Commanding Officer's Update:

Dear Vanderbilt University Naval ROTC Alumni,

Another remarkable academic year has come to a close for the Commodore Battalion. As always, I continue to be impressed by the talent, character, and commitment demonstrated by our Midshipmen and officer candidates, as well as the dedication of our staff and the unwavering support provided by the Vanderbilt University NROTC Alumni Association. Together, those partnerships continue to make us one of the nation's strongest and highest performing NROTC programs.

We continue to benefit from tremendous support across Vanderbilt University, including a strong partnership with Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, Undergraduate Admissions, the growing Institute of National Security, Live. Learn. Lead. Academy, and many other campus organizations. These relationships have created new opportunities for our Midshipmen to engage with senior military leaders, national security practitioners, and university leadership while further strengthening the visibility and impact of NROTC across campus. This academic year also marked a significant transition for the Unit.

Prior to the Fall Semester, Mr. Danny McCrary, our civilian Supply Technician and retired Navy Senior Chief Storekeeper (Submarines), retired after nineteen years of dedicated civilian service in addition to his three years of active-duty service to Vanderbilt NROTC. Danny's professionalism, experience, and commitment to generations of Midshipmen and staff members leave an enduring legacy that will continue to benefit the Battalion for years to come. Following his retirement, XO kept us fair in the channel by assuming responsibility for many of his duties while simultaneously leading the Unit through the uncertainty of a federal government shutdown. Through proactive communication with Vanderbilt, Belmont, and Tennessee State University administrators, he successfully minimized disruptions and ensured our Midshipmen remained informed and supported throughout the period.

The Class of 2026 earned service assignments across every major Navy warfare community, including six future submarine officers, one Surface Warfare Officer (Nuclear), four conventional Surface Warfare Officers, two Student Naval Aviators, two Navy Nurse Corps officers, one Intelligence Officer, and one Cyber Warfare Engineer. Particularly noteworthy, our seven nuclear-accession selectees exceeded the Navy's assigned goal of four and continued the Battalion's multi-year record of 100% success in one of the Navy's most competitive selection processes.

The Fall Semester began with another outstanding incoming class and a full schedule of leadership development, professional engagement, and Battalion activities. MIDN 1/C Jackson Smith led the Battalion through our regular leadership activities, the annual 9/11 stair climb at FirstBank Stadium and local community service initiatives, while strengthening bonds with alumni and families through Family Weekend, Reunion Weekend, and the annual Navy-Marine Corps Birthday Ball, where we were honored to host Rear Admiral Darryl Walker, President of the U.S. Naval War College, as our Guest of Honor and keynote speaker. We were also privileged to welcome Dr. Tiffiny Tung, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, whose participation further reflected Vanderbilt University's strong support for the Battalion and its Midshipmen. November also marked a significant milestone for the National Security Symposium.

For the first time, the Vanderbilt University NROTC Alumni Association partnered with Vanderbilt's Institute of National Security to co-host the event, bringing together Midshipmen, Cadets, students, faculty, alumni, and university leadership from across the Nashville area for an engaging discussion on contemporary national security challenges.

The symposium opened with remarks by Chancellor Diermeier and General Paul Nakasone, USA (Ret.), Founding Director of the Institute of National Security, followed by a keynote from Admiral James Caldwell, USN (Ret.), former Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion. The event exemplified Vanderbilt's growing commitment to convening thought leaders and exposing students to critical national security issues while providing our future officers invaluable opportunities for professional development.

The Spring Semester began under unusual circumstances when a severe winter ice storm forced the cancellation of classes across Nashville. Despite the disrupted start, MIDN 1/C Emma Hennessey assumed leadership of the Battalion and guided it through an exceptionally busy semester that included leadership conferences hosted by the University of Notre Dame and Yale University, Vanderbilt's Live. Learn. Lead. Symposium, numerous community service events, and a successful Marine Corps Mess Night.

During the Battalion's annual Spring Parade and Change of Command Ceremony, MIDN Hennessey formally transferred leadership to MIDN 2/C Brooks Roach, who will lead the Battalion during the coming academic year. Our Marine Options and one of our Nurse Options finished out the academic year with an instructive and challenging Field Exercise at Parris Island, SC with several other NROTC units from across the Southeast – Oorah!

This year also marked an important milestone for the Alumni Association's Opportunity Scholarship initiative. During the Spring Semester, four deserving Midshipmen received the first scholarship awards, totaling more than $9,000 in assistance. These awards directly support students with demonstrated financial need and represent another meaningful example of how alumni generosity continues to improve the Midshipman experience across all three partner universities. Our recruiting efforts remain strong despite increasingly competitive admissions environments.

Both Vanderbilt University and the national NROTC scholarship selection process were exceptionally selective this year, yet the Commodore Battalion continues to attract outstanding young men and women committed to naval service. We currently expect twenty incoming Navy-option students this fall, including fourteen attending Vanderbilt, five attending Belmont, and one attending Tennessee State University. The continued growth of our Navy Nurse Corps program has been especially encouraging and reflects a strengthening partnership with Belmont University that is creating new opportunities for future Navy medical professionals.

The year concluded with an outstanding commissioning class and another demonstration of the Battalion's ability to develop highly capable future officers. We were honored to welcome Vice Admiral William French, USN (Ret.), Vanderbilt Class of 1979, as our Guest of Honor for the Joint Army-Navy Commissioning Ceremony.

Following remarks from Chancellor Diermeier and Vice Admiral French, a total of thirty- five new officers received commissions, including sixteen Army Second Lieutenants, two Marine Corps Second Lieutenants, and seventeen Navy Ensigns. Their accomplishments stand as a testament to their dedication, the mentorship they received throughout their time in the Battalion, and the extraordinary support provided by the Vanderbilt community and our alumni.

The generosity of the Vanderbilt University NROTC Alumni Association continues to have a direct and lasting impact on the development of our Midshipmen. Whether through leadership conferences, professional development opportunities, scholarships, ceremonial events, or support for students attending our partner universities, your contributions help us prepare the next generation of Naval and Marine Corps officers for service to our nation. On behalf of the entire Commodore Battalion, thank you for your continued commitment, support, and engagement.

As this will be my final year serving as Professor of Naval Science and Commanding Officer, I would also like to thank the alumni community for the support and encouragement you have provided throughout my tour. On 11 June, I will turn over leadership of the Battalion to CAPT Josh “Noodle” Appezzato, a distinguished career F/A-18F Naval Flight Officer, and most recently the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Oceana.

I am confident that the Commodore Battalion will continue to thrive under his leadership and build upon the strong relationships that exist among the Unit, our partner universities, and our alumni.



Very respectfully, CAPT Aron “Lumpy” Buckles
Professor of Naval Science/Commanding Officer
Vanderbilt University NROTC