YEARBOOK

Captain’s Corner
First and foremost I want to thank all the Florida Gator Midshipmen and the Unit military
and civilian staff for all the hard work and dedication you continue to show every day. I am inspired
by how hard our Midshipmen work every day to balance their military duties with the rigors
of challenging academic majors. I am also eternally grateful to our Unit staff who work tirelessly
every day to help our students succeed in pursuit of their dreams of being commissioned
as Navy Ensigns and Marine Corp Second Lieutenants. The teamwork that I see every day and
how much our team cares about the success of the Naval ROTC program and the people in it
are an inspiration and the reason I look forward to coming to Van Fleet Hall every day.
For our senior Midshipmen who are on the cusp of being commissioned as officers, you
will be part of a military that is one of the best-trained, best-funded and most respected of any in
the world. That reputation is founded on hundreds of years of personal sacrifices made by Soldiers
and Sailors who came before us and who fought to preserve peace and stability wherever
and whenever it was threatened.
Leadership has always been the foundation of our military’s success …it is the leadership
you as future officers will provide on a daily basis to those whose only desire is to be part
of an organization that is the finest anywhere and is founded on the principles that make our
country great. It won’t always be easy and you will be challenged every day to hold true to the
moral and ethical values you have been taught here and are expected to follow as commissioned
officers. The reward is knowing that you are answering a call to duty that few in our nation
can or ever will. Know though that those who don’t or cannot serve still count on you every
day to preserve our country, our freedom and our way of life.
It has been my greatest of honors to have been the Commanding Officer of the University
of Florida NROTC Gator Battalion and the Midshipmen who have been and still are an important
part of it. As I approach the last chapter of my military service to this country I leave
knowing that our nation is in good hands and that we have rightfully and confidently entrusted in
you do whatever it takes to keep this country safe.
As history has shown us, the future is never certain with each day unpredictable and different
from the next…and that the course of events can and will change on a moment’s notice
and challenge you as it has so many others in the past. I have no doubt that the training you
have been provided and the leadership skills you have developed will carry the day no matter
what you do, what you are asked to do and wherever you are. Our Nation is In good hands.
Captain James Morgan, USN