Commanding Officer’s Philosophy

Over my years in the Navy, I have identified four key pillars that foster and sustain high-performing teams. I refer to these pillars using the acronym FIRE: Family, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence.

FAMILY: In the Naval Services, we are not only committed to our mission but also to each other and our families. It is vital that we take care of our Navy and Marine Corps families so that Sailors and Marines can focus on the mission at hand. We must ensure that our service members are present for significant moments in their family’s lives. Moreover, as Shipmates, we forge bonds akin to family ties. As we integrate into a platoon, division, or crew, we become part of a close-knit unit that in essence becomes a second family. It is crucial that we look out for one another and be there in times of need.

INTEGRITY: When a Marine declares that an area is clear, or a Sailor asserts that the ship is rigged for dive, the entire team must trust that the information is accurate. This trust is built on a foundation of honesty. Each Sailor and Marine must commit to transparency, acknowledging and reporting mistakes or shortcomings when they arise.

RESPECT: The Naval Services encompass individuals from diverse backgrounds, including various religions, cultures, values, genders, and orientations. These differences are what make our Navy and Marine Corps the strongest in the world. To harness this diversity effectively, we must cultivate a culture of respect. Respect fosters trust; when we feel valued, we are encouraged to share our unique perspectives and strengthen our bonds with each other.

EXCELLENCE: To achieve and maintain high performance, we must strive for excellence. This requires us to develop a robust cadre of Marines and Sailors and build a solid foundation of knowledge. We need to engage in realistic training scenarios and embrace continuous learning. Maintaining excellence is an ongoing effort that demands our commitment to improvement.

By nurturing a strong sense of family, upholding integrity, respecting all team members, and continuously pursuing excellence, we can create a high-performing team.

— J.E Houdeshell

Financial support from our alumni, friends, and family members helps to enrich the ROTC experience for all of our cadets and midshipmen. For example, donations help offset increasing costs for various activities, like training competitions and formal events (e.g., the annual military ball), so that our cadets and midshipmen can more readily participate.

You can donate to support our ROTC efforts at this Division of Military Education link. Thank you for helping prepare America’s future military leaders!

Air Force ROTC : Boston College, Brandeis University, Bridgewater State University, Emmanuel College, Northeastern University, Simmons University, Suffolk University, University of Massachusetts at Boston, & Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Army ROTC: Babson College, Bentley University, Brandeis University, Bridgewater State University, Curry College, Fisher College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Stonehill College, & University of Massachusetts at Boston. (In May 2024, the U.S. Army Cadet Command elevated the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to satellite status in our partnership, which means Army ROTC will be providing two cadre members who will be assigned full-time to the MMA campus at a future date.)

Navy/Marine Corps ROTC: Boston College & Northeastern University, with MIT, Harvard University, & Tufts University also falling under BU Navy/Marine Corps ROTC command, but with separate facilities.