Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Franklin Parker visited Yale College's Naval ROTC May 26 to speak with university and unit staff and to congratulate the newly-commissioned ensigns.

After speaking with the unit's executive officer, Parker met with seven ensigns who were recently commissioned. As a Yale graduate himself, Parker conveyed how proud he was of each of them on their decision to serve their country in this manner, as well how happy he was to see NROTC back on Yale campus.

"I am so impressed with everyone I met today," Parker said. "The talent, drive, and commitment to service demonstrated by this group is a credit both to [the] Navy and to Yale. We are in good hands with a new generation of leaders such as these leading the way."

Parker also got a chance to tour the campus and meet with the Dean of Yale College, Jonathan Holloway, the Secretary and Vice President for Student Life, Kim Goff-Crews, and College President, Peter Salovey.

One of the original six NROTC units, Yale's NROTC unit was established in 1926 but was disbanded in 1972. Recognizing the need for diversity of thought in the officer corps, the Navy led the way to bring an ROTC unit back to Yale when they reestablished it in 2012. Yale NROTC welcomed its first class of incoming midshipmen in over 40 years in 2012. The midshipmen were warmly welcomed back by Yale leadership, faculty, staff, and students.

Yale's NROTC has a long history and tradition of service to our country. Throughout World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, Yale alumni and faculty served their country in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. Of the almost 30,000 Yale alumni who served in those conflicts, 796 lost their lives in combat.

The NROTC mission is to develop young men and women morally, mentally, and physically, and to instill in them the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty. Since its inception, more than 70,000 young men and women have received commissions in the Navy and Marine Corps through the NROTC Program. Many of them have had distinguished military careers; others have served honorably and left the service to become highly successful in other occupations.

Currently, the NROTC Program is available at over 150 colleges and universities that host NROTC units or have cross-enrollment agreements with a host university. Selected applicants for the program are awarded scholarships through a highly competitive national selection process.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy/.

For more information on the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, visit http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/.