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player ready...Amid the season of graduation and commencement ceremonies, families join with students in celebration to mark these important milestones.
At Northwestern University, in addition to college graduation, the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps held their Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Commissioning Ceremony, Tuesday, June 13, at 11 a.m. at the Northwestern Lakefill.
The NROTC mission is — as described on their website — to develop future officers, prepare them mentally, morally and physically, instill in them the highest ideals of duty, loyalty, and the core values of honor, courage, and commitment in order to commission college graduates as Naval officers.
U.S. Navy Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science at the Chicago Area NROTC Consortium at Northwestern University Captain Robert A. Klaszk said their unit is small with only 20 or so people but it grew by one when Northwestern Ensign Matthew D. Lindstrom, received his commission during Tuesday’s ceremony.
“Matthew was accepted into the U.S. Navy’s nuclear power program and will be heading to the Navy’s Nuclear Power School in Goose Creek, South Carolina in November, before heading out for his ultimate service on submarines,” Klaszky said.
In addition to a four-year degree, Klaszky said NROTC training includes classes in naval science, naval operations, seamanship, leadership labs, military training physical fitness and military drill instruction.
“Northwestern’s program is considered one of the highly selective top-tier, NROTC programs in the country, founded in 1926, and offering all the educational benefits of a top 10 school,” Klaszky said.
Lindstrom’s grandparents Dorothy Cavaluchi and Robert A. Cavaluchi, a retired Navy commander, attended the ceremony. Robert Cavaluchi administered the oath of office to his grandson during the ceremony.
After the oath, among friends and loved ones, his parents Michael and Shannon Lindstrom came forward for the pinning of the Officer’s insignia followed by the first salute.
As a commissioning gift, Robert Cavaluchi presented Lindstrom with a ceremonial sword from his naval service.
“We are just so proud of our grandson, praying for his safety and so happy that he decided to follow this path,” Cavaluchi said.
Lindstrom’s mother was given a Blue Star Service Banner to hang in the window of their family home a symbol that represents someone from the home currently serving in the U.S. military.
“It’s inspiring and motivating to witness the ceremony, and to imagine myself going through this one year from now, it’s all I’ve been working for,” Midshipman Anaria White, who took part in the ceremony, said.
Ansel Pierson is a rising sophomore in the NROTC program.
“To be in the military takes not only courage but a willingness to take on a different level of commitment a different kind of life, and it helps that the members of our unit feel like family,” Pierson said.
Following his official commissioning, Lindstrom said he is ready for the next step.
“I am interested in the intellectual and physical rigors of service and believe that work on a submarine will help to deter conflict,” Lindstrom said.
Lindstrom thanked all who have supported him on his journey, and to his family who he said he loves to the bottom of the ocean and back.
“Even when I’m 1,000 feet down, you’ll be in my heart,” Lindstrom said.
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
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