Maine Maritime student leaders assume duties during annual Change of Command Ceremony
CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy’s Regiment of Midshipmen held its annual Change of Command Ceremony on Feb. 24, transferring authority and responsibilities between two classes of student leaders. Graduating First Class Midshipmen passed their leadership positions to Second Class Midshipmen who will guide the Regiment through the next year.
The Change of Command event was combined with a pinning ceremony for 14 students participating in the Strategic Sealift Midshipman Program. These students are part of the Regiment of Midshipmen program and NROTC; they will be commissioned as Naval Reserve Officers upon graduation and join the ranks of our nation’s Strategic Sealift Officers.
Traditionally, the ceremony takes place before the entire Regiment. This year, the event was held in-person and livestreamed for extended family and friends.
In addition to performing the traditional responsibilities designated by their roles, the outgoing leadership was instrumental in helping facilitate multiple safety initiatives, assisting in training on-campus and aboard the Training Ship State of Maine, orchestrating a safe Regimental Preparatory Training for incoming freshmen, building a sense of community, maintaining morale, and upholding Regimental standards all while adapting to changes brought on by the pandemic.
“Incoming student officers are inheriting high standards of excellence,” noted John Cashman, commandant of Midshipmen. “Given their aspirations and genuine concern for their classmates, I have no doubt that they will excel in carrying out their responsibilities while building upon their own leadership skills. Our regimental program is successful because of the students who, with the support of their peers, fulfill these leadership opportunities.”
Outgoing class of 2022 Regimental Commander Midshipman 1/C John Watt, a marine engineering technology major from Greenville, passed his responsibilities to incoming class of 2023 Regimental Commander Midshipman 2/C Natalie Samuels of Camden.
Outgoing class of 2021-22 Wedge and Company Commanders include Cadet Chief Engineer: Midshipman 1/C Jacob Olson, a marine engineering technology major from Charleston.
In their new roles, incoming officers will help prepare for this summer’s at-sea training cruise aboard TSSOM and the August arrival of the next class of incoming Regimental students. For more information about the Regiment of Midshipmen, please visit https://mainemaritime.edu/student-life/regimental-program/.