There are two ways of exer ng one’s strength:
one is pushing down, the other is pulling up .
“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Be‐
cause the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.” ‐Randy
Welcome to our Brick Wall
CONTENTS
01. Cover Page 02. Table of Contents 03. A Look Upstairs 04. NROTC Unit History/MLK Parade 2014 05. Trial by Bulldog 06. Breaking The Limit 07. PT 08. Campus Hikes 09. Big Nasty Mud Run 11. A Night At the Mess 13. Spring Review 15. Newly Commissioned Officer 17. Farewell 2
Pausch A Look Upstairs
MIDN 1/C Boyce R, USMCR Midshipman Commanding Officer Going from being an MIR (Midshipmen In Ranks) my freshman year to being the Midshipman Company Commander for the Spring 2014 Semester has been a truly inspira onal experience. I was amazed by my staff’s eagerness and passion in fulfilling their du es. Staff mee ngs would tend to run late due to discussions on new policies and ideas that could be implemented to be er the company’s command climate. As a whole, I think the best part of being MCO was watching midshipmen grow from the beginning of the semester and watching them lock on and truly start to excel in the unit. Even though I was not as ac ve with the company as I would have liked due to bulldog training, I greatly valued my me as MCO and I will take the lessons and leadership skills that I have learned with me in the future. ‐Boyce R. 1/C 3
The Naval ROTC Unit at Savannah State University (then Savannah State College) was established on 22 September 1971 with an enrollment of forty‐one Midshipmen. The first four officers, three Navy Ensigns and one Marine Corps Second Lieutenant, were commissioned in June 1974. That Second Lieutenant is now a Lieutenant General. In December 1977, the first "cross‐town" Midshipman from Armstrong Atlan c State University (then Armstrong State College) was commissioned. SSU NROTC graduates include 1 Marine Corps Lieutenant General (O‐9), several Navy Captains (O‐6) and Commanders (O‐5), as well as the first Black officer to fly with and then command the Navy Blue Angels. The unit’s first black female captain re red and currently holds a flag officer equivalent rank in the Senior Execu ve Service with the NSA. These officers have held posi ons in command that include: major Marine Corps commands, a Destroyer Squadron, Avia on Squadrons, ships at the O‐4 and O‐5 level in the CRUDES, AMPHIB and MCM communi es, Marine Corps units, O‐6 Major Command Ashore and other Shore installa ons. On 20 January 2014 , the was not targeted to help weather was perfect for a parade; the skies were clear and the temperature was moderate. Our Unit was honored to be one of the lead par cipants in a parade held for a man of such great caliber. The Midshipman Company, led by Andrew Hensley (the Company Drill team Commander) professionally marched along the parade route causing applause from the parade observers. Dr. King’s movement shook the world and only African‐Americans, but to help a na on as a whole. Diversity is well seen in our unit. Some midshipmen come from the local Savannah area while others call Japan or Europe home. Seeing such a diverse unit work together with such great cohesion, is a great example of what the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps represent and is something that would make Dr. Mar n Luther King, Jr. proud. effected every race, creed, and color. His movement 4
Trial By Bulldog
Og Mandino once wrote:
“Failure will never overtake me if my
determination to succeed is strong enough” And the Marine op on midshipmen who went through bulldog will a est to this quote. Through the course of 8 weeks, Marine op ons frequented Parris Island where they persevered various obstacle courses and overcame any challenge placed before them. 5
Breaking The Limit
As midshipmen, we are up star ng our day while most are s ll asleep. Our day begins at 0430 with ge ng up and ready to report to the unit for PT (Physical Training). Walking into the unit at 0500, I always thought it was funny to see my fellow midshipmen struggling to wake up. I have no ced that there are a few different types of early morning midshipmen; from the overly awake and cheery spirits, to the ones who are s ll figh ng to achieve full consciousness. But when muster is called we all fall in and ready ourselves for the morning’s challenges. The first couple of months I was surprised by how hard PT was, but looking back I have realized that it was those mes that drew me closer to my fellow midshipmen and o en mes inspired me to push myself harder in the present. ‐Frederic Keyhea 6
Here is a look back at the times we have
struggled together and surprised ourselves at
what we can achieve.
7 The Campus Hike
8
Big Nasty Mud Run
On April 5, 2014, a group of midshipmen
volunteered at the bi‐annual Big Nasty Mud Run.
This event consists of a total of 30 obstacles along a
5‐mile course. Par cipants were a mix of skill levels
and runners either ran individually or as groups of
2 or more. This was my first me par cipa ng in
the run and it was a very fun experience. It was
exci ng to watch people of all ages, genders, and
sizes maneuver through the course. I was sta oned
at the finish line which consisted of a huge pit of
thick, muddy water that had to be trudged through
in order to complete the race. Watching the
runners’ look of both fa gue and exuberance that
they had finally made it to the end was amazing to
see.
9
The worst part of the race was standing in the sun
during the stretches when no runners were
coming through because it got boring. However,
one of my favorite parts of the event was cheering
people through the finish line once they finally got
to that point. A er making it through so many
obstacles and the mud pit at the end, the runners
were red. Some wanted to simply walk to the
finish line, but when they heard me screaming and
mo va ng they ran through. I definitely think
other people should volunteer because it helps
supports Chris an Athletes which is a worthy
cause.
‐MIDN 2/C Charise Fogle
10
A Night At The Mess
This ceremony dates all the way back to
Viking Clans and occurred on the
occasion of their return from successful
raids and forays against distant shores.
These celebra ons saw all male clan
members present with the excep on of the watch. The leader took
his place at the head of the board with all others to his right or le
in descending order of rank. Those of the clan who did not
par cipate in the raid were seated below the salt, and did not
par cipate in the disposi on of the spoils. Warriors who had
conducted themselves with valor or dis nc on were "guests" for
the evening. They were seated closer to the leader than their rank
normally en tled them. These "guests" customarily received a
bonus from the share of the leader for their deeds.
The celebra ons of the Vikings were great feasts where vast
quan es of food and drink were served. Down through the
millennia since the heyday of the Norsemen, the prac ce of
recognizing and perpetua ng the anniversaries of significant ba les
and feats of outstanding heroes by formal ceremony became
generally adopted as a natural outgrowth of the special
camaraderie of the military.
11 Mess night is always a night full of laughter and jokes,
from the cream cheese and jalapeño flavored grog to the
various skits on the past semester. This night gives both
ac ve duty and the midshipmen present a chance to interact
and relax in a less formal environment. On March 14, 2014
the company MXO (Marissa George) began the ceremony as
the vice president of the mess. The night con nued with
various jokes, dancing, and many cups of grog being drank
mainly by Midshipman Wayne. By the end of the ceremony
we all le knowing that the semester was also quickly
coming to an end.
12
On 24 April 2014 the SSU NROTC unit held its annual Spring Review. Spring review is the culmina ng event of the academic year where the Midshipmen have the opportunity to showcase how well they have developed militarily, and to be recognized for their military leadership and academic accomplishment throughout the academic year. From the “march on” to the precision display of manual‐of‐arms to the pass in review, the Midshipman Company flawlessly executed the parade. During the ceremony midshipmen were recognized by the Commanding Officer, and local re red military organiza ons for their achievement throughout the previous academic year. Midshipmen Andrew Hensley the unit’s drill team commander said “we as a midshipmen company have worked long and hard in order to make it through the semester’s hardships, and this ceremony personally has always been an formal confirma on that we have all made it through another year of tribula ons together that has shaped us into the people we are all today.” 13 Colonel William J. Bowers USMC/8040, 1990 graduate of VMI (Virginia Military Ins tute), CO of the 6th Marine Corps District, and recipient of the Bronze star and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, served as Reviewing Officer and Guest Speaker for the ceremony. Col William’s speech served as a reminder to midshipmen to make sure they have their priori es in order before they embark on their careers as officers in the Navy and Marine Corps. He stressed that an officer must take care of his subordinates. Colonel William J. Bowers’ speech also highlighted the importance of the Navy and Marine Corps’ humanitarian missions world wide, and how we as midshipmen will one day play a role in be ering the world around us. 14 2ndLt Arnold, Ma hew
ENS DiConza, Laura
HOMETOWN:
HOMETOWN:


