U. S. Navy Lieutenant Nathan Greenwood, University of Idaho Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) staff advisor and instructor, was recently selected as the 2015 Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) Instructor of the Year (IOY).

"I knew I was my unit's nominee, which was quite an honor to begin with because I work with several great guys here," said Greenwood, from Madisonville, Tenn. Once we sent the nomination package in I hadn't given the award much thought because it seemed like such a longshot, so it was quite a shock when my XO told me I had been selected.

Rear Adm. Stephen C. Evans, NSTC commander, made the announcement Nov. 18. Also nominated were: Navy Lieutenants James A. Brassard, Officer Training Command (OTC) Newport, R. I.; Michael W. Haberkorn, University of Illinois NROTC; and Clinton K. Johnson, University of San Diego NROTC. U. S. Marine Corps Major Christopher E. Bourbeau, NROTC Illinois, and Captains Joshua T. Fisher, University of Virginia NROTC; Brian A. Kerg, University of Michigan NROTC; and David L. Wood, Vanderbilt University NROTC were the other IOY nominees.

NSTC also announced three Recruit Training Command (RTC) Sailors as enlisted IOYs. Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Hawa Riley was named the Senior Enlisted IOY; Damage Controlman 1st Class Brandon E. Gregrow was declared the Mid-Grade Enlisted IOY and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) 2nd Class Gialyn D. Daileg was selected as Junior Enlisted Instructor of the Year.

"We are in the business of preparing new Sailors for the fleet, and the contributions of these nominees are at the core of our mission," said Evans. "They were nominated because they embody the core tenants of effective instruction and leadership, which has made a tremendous impact on our Naval accessions training. Congratulations to this year's winner as well as all the nominees."

Greenwood serves as advisor to the junior and senior midshipmen at Idaho and also teaches a Naval Science course each semester, Naval Engineering instructor in the fall and Sea Power & Maritime Affairs in the spring.

"I do everything I can to help my advisees identify their strengths and get to know them on a personal level. That helps to figure out where they would best fit in the Navy so that we can work toward getting them the service assignment they desire at graduation," said Greenwood. "I stress with all of my juniors how important that year is as the last chance to make an impression on the service assignment board that will decide their fate in August of their senior year."

The 28-year-old submarine officer joined the Navy straight out of high school, accepting an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. He graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned into the submarine community, the only community he considered from the time he thought about joining the Navy in high School. After completing the nuclear training pipeline the Tennessee native was assigned to the Gold crew of the Ohio-class ballistic missile nuclear submarine USS Tennessee (SSBN 734). Aboard Tennessee, Greenwood made four strategic deterrent patrols from March 2011 until January 2014 while serving as Reactor Control Assistant, Communications Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer.

"During World War II, my grandfather served in the Army and several great-uncles served in the Marine Corps and Navy, including one other submariner. No one else in my family had any military experience, so my parents (Alfred and Carolynn Greenwood) were pretty surprised when I said this was what I wanted to do."

According to the Idaho unit's executive officer, the thing that really set Greenwood apart from the other NSTC nominees was his heartfelt care for the junior and senior midshipmen.

"He definitely has shown a lot of care and attention to his advisees, whether in the classroom as a student and also the midshipmen he is mentoring whether it be to nuclear power, submarines or really any junior or senior midshipman because he sees all of them up through their final commissioning point," said Cmdr. Alex Greig.

Greig also noted Greenwood's volunteer work in the local community.

"He is very active in the community. He is involved in Special Olympics and has volunteered at numerous events. He is also very involved with a number of local veteran organizations. Being a good ambassador for the Navy with the community is something we tried to amplify in his recommendation," said Greig.

In the write up for his nomination Greenwood was commended for meritorious achievement as Submarine Warfare Officer Instructor and Assistant Professor of Naval Science at the University of Idaho NROTC Unit from October 2014 to September 2015 resulting in his selection as the NSTC IOY.

"Lt. Greenwood executed his duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. He directly contributed to the personal and professional development of over 80 midshipmen, Officer Candidates, and Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) students and provided a critical element in the unit's success and ability to train, mentor, and educate the nation's future Naval officers. His most noteworthy accomplishments include: Being a stellar instructor, exceptional staff Nuclear Power Officer, dedicated mentor, determined trainer and articulate spokesman," the write up stated.

"Lt. Greenwood epitomized the best of our Fleet junior officers. His efforts and performance have set a higher standard and made an exceptionally broad and positive impact in the professional development of NROTC Program students. He firmly established himself as the example for all midshipmen to emulate. His initiative and selfless devotion to duty are worthy of recognition."

Evans and his NSTC staff, headquartered at Naval Station Great Lakes, oversee 98 percent of initial officer and enlisted accessions training for the Navy. This includes NROTC units at more than 160 colleges and universities around the United States.

The NROTC program 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 also supervises Recruit Training Command (RTC), the Navy's only boot camp, also at Naval Station Great Lakes; Officer Training Command (OTC) on Naval Station Newport, R.I.; and Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) and Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) citizenship development programs at more than 600 high schools worldwide.

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

For more information about NSTC, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/ or visit the NSTC Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/NavalServiceTraining/.

For more NSTC news, visit www.navy.mil/local/greatlakes/.

For more news from Naval Service Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.

For more news from Naval Service Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.