The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) is entering its second year with a new cohort and is adding a Marine Corps unit to the program. In addition to its Navy unit, the program will now screen and accept Marine officer candidates.
Recently joining the UH Mānoa program to head the new detachment is Capt. Grace Jenkins, U.S. Marine Corps.
“Standing up the UH Marine NROTC unit with a team eager to assist and an island full of service members has been none less than a team effort,” said Jenkins, who will serve as Marine Corps Instructor. “The unit is in its infancy stage, but has had resounding help from Marine Corps Pacific Fleet, Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi and Commander Pacific Fleet.”
New Student Orientation
About 40 midshipmen participated in the recent New Student Orientation held August 12–16, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor, Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay and on the UH Mānoa campus.
NROTC’s newest members were introduced to the program and took part in a series of activities—physical fitness tests and a swim qualification, weapons handling, pistol familiarization range, close-order drill, an intro to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, an overnight stay aboard USS Missouri—and attended the Kaneohe Bay Air Show, where they interacted with Navy and Marine Corps officers and watched the Navy Blue Angels performance.
The students ended their orientation by moving into their residence halls to kick off their first semester as college students.
Midshipmen Bailey Gapusan said he enjoyed his experience during orientation and for what lies ahead. “My favorite part was the Marine Corps martial art, especially ground fighting. I’m looking forward to being part of the first Marine Corps unit,” he said.
Midshipman Jason Stevenson-Chupany, who is joining the Navy unit, said, “I liked meeting the Marine drill instructors to learn the fundamentals, as well as our time aboard the USS Missouri. I am most excited for the leadership opportunities.”
Aside from the addition of the Marine Corps unit, UH Manoa’s NROTC just completed a two-month pilot summer internship program with the U.S. Pacific Fleet which provided midshipmen the opportunity to join the COMPACFLT headquarters command as full staff members and exposed them to different roles and responsibilities of Navy occupational specialties.
UH Mānoa’s NROTC program was established in August 2020. Find more information and apply to the NROTC program online.
