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RADM THOMAS SHANNON '82 SHARES ADVICE WITH NROTC MIDSHIPMEN
By ELLIoT RoBERTS '18
onMonday,March16,2015,RearAdmiral learnedfromhistimeintheNavy.oneofthe
Thomas Shannon '82 sat with a group of
important lessons he wanted to teach Midship-
NRoTC Midshipmen at Maine Maritime
men was for them to "bloom where they were
Academy. During his visit with the cadets, the
planted." He highlighted the fact that the students
admiral spoke about his long career as a Surface
would not always be put in a place they wished
Warfare officer in the U.S. Navy. Alumnus
for, but regardless of the job, they should strive to
Shannon has had a diverse career as a leader in
be the best they could be in whatever they might
the Navy ranging from service on various surface
do. Lastly, RADM Shannon left the students one
ships to commanding Carrier Strike Group 1, and
final piece of advice: "Above al , [the Navy] is
now Military Sealift Command.
dying for initiative."
While RADM Shannon spoke with the
The NRoTC Midshipmen were extremely
Midshipmen he touched on several points: his
grateful to have had such a distinguished alum-
personal experience as an officer, advice he had
nus share his experiences with them.
NROTC students host RADM Tom Shannon '82 at the NROTC Center,
for others, and most importantly, the lessons he
Maine Maritime Academy. Photo Courtesy of NROTC.
Maine Maritime Alumni Celebrate 35th
Anniversary of Navy Port Engineers
By JoHN GooDE, oPERATIoNS & SUSTAINMENT, CAMBER CoRPoRATIoN
Prideinownership:thissentimentisshared "Ispent80%ofmytimeontheshipbackthen. unparalleledtraining,communication,interper-
by every Navy Port Engineer entrusted with
There were no computers or cel phones and a lot
sonal, and organizational skil s needed to thrive
maintaining the operational readiness of
of work got done."
in a complex maintenance environment. "I was
their assigned ship. From the first Port Engi-
Navy Port Engineers from MMA have proudly
intrigued by the program and looked forward
neer on the AFS-class in 1980 to the 175 men &
served the Fleet aboard DDG, CG, FFG, LCS,
to the challenge of learning a new platform of
women serving in the program today around the
LHA, LHD, LPD, LSD, MCM, and PC ships in
vessels and a different style of life that comes with
world, each one is
Everett, Wash.; Mayport, Fla.; Norfolk, Va.; Pearl
being a Navy Port Engineer," say Renee Justice
united by the com-
Harbor, Hawaii; Rota, Spain; San Diego, Calif.;
'91 who joined the program in 2013.
mon goals of know-
Sasebo, Japan, and Yokosuka, Japan. Current
"As the Navy's Port Engineer program reflects
ing more about the
MMA Navy Port Engineers include Troy Am-
on the past 35 years, MMA graduates have been a
material condition
mons '88, Tom Bourgelas '81, Norvin Castillo
recognized constant due to their sea experiences,
of their ship than
'07, Mike DeSanctis '78, Bill Doherty '83, Pat
engineering diligence, and fortitude they each
anyone else and
Gladu '04, Renee Justice '91, Jack Perkins
bring in support of managing al maintenance
ensuring each hul
'82, Dan Plourde '86, Mark Pulkkinen '79,
requirements at the right levels, right times, and
meets its expected
and Mark Scime '03.
right costs whereby maximizing operational
service life.
MMA Alumni are a vital part of the program's
readiness to their assigned ships," says John
Port Engineer Mark Pulkkinen
MMA Alumni
success because they have the qualifications the
"Chip" Callan '88, former Navy Port Engineer
'79. Photo by J Goode.
have been involved
Navy desires (Marine Engineering degree, USCG
& Program Manager.
with the program throughout the 30 years that
license, sailing
the Port Engineer concept has been in effect.
experience,
It was first introduced to serve as the Navy's
ability to
"owner's rep." Mark Pulkkinen '79 joined the
obtain secret
program in 1984, assigned to the USS Mauna Kea
clearance)
(AE-22) and USS Flint (AE-32). Mark recal s,
and possess
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MARINER / 2015 - ISSUE 2

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