Macon, GA Lucerne, CA DEGREE:
DEGREE:


Bachelor in Liberal Studies Bachelors of Science in DUTY STATION:
Nursing

DUTY STATION:
Repor ng June 10 
to TBS Quan co, VA Repor ng June 26 to Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia ENS George, Marissa
HOMETOWN:

Faye eville, NC DEGREE:

Poli cal Science, Pre‐Law
DUTY STATION:

Repor ng October 20 to USS Cur s Wilbur Yokosuka, Japan ENS Cowling, Diane
ENS Ewing, Arthur
HOMETOWN:
HOMETOWN:


Indianapolis, IN Florence, SC DEGREE:
DEGREE:


Biology
DUTY STATION:

Computer Informa on Systems DUTY STATION:
Repor ng May 27 to USS Oak Hill , Norfolk, VA 
Repor ng June 12 to USS Essex San Diego, California 15 ENS Gomez, Andy
ENS McDermo , Spencer
HOMETOWN:
HOMETOWN:


Clayton, NC
Phoenix, AZ DEGREE:
DEGREE:


History DUTY STATION:

Bachelor of Liberal Studies STATION:
Repor ng June 14 to USS Kearsarge 
Norfolk, VA
Repor ng October 24 to Flight School Pensacola, FL ENS Zirion, Mark
HOMETOWN:

Sasebo, Japan
DEGREE:

Criminal Jus ce DUTY STATION:

Repor ng June 04 to USS San Antonio Norfolk, VA ENS McLaughlin, Jonathan
2ndLt On vero, Christopher
HOMETOWN:
HOMETOWN:


Atlanta, GA
Miami, FL DEGREE:
DEGREE:


Poli cal Science, Criminal Jus ce Pre‐Law DUTY STATION:
DUTY STATION: 

to TBS Quan co, VA Repor ng May 28 to Flight School Pensacola, FL
16 Repor ng September 3 Farewell
I would like to wish a heart felt farewell to Ms. Taylor (who has led and guided many of us) and the recent commissioned graduates. Mark Twain once wrote: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things
you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off your bowlines. Sail
away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream,
Discover. “
Visit US AT HTTP:// www.savannahstate.edu /cost/nrotc/ For more Information or Call: 912-358-3095