Navy Midshipman Andrew Bazemore, from Rincon participated in the 2018 winter Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) ship selection draft as a future member of the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) community.
More than 40 midshipmen from NROTC units around the country chose to serve as surface warfare officers. Each selecting midshipmen are ranked according to their grade point average, aptitude scores and physical fitness.
“I was quiet when I came to Savannah State University, and interacting with the other midshipmen and active duty members allowed me to come out of my comfort zone,” Bazemore said. “Also, NROTC has helped with my work ethic and time management.”
According to their rankings, each midshipman provided a preference of ship or homeport to the junior officer detailer at the Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee. If these preferences were available, they were assigned as requested.
“This is the start of my service in the Navy and a way to signify the hard work that I’ve put in,” Bazemore said.
Bazemore, a 2014 South Effingham High School graduate, has selected to serve aboard USS Makin Island. He is majoring in biology and naval science at Savannah State University. Upon graduation, he will receive a commission as a Navy Ensign and report aboard Makin Island as a surface warfare officer.
Commissioned in 2009, Makin Island, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, is home ported at Naval Base San Diego. Modern U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the amphibious ready group and expeditionary strike group.
“I’m looking forward to finally being able to enter the fleet and work with other sailors,” Bazemore said.
The midshipmen’s ship selection is not only a major personal milestone but also an important day for the ships in the fleet. Not only do the midshipmen choose where they are going to start their Navy career, but the ship they choose will also gain a motivated, eager, young officer to help lead and improve an already great team, according to Navy officials.
"NROTC units across the country instill essential warfighting fundamentals, professional core competencies, and ethics required in a Navy or Marine Corps officer," said Rear Adm. Mike Bernacchi, Commander, Naval Service Training Command, which includes the NROTC Program. "I am enormously proud of our graduating midshipman for completing this demanding program, and look forward to them joining the fleet."
“I’m hard working and flexible, and I’ll be bringing loyalty, and time management to the ship,” Bazemore said.