The Marquette University (MU) Army, Naval, and Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) units held their annual Joint ROTC Awards Ceremony to celebrate the end of a semester and the specific achievements of individual cadets and midshipmen, March 28.

Rear Adm. Richard A. Brown, commander, Naval Service Training Command, served as the guest speaker for the event.

More than 125 awards were presented with various gifts including officer swords, plaques, medals, and thousands of dollars in scholarships. The cadets and midshipmen were recognized by their commands as well as retired military members, military family members, and civic organizations in Wisconsin.

Brown spoke to the crowd about the importance of service, the military's continually increasing technology, and the variety of missions and geography in our everyday military operations.

"By being here and actively participating in the ROTC program, you are supporting the legacy of our veterans and our forefathers. Thank you for that support," said Brown. "After leaving here, many of you will directly support our operations. You will report to a military that is continually operating throughout the world, protecting the American public, defending international sea lanes and trade routes, promoting international partnerships, and acting in our national interests. I know it is easy to get absorbed in our own branches of service. But the truth is that we work together more often than not to accomplish these goals."

Following the speech, Brown handed out awards with civic and veteran organization leaders, as well as Navy Capt. Daniel Olsen, Army Lt. Col. Michael Gibson, and Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Hassler, the commanding officers of their Service's respective ROTC units.
Army ROTC Cadet Corp. Jeremy Gunther, Midshipman Daniel Peters, and Air Force NROTC Cadet Joshua Stoeckmann received the Military Order of the Purple Heart from Mr. Eric Holmes for demonstrating exemplary leadership while enrolled in a senior ROTC Course.

"Right out of high school I enlisted in the Army Reserve," said Gunther. "I always wanted to pursue a college education and progress my military career. I thought the best way to do that was to join the ROTC unit. I picked the Army to better myself and to be proud of something I had earned."

One of the events top honors went to Midshipman 1st Class Margaret Brumley, who received the Chief of Naval Operations Distinguished Graduate Award for being the highest performing midshipman in the nation. Brumley, a nurse-option midshipman, maintained a 3.98 grade point average during her academic career and was also awarded the Adm. James L. Holloway Jr. Award.

"I am especially honored to receive the Admiral James L. Holloway Jr. Award as it brings light to all the people who have taught and supported me over the past years, said Brumley." I am lucky to have my parents, sisters, friends, fellow midshipmen and unit staff to learn from in my daily life. Circumstances have blessed me and I thank these special people for every experience that has made me who I am."

Brumley was among many students who received multiple awards during the ceremony. Army Cadet Alyse Gooderham was awarded the Staff Sgt. Omer T Hawkins Award and the Distinguished Military Graduate Award. Air Force Cadet Bryan Tordoff was awarded the Airmanship Excellence Award, the Non-Commissioned Officer Award, The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Award, and The Reserve Officers Association of the United States Award.

Marquette University is one of more than 160 colleges and universities across the country affiliated with NROTC.

For more information about Marquette University NROTC visit http://www.marquette.edu/rotc/navy/

For more information about NSTC, visit: www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/ or visit the NSTC Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/navalservicetraining/.
For more news from Naval Service Training Command, visit: www.navy.mil/local/greatlakes/.



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