Spring Battalion Commanding Officer’s Call

The spring 2022 semester was unsurprisingly characterized by a full operations calendar and motivated individuals willing to plan and execute essential battalion functions. Overall, there was a great emphasis placed on small unit leadership and personal initiative. I had the privilege seeing just how dedicated and creative our battalion members really are. Most, if not all, newly implemented ideas came from people other than those in staff positions. For three-fourths of the battalion, this was the first “normal” spring semester due to the hindrance created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, these future leaders did not shy away from the challenge and proudly embraced the struggles and sacrifices needed to carry out the mission of our unit. We saw the emergence of a Squad of the Semester program, implemented by Battalion SgtMaj, MIDN Joshua Figueredo, who awarded SSgt Tompkins and his squad for excelling in the areas of academics, physical fitness, and military bearing. A desire to further educate and develop our unit’s Navy option midshipmen on relevant topics was fulfilled with the creation of Semper Fo, thanks to MIDN Clavenna’s efforts. MIDN Jones, L. demonstrated tremendous initiative in developing his semester plan for Professional Development by dedicating several Friday mornings to an intensive and stepwise war gaming activity. Battalion members were educated on the Marine Corps Planning Process and then placed in small teams, where they collaborated on an operations order based off of a fictional war game scenario.

These events, in addition to a talk from General Mattis, the 12 Mile Hike and FEX, the Culminating Event, interservice flag football, Senior Mess Night, and Spring Awards were all very successful and beneficial to our unit’s cohesion and comradery. It was Northwest Navy during a rainy April weekend in Seattle, however, that was truly our biggest event of the year, at least by measurements of planning. This friendly but strong competition between all four NROTC units of the Pacific Northwest would not have been possible without the efforts of the NWN coordinator, MIDN Dzuris, and all the various team captains. Thank you to the battalion and to the unit staff for your dedication, and I look forward to seeing all of you in the fleet. Semper Fidelis.

MIDN Andrew Sayre