Greetings everyone. This fall has marked the addition of the new Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI), Gunnery Sergeant Curtis Osburn, USMC, to the Battalion staff, and the influx of 24 new students. This year’s incoming class is the largest in several years, and we on the staff could not be happier. The 2007 Fall Semester has welcomed a lot of first-time events. First, GySgt Osburn has spearheaded the development and training of the newly formed University of Memphis NROTC Drill Team. This team, devised mainly out of freshmen, has worked relentlessly to acquire the precision skills needed to conduct drill at a competitive level. They have been working hard, often sacrificing their free time, and we could not be more pleased with their performance to date. In the spring, the drill team will test its mettle at two excellent venues: the Auburn Drill Meet and the Tulane Drill Meet. At the Tulane Drill Meet, the drill team will compete against some of the most competitive NROTC units in the country. This annual event is the “Cadillac” of close order drill competitions, normally hosting over 30 universities from across the country. Best of luck, and keep attacking! Second, LT White and LT Bayer have created an exclusive Navy Laboratory to capitalize on Navy-specific training and development. During each Navy Lab, “the Bull”, or in this setting, the “Midshipman Morale Officer”, convenes the meeting and carries out the plan of the day. These lab sessions have welcomed leadership development classes, guest speaker lectures, briefs on day-to-day life as junior officers in the Navy, aviation seminars, surface and submarine briefs, classes on physical readiness, etc. In all, this new lab setting has allowed the Navy Option students to explore and digest the responsibilities and expectations of an Ensign in the Navy. As we move into the spring semester, the staff looks forward to Navy Lab’s continued evolution. Third, this fall also marked the 1st Annual University of Memphis Army / Navy Week where the Naval ROTC and Army ROTC competed during several events leading up to the NCAA Army / Navy Football Game. The competitive events included: a dodgeball competition, a pull-up competition, a campus loop run competition, a tug-o-war competition, and the culminating event was an Army / Navy flag football game. Unfortunately for the Army ROTC, the Naval ROTC won every event for the week save the dodgeball competition. Matters only got worse on the following day when Navy beat Army 38-3. Better luck next year brothers and sisters of the Army ROTC. 
Finally, on November 10th, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution that two battalions of Marines be raised. Since that date, Marines across the globe have come together in celebration of its Corps’ existence. This fall, on 10 November 07, Marines and Marine Option students from the University of Memphis NROTC came together for the 1st Annual Semper Fidelis Society Marine Corps Birthday Dinner. This auspicious occasion took place at a restaurant in downtown Memphis where all members of Semper Fidelis Society met in celebration of the 232nd year of the Marine Corps’ magnificent history. Old Marines and new midshipmen alike shared in the camaraderie and esprit of Corps of this tremendous new event, and we look forward to breaking bread every year. 
Since Marines always make the most of each hour in a day, on 10 November 2007, Semper Fidelis Society also showed their support for a very special friend and mother, Kay Creager, by running the 2nd Annual Lance Corporal Timothy Creager 5K. Tim Creager was an infantry Marine assigned to 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion during his tour in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. On 1 July 2004, LCpl Creager was mortally wounded from hostile enemy action. His wonderful mother, Kay, has developed this 5K Road Race in her Son’s honor as a charitible event to provide money for kids who do not possess the means to pay for college. Early on 10 November, Semper Fidelis Society, led by Captain Godwin and GySgt Osburn, embarked on the 5K race with the Marine students in formation. Each member of Semper Fidelis Society ran in boots and utilities while singing cadence for all three miles. It was a great Marine Corps day and a very moving experience. We love you Kay! We’ll see you at the race next fall. 
This fall, we underwent the task of planning, coordinating, and executing our annual Joint Services Birthday Ball. Every year between October and November, we get together in a formal setting to celebrate the birth of our naval service. This year marked the 232nd year of the Navy and Marine Corps’ existence. As in most events that occur throughout the year, the Birthday Ball is rooted in noteable customs and storied traditions. One such tradition for this annual celebration is to have a distinguished Guest of Honor impart words of wisdom and leadership on the Sailors, Marines, family, and friends in attendance. This year’s Guest Speaker at the Mid-south Consortium’s 232nd Birthday Celebration was the current 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sergeant Major Carlton W. Kent. For those family and friends who do not quite understand the significance of his billet, Sergeant Major Kent is THE most senior enlisted Marine in the Marine Corps. His office requires that he advise the Commandant of the Marine Corps on all matters pertaining to the welfare of Marines worldwide. Accompanying Sergeant Major Kent to this august occasion was Sergeant Jeremiah Workman. An excellent young non-commissioned officer (NCO), Sergeant Workman was awarded the Navy Cross – the nation’s second highest award for valor in combat – for service in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. It was truly an honor and privilege to have these incredible Marines in attendance. The University of Memphis NROTC staff would also like to thank other noteworthy guests for making this year’s celebration one to be remembered: Kay Creager; Major Trent A. Gibson, USMC; Sergeant Joe “Bull Dog” Sorensen, USMC, 1963-69; Gunnery Sergeant Charles F. Smith, USMC (Ret); Master Gunnery Sergeant Alfred L. Parker, USMC (Ret); Lance Corporal Andrew J. Morgret, USMC, 1961-1963  
 
The staff would like to extend our sincere congratulations to the Fall 2007 University of Memphis NROTC Comissioning class. We had five new warfighters receive their commissions in the Navy and Marine Corps: Ensign Kristal Brown, Ensign Zachary Hill, Ensign David King, Ensign Eric Ludwig, and Second Lieutenant John Irwin. Fair winds and following seas…Semper Fidelis! |
