High school cadets experience ASU Naval ROTC

How do you know if you want to become a Navy or Marine Corps Officer and Sun Devil? More than 60 high school students from the Phoenix metro area got to find out on “Shadow a Midshipman Day,” as part of ASU’s Salute to Service week. 

Junior ROTC cadets from Moon Valley High School and Apache Junction High School joined active duty lieutenants and ASU Naval ROTC midshipman for a one-day orientation experience that included visits to dorm rooms, laboratories, classrooms and tutoring centers. 

Favorite stops ranged from the Navigational Simulator at the Naval ROTC facilities, where cadets drove ships, to a tour of the School of Earth and Space Exploration. 

Cadet Matthew Slobodianuk of Moon Valley High School Junior ROTC said, “The Gallery of Scientific Exploration was way more than I expected at a college.” 

At the end of the day, the cadets and ASU midshipmen attended the men’s basketball game at Wells Fargo Arena and cheered the Sun Devils to a 90-54 win over the Miami Redhawks. Sharing ASU pride and respect for veterans and future service members, the student section showed the cadets what it’s like to be a Sun Devil first-hand.

“The non-NROTC students at the basketball game were so welcoming and friendly. They actually sought us out in the arena and had the cadets join right into the student section,” said Commander Ken Liles from Moon Valley High School. 

Cadet Saul Cisneros of Moon Valley High School believes the experience helped him make important future decisions. “It was great!” he said. “Before I went, I had little interest in Naval ROTC and now I want to be a part of it.” 

The high school cadets weren't the only ones who benefited from the Shadow a Midshipman Day. The ASU midshipmen who served as tour guides enjoyed showing cadets what life could be like at Arizona State.

Midshipman 4/C Yasmeen Keys said, "I am very grateful for these experiences; hands-on and interactive examples of leadership and passion in naval tradition and excellence are why I want to be a Naval officer. I utilize these opportunities to share these passions with my potential future shipmates!"

The Naval ROTC unit at Arizona State was established in 2010 and has since grown to be one of the largest in the nation. Learn more about the program and how to apply for scholarships that lead to a commission as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps at http://nrotc.asu.edu. 

Written by Midshipman 1/C Amanda DeArmond and Lieutenant Ryan Taggart