University of Illinois Naval ROTC midshipmen recently learned an important lesson to "Rely on Your Chief" during a Midshipman Orientation Program (MOP), Aug. 14-19.

During the weeklong MOP, which focuses heavily on drill, naval customs and regulations for future midshipmen, Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Kevin Cragin joined the Fighting Illini NROTC staff. Cragin is a recruit division commander (RDC) at Recruit Training Command (RTC) in Great Lakes. He helped train and show midshipmen, especially the new midshipmen just joining the unit, one piece of advice given to a newly-commissioned officer about to enter the fleet is to rely on the chief.

"When they get to the fleet, they (junior officers) are expected to lead by example," said Cragin. "I hope my training and my advice showed them that there will be others they can turn to, like their division or department chiefs, to help them lead."

According to the unit, despite being some of the most knowledgeable resources available to future junior officers, it is a rarity for junior officers to interact with senior enlisted personnel prior to commissioning. This unique opportunity arose within the unit due to a small gap in the turnover of the assistant Marine option instructor (AMOI) during the MOP.

During MOP, a midshipman training staff relies heavily on the AMOI for advice and expertise throughout the week. In the absence of an AMOI, the staff sought out an RDC from the Navy's only boot camp to fill in the training gap.

"Chief Cragin's contribution to the orientation program instruction in basic military customs, courtesies, traditions, and organization, as well as team work and drill competency proved superlative," said Capt. Chris Moore, University of Illinois professor of Naval Science and NROTC commanding officer. "A consummate professional and exceptional ambassador for the talent embodied in the RDC cadre, Chief Cragin delivered tangible contributions to the professional development of midshipmen candidates and upperclassmen alike. With or without an AMOI, this is definitely an initiative that UI NROTC will do again."

A 14-year Navy veteran, Cragin is responsible for turning civilians into Sailors who are ready to join the fleet. Just as he does at RTC, Cragin was able to impart his knowledge of basic seamanship, close order drill, and physical fitness to the freshmen students who looked to become midshipmen and join the Fighting Illini Battalion.

"Chief Cragin was a valuable member of the MOP staff," said Midshipman 4th Class Evan Kiphart, a freshman from Dalzell, Illinois. "Whether he was helping with proper uniform preparation, close order drill, or providing general knowledge on life in the fleet, Chief Cragin ensured that we had the fundamentals on which to build a strong foundation as aspiring officers."

Many of the unit's more senior midshipmen who were on the MOP training staff agreed Cragin was an asset to the orientation for the 25 incoming midshipmen.

"Chief was very helpful during our orientation program," said Midshipman 1st Class Robert Schultz, a senior from Champaign, Illinois. "He was extremely flexible and attended nearly every evolution during the week. He not only helped instruct the freshmen, but the midshipmen staff as well. Having a senior enlisted Sailor around gave us insight on how to be a leader, as well as motivated us towards our upcoming careers in the United States Navy or Marine Corps."

Many on the MOP training staff said Chief Cragin's wealth of knowledge allowed the Fighting Illini NROTC Battalion to excel during the MOP. All 25 new freshmen are now midshipmen and have joined the UI NROTC unit.

"It was great to have Chief Cragin here from Great Lakes," said Midshipman 2nd Class Austin Gregson, a junior from Columbia, Illinois. "Even as an instructor during the MOP, I learned more about professional conduct from the chief while training the midshipmen candidates. It was important to have a perspective from an enlisted Sailor, which is something many NROTC units never experience."

Cragin said the MOP is a great program and good introduction to the new midshipmen.

"The first and second class midshipmen ran the program and they were very professional," said Cragin. "They definitely owned their position of making sure the candidates would be ready to join the unit and ready to enter a military life. I was glad to be part of the training and would definitely do it again."

Rear Adm. Stephen C. Evans oversees the NROTC program as commander of Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) headquartered at Naval Station Great Lakes. NROTC was established to develop midshipmen mentally, morally and physically, and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, loyalty and Navy core values in order to commission college graduates as naval officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the naval service and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.

NSTC oversees 98 percent of initial officer and enlisted accessions training for the Navy, as well as the Navy's Citizenship Development program. NSTC includes Recruit Training Command (RTC), the Navy's only boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes, NROTC at more than 160 colleges and universities, Officer Training Command (OTC) at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, Navy Junior ROTC and Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) citizenship development programs at more than 600 high schools worldwide.

For more information about NROTC, visit http://www.nrotc.navy.mil.

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