Two years after the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa began training the inaugural students of the state’s only Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), it celebrated a significant milestone—the commissioning of its first naval officer.
Midshipman Mahinalani Vongsy achieved the rank of ensign with the U.S. Navy in a ceremony that was held on December 15, aboard the Battleship Missouri. The next day, Vongsy marked another accomplishment and graduated with her BA in psychology at the fall 2023 commencement at the Stan Sheriff Center. The culmination of these events are proud moments for her and her parents, both of whom served in the U.S. military.
“I feel very honored to be the first commissioned Naval Officer from this historic program,” said Vongsy. “I pushed myself to a high standard and I really hope I set the bar high. I am a second generation Asian American, the daughter of two U.S. military veterans, and a super senior earning a summa cum laude in my major. If that doesn’t speak to you as the perfect person to be the first commissioned from UH NROTC, I’m not sure of a better person to do so.”
Embracing legacy of her parents
Vongsy is following in the footsteps of her parents, who were inspirational figures throughout her upbringing. Her mother, Katrina, a retired Navy lieutenant commander with 26 years of service, earned a BA in biology at UH Mānoa in fall 2003, exactly 20 years earlier than her daughter. Her father, Samson, a retired Army Sergeant First Class, served actively for 21 years.
Before earning her UH degree, Vongsy’s mother joined the Navy as a hospital corpsman. While Vongsy and her brother were still young children, their mother not only earned her commission but also secured admission to medical school. Vongsy’s father immigrated from Laos to Hawaiʻi in the 1970s to escape persecution from the Vietnam War, eventually settling in Pālolo Valley. He attended Kaimukī High School then enlisted in the Army after a few years of college.
“Seeing my mother persevere through the challenges of being in the military, raising my brother and I, and becoming a doctor all at the same time has inspired me to follow in her footsteps and also do great things,” she said. “My dad taught me everything I needed to know to get me to become a commissioned officer—the skills to be a good leader. He was basically my own personal drill instructor, preparing me for life.”
She added, “My parents gave me an amazing start on life, being able to go to college and get my degree and now I’m following in their footsteps in service. I only hope to be able to make them proud of continuing their legacy as another Vongsy serving in the U.S. Military.”
Highlight of college
Vongsy considers her participation in the NROTC program the highlight of her college experience. The friendships forged, the invaluable mentorships from esteemed staff, and the opportunities NROTC provided have left a lasting and meaningful imprint on her life.
This really is the premier NROTC unit in the country and I have been blessed.
— Vongsy
Through the program, Vongsy was able to travel to Japan and Singapore, sail through the South China Sea and the Philippines, connect with students from diverse corners of the globe, and engage with four-star admirals.
“This really is the premier NROTC unit in the country and I have been blessed,” Vongsy said. “Being in Hawaiʻi has afforded us so many opportunities apart from other NROTC programs. I’ve made amazing friends that I will soon see joining me in the fleet. They’ve [faculty and instructors] given me expertise on all things Navy, and I feel confident to say I will be a great addition to the team because of them.”
Using degree to empower service members
Vongsy pursued psychology as a major following a challenging period in her life marked by anxiety and depression.
“Through this struggle I was able to understand how mental anguish can affect people and I wanted to use my experience of getting through it to help others who are struggling with the same problems,” she said. “I want to help service members who struggle with mental illness and show them they are not alone.”
Vongsy aspires to leverage her time in the Navy to contribute to her research and understanding of mental health, aiming to reshape the stigma and culture surrounding these challenging conditions within the military.
Following graduation, Vongsy will undergo a basic division officer course in San Diego for several months before embarking on her first assignment aboard the USS Shiloh in Pearl Harbor.
“I am looking forward to exploring the world with my shipmates,” she said.
—by Arlene Abiang
