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Savannah State University NROTC Holds Assumption of Command Ceremony

 



Captain Ragland (left) at his assumption of command ceremony, accompanied by Mrs. Tunya Ragland, his guest speaker, CDR Antonio D. Hull (RET) (center) and Master Gunnery Sgt Kalalee Clements.


Savannah State University NROTC Holds Assumption of Command Ceremony

The Savannah State University (SSU) Navy ROTC Unit recently held the assumption of command ceremony for Captain Adrian D. Ragland. Commander Antonio D. Hull, United States Navy (retired) served as guest speaker during the ceremony. 

Captain Ragland is a native of College Park, Ga. and a 1995 graduate of Savannah State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. His sea assignments include Damage Control Assistant and Second Division Officer in the USS Supply; Main Propulsion Assistant and Training Officer in the USS Carter Hall; and First Lieutenant in the USS Harpers, based in Sasebo, Japan. 

Ragland was assigned as executive officer and commanding officer in the USS Tortuga. where he supported Operation Tomodachi, embarking 300 Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces and land vehicles in the wake of the tsunami that impacted Japan in 2011. 

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards); Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal and various expeditionary, campaign, unit and service awards. Ragland earned a Master of Science in National Security Resource Strategy from Eisenhower School, National Defense University.

 The SSU NROTC was established on Sept. 22, 1971 with the enrollment of 41 midshipmen. The first three officers were commissioned in June 1974. In June 1977, the first two female officers were commissioned. In August of 1977 the first cross-town midshipman from Georgia Southern University, formerly Armstrong State University, was commissioned. The unit currently has 30 midshipmen enrolled.


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