Winter Commissioning December 2015

From the January 2016 SeaBadger - Scott Thornbloom, NSTC PAO

Rear Adm. Stephen C. Evans, commander, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) commissioned five University of Wisconsin Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) midshipmen as Navy and Marine Corps officers during a ceremony in the Senate chamber of the state capitol building near campus, Dec. 23.

Navy ROTC Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Murdoch also recognized the five students during the ceremony.

The newly commissioned officers will serve around the globe in a variety of military occupational specialties including aviation, surface warfare, submarine warfare, and the Marines.

"The ceremony today, culminating 4 1/2 years of hard work and dedication for these new officers, was very special, said Murdoch.

"Two of the 'commissionees' served as battalion commanders and have spent a good deal of time elevating the performance of the Wisconsin NROTC unit over the past year. I was especially pleased by the large number of parents, relatives and friends who showed up to support our new officers. And we were also pleased to see several members of the Officer Education Committee and the Alumni Association in attendance. These officers will increasingly appreciate that support as they begin their careers, and confront the growing challenges the Navy and Marine Corps face in the Fleet."

Commissioned as ensigns were; Kyle Burke, 23, from Inver Grove, Minnesota; Colin Gallaher, 22, from Edina, Minnesota; Brendan Page, 22, from Rockbridge, Ohio; Thomas Goodwin, 22, from Coronado, California; and Sarkis Zenobian, 22, from Excelsior, Minnesota, was commissioned as a U.S. Marine Corps second lieutenant.

"It is a pleasure to be here and to take part in this very special occasion," said Evans. "This is a very exciting day because we welcome five young midshipmen into one of the most prestigious, challenging and rewarding roles in our nation - that of a Navy and Marine Corps officer."

Evans, who was an NROTC midshipman and commissioned at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in Charleston, South Carolina, thanked and congratulated the NROTC instructors and staff at Wisconsin for ensuring all midshipmen receive the best training to become naval officers. He also acknowledged and welcomed to the Navy each midshipman's family member in attendance in the Senate chamber.

"Families are definitely the strength of our Sailors and Marines and the support behind our naval service," Evans said. "It's a huge commitment for a person to pursue their degree and participate in NROTC."

All of the newly commissioned officers said a few words after they received their ensign or 2nd lieutenant rank insignia. Each insignia was affixed to their shoulders by family members and each new officer thanked those family members and thanked their fellow midshipmen and their school.

"I thought being commissioned here in the state capitol was very special," said Burke, who was also Badger Battalion's commander. "We worked hard for four years and this (commissioning) brought it all together to mark our final event here at the university. It was also exciting to be able to share it with family and friends."

Zenobian called the ceremony almost a huge weight off his shoulders. "Getting to this day meant a lot to all of us and now we get to go out and join our brothers and sisters in the fleet," Zenobian said.

After the ceremony family and friends congratulated the newly commissioned officers. Many of the parents present described the moment watching their children commission as one of the proudest in their lives.

"I am so incredibly proud of my son," said Helen Zenobian. "He has worked so hard for the last 4 1/2 years. His dream (to be a Marine Corps officer) actually started when he was in 9th grade, so he has been following and working on his dream for a long time and I'm honored to be with him and see it all come together."

Murdoch closed out the ceremony saying each newly commissioned officer will now begin their professional journey and that journey will require each to maintain a strong foundation in the Navy's Core Values. "We were honored that Rear Adm. Evans took time from his very busy schedule to commission these officers here in the Senate chambers," Murdoch said. "His presence reaffirms the support of senior leadership for our newest leaders, and also the importance of the commissioning ceremony."

Evans had a final salute to the newly-commissioned ensigns and Marine Corps second lieutenant.

"Congratulations to the officers commissioned today on your choice to serve our nation, on the contributions to the "Red and White" of the University of Wisconsin you have given, and on the service to our country that you are going to provide."

Naval Officers Commissioned

2nd Lt Sarkis Zenobian

ENS Kyle Burke

ENS Colin Gallaher

ENS Thomas Goodwin

ENS Brendan Page