I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Jacksonville University Naval Reserve Officer Training 队 (NROTC) Unit. Your time here will prove to be challenging, but you will look back at your time at the NROTC单位 as a rewarding 一个. We are here to prepare young men and women mentally, morally and physically to serve as commissi一个d officers in the United States 海军 and United States Marine 队.
On 23 September 1971, the first NROTC单位 in the State of Florida was formally dedicated during ceremonies at Jacksonville University. The Secretary of the 海军 had approved its establishment 05 April 1971. The first class, consisting of 43 见习船员, began their training on 01 September. The guest of honor at the dedication ceremony was the Honorable James E. Johnson, Assistant Secretary of the 海军 for Manpower and Reserve 事务. Speaking to the assembled 见习船员 and guests, Secretary Johnson called attention to the city of Jacksonville as a natural place for Florida's first NROTC Unit because of the community's long tradition of support for the U.S. 海军. 他还 reminded the 43 new 见习船员 to take a positive approach to their future and to be proud of their roles in the 海军 and Marine 队. "You must recognize that this is your country," he said. "Be proud to be an American and be proud to be a flag waver." Forty-two years later, Jacksonville University and the NROTC单位 continue to work together to instill and support the same strong bond of pride and community in all 见习船员.
Jacksonville University is 一个 of four Florida universities among sixty-three colleges and universities in the United States which sponsor NROTC training. NROTC部队 has commissi一个d over 1,680 海军 Ensigns and Marine 队 Second Lieutenants for service in the wide variety of warfare specialties including 水面作战, Submarine Warfare, Naval 航空, Nuclear Power and across the spectrum of Marine 队 Military Occupational Specialties (MOS's).
The Jacksonville University NROTC单位 is located in a hub of naval facilities including Naval Station Mayport, Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Kings Bay, 乔治亚州. Likewise, the Jacksonville University NROTC单位 capitalizes on various community 教育al institutions including Jacksonville University (JU), University of North Florida (UNF) and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), producing a wide variety of academic curricula. These 教育al and naval resources position the Jacksonville University NROTC单位 as a premier location for both learning and indoctrination into 海上服务. For current active-duty service members, Jacksonville's military infrastructure provides ample support and services in addition to quality civilian 教育.
You are embarking on an ambitious and critical mission here at the Jacksonville University NROTC单位. Whether you are here to provide support or to earn a commission, your years here will be the most demanding yet satisfying of your career. 祝贺你 on your decision to join the Jacksonville University NROTC; serving our nation is a honor and a rewarding challenge.
Commanding Officer
Professor of Naval Science