. A great night that I will never forget.
ADVISE FOR OTHER MIDN: Remember what you came to
ROTC for. Over time it gets hard, but you need to remember
what you want. Even though other students aren’t as responsible
as you have to be, I can’t imagine a more rewarding way
to live my life than serve my country.
Thomas Shirley
HOMETOWN: Islip Terrace, NY
SCHOOL/MAJOR: UT-Austin, Environmental Geographical
Science
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: Surface Warfare Officer
SHIP: USS Oak Hill LSD 51
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: My fondest memory
is actually my freshman orientation. When my class reported
on the first day of orientation we had 26 Midshipman.
Orientation was a quick awakening to what I “was getting
myself into”. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t always fun, but
looking back on it made my class locked on and gave me
some great stories to tell.
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: Stay with the program. Although
it seems like you will never reach the light at the
end of tunnel, you will. When you finally get to your last semester
you will look back and realize everything was worth
it. At the end of it all you will have met some of your best
friends and had some of the most unique/amazing college
experiences compared to your civilian peers.
Carley M. Tadlock
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HOMETOWN: Bogata, TX
SCHOOL/MAJOR: Huston Tillotson, History
SERVICE SELECTION/TBS: Class 1-14 Reporting 15 Oct 13
FONDEST MEMORY AT THE UNIT: The camaraderie and
pain on my first Run To Dallas in 2009.
ADVICE FOR OTHER MIDN: You are in college, don’t limit
your friend list to just ROTC, get out there and meet people.
You aren’t in just any college town, you are in ATX, explore
this city and you will not regret it. Listen when they say, “This
is the place to make mistakes”, because it is true! Do not be
afraid to make mistakes! And, there is always time to get a
little PT into your schedule.
Joseph C. Wright
The University of Texas
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps
Spring 2013 Commissioning Ceremony
Date: May 17, 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Venue: Texas Union Theater
For more information please
contant Elaine Vianello at
512-471-7649
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