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Commanding Officer’s Call
Vandal and Coug Alumni, What a year this has been! I hope this Mainstay finds you in good spirits and good health. As my tour on the Palouse comes to an end, I want to thank my staff and the battalion for the amazing work they have done over the past three years, and flexibility they displayed, especially during the past four months. This year started a little earlier for many members of the staff with New Student Indoctrination. This new program is a three -week military indoctrination program for incoming NROTC students from across the country hosted at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. The staff and I lead the second indoctrination cycle providing training for 480 incoming freshmen. Between the two cycles more than 900 incoming NROTC Midshipmen received training in fire fighting, line handling, swim survival skills, small arms fire and basic watchstanding. Many of our own seniors participated as Midshipman Instructors gaining a valuable leadership training opportunity. This year, the two universities started on different weeks leaving us little time to introduce new battalion members in NROTC Midshipmen life. That didn’t stop the freshmen from excelling. In November, we celebrated the Navy and Marine Corps’ birthdays in the Senior Ballroom of the CUB. CMDMC Dunlap, then Command Master Chief for NROTC, spoke to us about servant leadership. Prior to final exams, we held our third annual holiday party at the Latah County Fair Grounds to reduce stress before finals and celebrate our successes before the holidays. Spring semester brought a mild winter and Seniors eager to commission. We scheduled Senior Mess Night before Spring Break to make April easier to manage. The timing seemed prescient given the sequence of events that began in early March. Cancellation followed cancellation: North West Navy, Commencement, Spring Awards Dinner, in-person Commissioning ceremony and most of Summer Training. Little did we know that as we departed for Spring Break, that would be the last time we would have in person contact with most of the Battalion. Even with the transition to distance and on-line learning, we made the best use of the available options. We held the Spring Awards and Commissioning ceremonies virtually. With the unique situation, both universities allowed us to change the Commissioning ceremony into an actual Graduation and Commissioning ceremony where the respective Presidents and Provosts conferred baccalaureate degrees prior to the oath of office. Our first (and hopefully last) virtual commissioning honored the new Naval officers for their hard work and success staying true to Naval traditions. Our students absolutely demonstrated the adaptability and resilience they will need at Naval Officers upon commissioning. A few notes: Awards: Our students earned more than $9,000 in awards this year. A Notable awardee includes MIDN 1/C Sean Conner for earning the CNO Distinguished Midshipman Award. Well done! My relief, CAPT Price Lockard, is a 1996 University of Idaho graduate coming back after finishing his Commodore tour in Bahrain. Please welcome him back as warmly as you have welcomed me into the Vandal and Coug NROTC family. 75th Anniversary: Our fingers are crossed for the 75th, but we do not know what the football season will look like at this time. We will be putting out more information as the athletic schedule and attendance requirements take shape. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Unit! -CAPT Shaun C. McAndrew, Commanding Officer
Captain Shaun C. McAndrew, Commanding Officer
CAPT Shaun C. McAndrew, a native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was commissioned in 1993 from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Electrical Engineering. Completing her flight training at HT-8, she earned her designation as a Naval aviator in January 1996. After flight school, she transferred to HSL-41 for fleet replacement pilot training. CAPT McAndrew was then assigned to HSL-43, San Diego, CA for her first fleet tour. Deploying twice, she completed her tour as the Assistant Operations Officer and NVG Program Manager. She transferred to Naval Support Activity (NSA), Bahrain flying UC-12M transport aircraft in May 2000. Continuing her contributions to the Global War on Terror, she remained in Bahrain, transferring to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command/Commander, FIFTH Fleet staff in December 2002. As a Helicopter Warfare Officer, she was responsible for the intra- and inter-service coordination of rotary wing aircraft and Personnel Recovery missions for all Navy personnel operating in the FIFTH Fleet AOR. During Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, CAPT McAndrew was the Combined Forces and Maritime Component Commander’s Rescue Coordination Center Director. For her department head tour at HSL-37, she served first as Administrative Officer, then Detachment THREE Officer-in-Charge embarked in USS Port Royal (CG 73), and ultimately as Operations Officer. During PORT ROYAL’s FIFTH Fleet deployment, her detachment provided 59 continuous days on-station executing oil platform security operations and monitoring the southern Iraqi oil infrastructure. CAPT McAndrew was then individually augmented for a year to Multi-National Forces Iraq (MNF-I) as part of the Resource Management staff. CAPT McAndrew became the liaison between the MNF-I Resource Management office and MultiNational Security Transition Command Iraq (MNSTC-I) Comptroller’s office. She assisted the MNSTC-I comptroller’s office in the coordination of the Iraq Security Force Fund, a direct multiple fiscal year Congressional Appropriation, totaling $15 billion of programming authority. The appropriated funds developed the nascent Defense and Interior Ministries and their Security Forces to stabilize Iraq. She was selected for operational command during her tour in Iraq. Reporting to HSM-41 in October 2008, she transitioned to the MH-60R Seahawk, later assuming duties as Executive Officer. CAPT McAndrew commanded HSM-41, the west coast fleet replacement squadron, from September 2010 to December 2011. During her command tour, she assisted three squadrons in completing their transition from the SH-60B to MH-60R, had more than 30 aircraft assigned, and trained over 250 pilots and aircrew. After command, she was assigned to the OPNAV Plans and Policy staff representing the Navy’s interests in Global Defense Posture. CAPT McAndrew graduated from the National War College with a Master’s Degree in National Strategic Studies. She then served as the First Battalion Officer at the United States Naval Academy where she was responsible for the professional development of 750 Midshipmen and taught Ethics and Moral Reasoning for Naval Officers. CAPT McAndrew reported to the University of Idaho NROTC Unit as Commanding Officer in July 2017. CAPT McAndrew’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Strike/Flight Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), Air Force Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal and various unit commendations and service/ campaign awards.
