Fair Winds and Following Seas

By Midshipman 3rd Class Mark Altman, ERAU NROTCU

Change is a fact of life for personnel in the United States Military, but that doesn’t mean that

when well loved and respected members of a command leave there aren’t mixed feelings of sadness

and excitement. Captain John Hall, III, USMC, and Gunnery Sergeant James Gillespie, USMC, recently

turned-over with Captain Dean Krom, USMC, and Gunnery Sergeant Joseph Adcox, USMC. Capt. Hall

and GySgt Gillespie served the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit, Embry-Riddle, for three years,

during which time they made themselves an integral part of the unit, inspiring the respect and

admiration of every Midshipman here at Embry-Riddle. However, Capt. Krom and GySgt Adcox have

already begun the task of adapting to the job of MOI and AMOI, and have proved that they are more

than ready, and excited, for the task.

After a successful career in the Marine Corps as a KC-130 Pilot and 3 years of service in the

Embry-Riddle Naval ROTC Unit as the Marine Officer Instructor, Capt Hall is leaving Embry-Riddle, using

his Economics degree from the Naval Academy and MBA from The University of Florida in the Private

Sector; but he says that the Marine Corps has given him the most opportunity to succeed and allowed

him to put his mark on the future officers of the Navy and Marine Corps, something he enjoyed. He

served as the Fiscal Officer and the Operations Officer for the Unit. During his time here he was able to

increase the OCS (Officer Candidate School) graduation rate to 96% and he enjoyed leading the Marine

Options in their numerous Field Exercises. His day to day interactions with Midshipman helped to train

a better class of Officer, and made him well loved and respected in the unit.

GySgt Gillespie also bids good-bye to the Embry-Riddle Naval ROTC unit to be the Radio Chief for

the 8th Communications Battalion in Jacksonville, NC. While here at ERAU GySgt Gillespie served as the

Assistant Command Physical Training Leader, and controlled the Navy Computer Assets for the Unit. In
his opinion his greatest accomplishment was commissioning over 40 Ensigns and 2nd Lieutenants into

the Navy and Marine Corps. He most enjoyed the camaraderie in the Unit, and enjoyed the mentorship

and the counseling opportunities he was able to provide to these future officers. His hard work as the

senior enlisted advisor to the unit allowed for increased moral, and success of the Midshipmen in the

command, both Marine and Navy option.

The new Marine Officer Instructor for the battalion is a former CH-46 Pilot, whose last duty

station was in Japan. Capt Krom has arrived at ERAU looking forward to the chance he will have to place

his fingerprint on the future officers going into our nation’s fleet forces. He chose ERAU because it is the

“biggest and best aeronautical school around,” and he will have the, “chance to make the largest

difference.” He understands that the Navy and Marine Corps are not for everyone, but points out that

you will never know if you don’t try it. Capt Krom encourages anyone interested in trying out the

NROTC program to come speak to him or any of the other officers for information.

GySgt Adcox originally chose to be stationed at Embry-Riddle as a break from his arduous

deployment schedule. The irony in his choice of Embry-Riddle is that GySgt Adcox holds a ground based

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty); however, GySgt Adcox believes that this will do well to give the

Midshipman a balanced view of the mission of the Marine Corps. His background as a Drill Master at

Parris Island and his experience teaching at OCS gives him the experience required to train the Marine

Corps’ future leaders. He expects an adjustment period, but is happy to see that the first Battalion Staff

he will be dealing with is very professional and hard-working. The most important lesson that he wishes

to teach the Midshipmen here on campus is that, “In order to be a good leader, one must also be a good

follower.”

GySgt Gillespie and Capt Hall have left their mark here at this ROTC unit.

They have also left a lasting impression in the hearts and the minds of
the over 350 sailors and marines that they have trained during their

tenure here at Embry-Riddle. I can say with complete confidence that

the Navy and Marine Corps team is better today than it was three years

ago, thanks in part to the selflessness and unwavering dedication

displayed by these two Marines. While these two men have left some

big shoes to fill, I have every confidence that incoming Marine staff will

continue to build upon the mark of excellence already established by

GySgt Gillespie and Capt Hall. –Midshipman Captain Brandon A.

Porthouse, USNR, BNCDR