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America on Alert

GW’s Naval ROTC Holds Commissioning Ceremony

Published May 14, 2004

By Greg Licamele

Amid the backdrop of the Iwo Jima Memorial and its stirring words, “Uncommon valor was a common virtue,” 28 students of the GW Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) were commissioned to the military on Friday morning.

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NROTC Ceremony



Twenty naval officers and eight marines from GW, Georgetown, the University of Maryland, Howard and Catholic University, spent one last day together as a class as family, friends and guests marked their rise to ensigns and second lieutenants.

“You’ve been challenged and tested throughout this rigorous process from your University academics, your Naval science classes and drills, leadership experiences and summer experiences. You have what it takes to be successful as a commissioned officer in the fleet,” said Captain Peter J. Healey, commanding officer of GW’s NROTC, the ninth largest in the country. “I would be proud to serve in the fleet with any of you.”


Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spicer, deputy director of surface ships, made the short trip from his Pentagon office to address the officers and their families. Spicer dispelled notions that new officers would have little impact in today’s military activities around the world. For example, in the war in Iraq, Spicer said Naval aviators have flown long missions over Baghdad and surface ships have fired more than 800 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

“And you know who’s usually in charge of those Tomahawk strike teams aboard those ships?” Spicer asked. “It’s fresh-taught ensigns that are out there pushing the buttons.”

The 28 officers, who also will be receiving their undergraduate degrees from their respective universities, listened to a written proclamation from President George W. Bush. Spicer administered the oath of office and then families were invited to help don the insignia of their son’s or daughter’s new office.

Richard Southby, professor of global health at the GW Medical Center and faculty liaison for the NROTC, expressed confidence that the new officers would perform duties with valor, just as the soldiers did at Iwo Jima during World War II.

“I’m sure that when you started your academic careers at The George Washington University (and other area universities), you did not imagine how much the world would change in four years,” Southby said. “Our nation is now at war, and absent any dramatic change in world politics and economics, this will be the situation for some time to come. The demands on you will be great and yes, dangerous. But I’m confident that each and every one of you will rise to the challenge and serve our nation proudly as many of your fellow citizens are doing now and have done so before.”

©2004 The George Washington University Office of University Relations, Washington, D.C.
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