In an attempt to recruit more African-American students for top leadership positions in the Navy, Admiral Ann Rondeau became the first flag staff officer to tour an HBCU’s campus. Rondeau, who is the Commander of the Naval Service Training Command is responsible for the Navy’s Officer and Enlisted Accession Training Program including NROTC, met with Chancellor Jackson and other campus officials about informing students on the many scholarship opportunities, especially math and science based majors.
The Navy currently offers a ROTC scholarship to attract qualified students that require a four-year service committment. Statistics show that African-American students apply for the scholarships at a much lower rate than Caucasians.
“Many African-American students think of the Navy as hairy sailors with tattoos. We are trying to change that image,” said Captain Jeffery Sapp, the commanding officer of Southern’s NROTC.
Among enlisted persons African-Africans account for roughly 20 percent and about 4 percent of the officers.
“I think that it is important for them to recruit leadership that reflects both society and the Navy and I’m glad that they are looking at HBCU, ” said Senior Chief James Whiteside, a maintenance coordinator and career Navy man.
Rondeau will travel to all NROTC programs at HBCUs in order to help with this new campaign. “We are very interested in what we can do to bring highly qualified African-American students to the Navy,” said Randeau.
Southern University is one of only seven NROTC programs at an HBCU. The first was started at Prairie View University and A&M College in 1968. Southern followed in 1971. Southern is known as one of the top ROTC programs in the nation producing the first African-American graduate to be accepted into the Navy’s nuclear science program.
The Navy is committed to helping African-American students who are interested in naval careers and to educate those who don’t know. “We know that students look for corporate jobs after graduation and hope that we can get them to consider careers with the Navy instead.” said Commander Damon Singleton.
For more information on NROTC scholarships you can contact the scholarship officer at (225) 771-4370.
