CASTINE, Maine – Maine Maritime Academy’s Regiment of Midshipmen held its annual Change of Command Ceremony on February 24, transferring authority and responsibilities between two classes of student leaders. Graduating First Class Midshipmen passed their leadership positions to Second Class Midshipmen who will guide the Regiment through the next year.

The Change of Command event was combined with a pinning ceremony for fourteen students participating in the Strategic Sealift Midshipman Program. These students are part of the Regiment of Midshipmen program and NROTC; they will commission as Naval Reserve Officers upon graduation and join the ranks of our Nation’s Strategic Sealift Officers.

Traditionally, the ceremony takes place before the entire Regiment. This year, the event was held in-person and livestreamed for extended family and friends.

In addition to performing the traditional responsibilities designated by their roles, the outgoing leadership was instrumental in helping facilitate multiple safety initiatives, assisting in training on-campus and aboard the Training Ship State of Maine (TSSOM), orchestrating a safe Regimental Preparatory Training for incoming freshmen, building a sense of community, maintaining morale, and upholding Regimental standards all while adapting to changes brought on by the pandemic.

“Incoming student officers are inheriting high standards of excellence,” noted John Cashman, Commandant of Midshipmen. “Given their aspirations and genuine concern for their classmates, I have no doubt that they will excel in carrying out their responsibilities while building upon their own leadership skills. Our regimental program is successful because of the students who, with the support of their peers, fulfill these leadership opportunities.”

Outgoing class of 2022 Regimental Commander Midshipman 1/C John Watt, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Greenville, Maine, passed his responsibilities to incoming class of 2023 Regimental Commander Midshipman 2/C Natalie Samuels a Marine Transportation Operations major from Camden, Maine.

Outgoing class of 2021-2022 Wedge and Company Commanders:

• Regimental Executive Officer:  Midshipman 1/C Maxwell Mattson, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Blue Hill, ME
• Regimental Operations Officer:  Midshipman 1/C Tristan Walker, a Marine Science major from Virginia Beach, VA
• Cadet Master:  Midshipman 1/C Nickolaus Lewis, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Canadensis, PA
• Cadet Chief Engineer:  Midshipman 1/C Jacob Olson, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Charleston, ME
• Regimental Adjutant:  Midshipman 1/C Patrick Whittam, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Lewes, DE
• Regimental Physical Training Instructor:  Midshipman 1/C Kristian Kibler, a Marine Engineering Operations major from Camden, ME
• Regimental Public Relations:  Midshipman 1/C Gloria Passman, a Marine Biology and Small Vessel Operations major from Bar Harbor, ME
• Regimental Morale Officer:  Midshipman 1/C Joseph Van Ess, a Vessel Operations Technology major from Mechanicsville, VA
• Regimental Senior Stryker:  Midshipman 1/C Catherine Cornell, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Portland, ME
• Cadet Chief Mate:  Midshipman 1/C George Hawley, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Savannah, GA
• Cadet 1st Engineer:  Midshipman 1/C Mason Oliver, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Deer Isle, ME
• Band Company:  Midshipman 1/C Patrick McEneaney, a Marine Systems Engineering major from Suffolk, VA
• Alpha Company:  Midshipman 1/C Darren Turner, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Charlotte, ME
• Bravo Company:  Midshipman 1/C Sawyer King, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Appleton, ME
• Charlie Company:  Midshipman 1/C Daniel Henesy, a Marine Engineering Operations major from Mount Pleasant, SC
• Delta Company:  Midshipman 1/C George Hawley, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Savannah, GA
• Drill Company:  Midshipman 1/C Christian Shepard, Marine Transportation Operations major from Franklin, NH

Incoming class of 2022-2023 Wedge and Company Commanders:

• Regimental Executive Officer:  Midshipman 2/C William Procko, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Branford, FL
• Regimental Operations Officer:  Midshipman 2/C Sean Caulfield, a Marine Engineering Operations major from San Diego, CA
• Cadet Master:  Midshipman 2/C Shannon Estus, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Frewsburg, NY
• Cadet Chief Engineer:  Midshipman 2/C Logan Eckman, a Marine Systems Engineering major from Dedham, ME
• Regimental Adjutant:  Midshipman 2/C Tamra Miller, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Warren, ME
• Regimental Master at Arms:  Midshipman 2/C Julia Malcolm, a Marine Systems Engineering major from Trenton, ME
• Regimental Physical Training Instructor:  Midshipman 2/C Cole Eddins, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Fort Smith, AR
• Regimental Public Relations:  Midshipman 2/C John Egger, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Marion, MA
• Regimental Morale Officer:  Midshipman 2/C Marshall Joyce, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Virginia Beach, VA
• Regimental Senior Stryker:  Midshipman 2/C Colin Barry, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Norwich, CT
• Regimental Academics Officer:  Midshipman 2/C Isaac Sewell, Marine Systems Engineering Design major from Bangor, ME
• Cadet Chief Mate:  Midshipman 2/C Kevin Cokgormusler, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Bangor, ME
• Cadet 1st Engineer:  Midshipman 2/C Amber Card, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Bowdoin, ME
• Band Company:  Midshipman 2/C Rodger Hawkins, a Marine Systems Engineering major from Mason, TN
• Alpha Company:  Midshipman 2/C Tate Cooper, a Marine Transportation Operations major from North Hampton, NH
• Bravo Company:  Midshipman 2/C Tiegen Lindstedt, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Gray, ME
• Charlie Company:  Midshipman 2/C Haley Kent, a Marine Science / Small Vessel Operations major from Needham, MA
• Delta Company:  Midshipman 2/C Patrick Amba, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Walnut Creek, CA
• Drill Company:  Midshipman 2/C Wolfgang Redman, Power Engineering Technology major from Tega Cay, SC

In their new roles, incoming officers will help prepare for this summer’s at-sea training cruise aboard TSSOM and the August arrival of the next class of incoming Regimental students. For more information about the Regiment of Midshipmen, please visit our website.