Rear Adm. Cedric E. Pringle, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group THREE, has returned to his headquarters at Naval Base San Diego following the completion of a successful ROTC and Recruiting Engagement Effort (R2E2) tour throughout the southeast United States.

Between Nov. 12 and Nov. 16, 2018, Pringle visited five Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) units, and spoke with 10 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) units, in South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida and Texas about leadership and the Navy the Nation Needs. He also spoke with both ROTC and school leadership at each of the universities.

"R2E2 was an extremely successful and rewarding initiative,"  Pringle said.  "My primary goals were to educate and inspire future leaders about opportunities in the Navy our Nation Needs. R2E2’s theme of ‘dream big, work hard, and never quit’ was well received at all levels and set conditions for questions ranging from leadership expectations to technological advancements. Based on the talented young midshipmen and cadets that I met during R2E2, our future is bright!”

Midshipmen from the University of South Carolina, Savannah State University, Southern University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University discussed three key principles with Pringle; dream big, work hard, never quit.

Pringle also spoke with students about advancing technology in the naval force, to include additive manufacturing, fifth generation assets and the expanding domain of cyber warfare. 

The ROTC and Recruiting Engagement Effort (R2E2) initiative is an Expeditionary Strike Group THREE outreach program which enables Flag-level mentorship of students in order to discuss the Navy the Nation Needs with the next generation of leaders.

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