Commander Anthony Rabaiotti
Commander Anthony Rabaiotti, a native of East Providence, Rhode Island, attended Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (Pre-Medicine). In 1998, he completed his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Des Moines University and also completed a second Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. After completing residency at the Togus VAMC in Augusta, Maine, he worked in the civilian sector as a Podiatrist in New York City, New York.
Commander Rabaiotti was commissioned in 2001 after completing Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida and his initial duty station as a Commissioned Officer was as the Main Propulsion Officer (MPO1) aboard the USS Detroit (AOE-4) stationed in Earle, New Jersey. He commissioned as a line side Surface Warfare Officer due to absence of Podiatry billets at the time. He qualified as Surface Warfare Officer and Engineering Officer of the Watch (steam) aboard the USS Detroit and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His second tour was as the Damage Control Assistant (DCA) aboard the USS Hopper (DDG-70) stationed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He deployed for second time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Completing lateral transfer in 2005, he was stationed at Naval Branch Health Clinic Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA from 2005 to 2009 as Division Officer of Podiatry. His second tour was as Orthopedics Department Head, Naval Health Clinic Annapolis, MD from 2009 to 2012. Commander Rabaiotti then completed an overseas tour as the Orthopedics Department Head and Staff Podiatrist at United States Naval Hospital Sigonella, Italy from 2013 to 2016.
After returning from Europe, Commander Rabaiotti was assigned as a student to the College of Naval Warfare at the Naval War College, Newport, RI, where he earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and an AQD in Middle East studies. He has completed a tour as staff Podiatrist at Naval Branch Health Clinic Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA from 2017 to 2019. Currently, he is stationed in Moscow, Idaho as the Executive Officer for the NROTC programs of the University Idaho and Washington State University.
Commander Rabaiotti’s military decorations include: The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Naval and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards) and various unit awards. He is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association and is board certified by the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry. He is currently licensed to practice Podiatry in New York State. He is married to the former Miss Sasha Daugherty of Merna, NE. They have two children; Alexander and Gabriella.
LT Robert Zielinski is a native of Virginia Beach, VA. He attended Old Dominion University, where he earned his B.S. in Ocean and Earth Sciences with a concentration in Geology. While attending Old Dominion University, he was enrolled in the Hampton Roads NROTC program as a College Programmer, earned a two year national scholarship, and received his commission in May of 2014. LT Zielinski’s first Division Officer tour was onboard USS NEW YORK (LPD 21). Upon reporting aboard, he served as the Repair Division Officer. After serving as R-DIVO for 12 months, he served as the Weapons and Ordinance Officer until the completion of his first Division Officer tour. LT Zielinski received the Division Officer Sequencing Plan (Fleet Up) option onboard NEW YORK as Training Officer and Executive Department Head. LT Zielinski completed two overseas deployments, a 12 month Major Maintenance Period, DSCA support, and a full training cycle. LT Zielinski reported to NROTC University of Idaho in June of 2018 where he is serving as Assistant Professor of Naval science and Surface Warfare Officer.
LT Justin Holmes is the Aviation Warfare Officer at the University of Idaho/Washington State University NROTC Program. He earned his commission from Oregon State University through the NROTC program, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology with an emphasis in Fitness and Nutrition. Following his graduation, LT Holmes started flight school in Pensacola, Florida. Upon earning his pilot wings, LT Holmes chose to fly the P-3 Orion. LT Holmes completed two deployments with his squadron, VP-40. His deployment sites included Japan, Bahrain, and Turkey with detachments to Malaysia and the Philippines. During his time in the squadron, LT Holmes worked as the Scheduling Officer, Aviation Electrician Branch Officer, Tactics Training Officer, Tactics Division Officer, and the Aircrew Division Officer. In addition to his ground duties, LT Holmes qualified as an Aircraft Commander and Mission Commander, amassing over 1,000 flight hours throughout his training. LT Holmes reported to the NROTC University of Idaho/Washington State University unit in February of 2019. He is currently working towards a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology in addition to his duties at the unit.
