University of Hawaii Naval ROTC Upgrades Facilities with Training Support from Navy Seabees

18 May 2023

From Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jonathan B. Trejo

HONOLULU - The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) Naval ROTC Midshipmen completed, April 28, a massive renovation project of their facilities at UHM – a significant milestone accomplished with training and mentorship support from Seabees assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303 Detachment Pearl Harbor.

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Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks with the University of Hawaii’s Naval ROTC staff and Seabees assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 about the importance of the Naval ROTC facility renovation, April 29, 2023. The execution of the facility renovation was a collaborative effort between UH Naval ROTC, UH facilities department, Seabees and U.S. Pacific Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jonathan B. Trejo)

HONOLULU (April 29, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks with the University of Hawaii’s Naval ROTC staff and Seabees assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 about the importance of the Naval ROTC facility renovation, April 29, 2023. The execution of the facility renovation was a collaborative effort between UH Naval ROTC, UH facilities department, Seabees and U.S. Pacific Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jonathan B. Trejo)

The Naval ROTC facility renovation was a collaborative effort between UHM Naval ROTC, UHM facilities department, CBMU-303, and Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. CBMU-303 Seabees provided training and advisory support to the Midshipmen, who volunteered to execute the project.

“Being a part of the transformation team was an amazing experience,” said Midshipman 2nd Class Zachary Barto, from Phoenix, a junior in the Naval ROTC program at UHM. “Being able to look at the space that we call home now and knowing that I had some participation in building it is a great feeling.”

UHM’s Naval ROTC was founded in 2021. The Koa O Ke Kai Battalion claims the title of the nation’s newest Naval ROTC unit and has a student body of more than 40 midshipmen.

"During our first year in 2021, the University of Hawaii put forth a wonderful effort to provide our battalion with buildings and spaces we could call our own,” said Lt. Sawyer Smith, a Naval ROTC instructor at UHM.

Midshipman 3rd Class Robert Nelson, from Makakilo, Hawaii, a student in the University of Hawaii’s Naval ROTC program, presents Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, with a lei for his support towards the exterior renovation of the Naval ROTC facilities, April 29, 2023. The execution of the facility renovation was a collaborative effort between UH Naval ROTC, UH facilities department, Seabees assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 and U.S. Pacific Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jonathan B. Trejo)

HONOLULU (April 29, 2023) Midshipman 3rd Class Robert Nelson, from Makakilo, Hawaii, a student in the University of Hawaii’s Naval ROTC program, presents Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, with a lei for his support towards the exterior renovation of the Naval ROTC facilities, April 29, 2023. The execution of the facility renovation was a collaborative effort between UH Naval ROTC, UH facilities department, Seabees assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 and U.S. Pacific Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jonathan B. Trejo)

UHM funded the project, which cost approximately $54,000.

“The overall project was a great opportunity for our Seabees. This project allowed our crew to be leaders, learn new skills, and train the UHM midshipmen,” said Steelworker 1st Class Gregory Shipman, project supervisor assigned to CBMU-303. “

“We are grateful and appreciative of the Seabees that provided valuable training and helped improve our Naval ROTC spaces,” said Midshipman 3rd Class Dylan Yamaguchi, from Poipu, Kauai, a sophomore in the Naval ROTC program at UHM. “They worked hard on this project and did an outstanding job.”

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks with Naval ROTC midshipmen and guests during an awards ceremony at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, April 29, 2023. Paparo spoke about the unique opportunity these students have to study at UH and the honorable profession of serving in the U.S. military. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jonathan B. Trejo)

HONOLULU (April 29, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks with Naval ROTC midshipmen and guests during an awards ceremony at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, April 29, 2023. Paparo spoke about the unique opportunity these students have to study at UH and the honorable profession of serving in the U.S. military. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jonathan B. Trejo)

Smith said the renovation has caused their sense of purpose to grow significantly.

“We really feel like we belong here,” said Smith. “Now, as we prepare for our largest incoming freshman class since the unit's inception, we're the best-looking ROTC program on campus."

The university’s facilities department approved all work and hired a contractor to demolish portions of the facility needing replacement, dispose of those portions, and prepare all surfaces for painting.

Barto said he hopes that future UHM Naval ROTC students find this unit to be a momentous stepping stone into a career of service.

“This unit offers so many opportunities to grow professionally,” said Barto. “By participating and giving everything they have to this unit, I hope they find a place that is willing to do the same in return, which I know will be true from everything this unit has done for me.”

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