Vanderbilt University - Commodore Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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Staff

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In the opinion of our Executive Officer. the Vanderbilt NROTC is 11one ofthe better units in the country? Although he takes none of the credit, :111 midshipmen would argue that LtCol Searle has added much to the quality of the Unit. As a graduate of the University of Washington with a 8.5. in Civil Engineering, LtCol Searle was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. USMC in 1956. After the Basic School and Flight School, LT Searle served with VMA121 in California, the Far East and aboard the USS TlCONDEROGA and USS CORAL SEA. After serving in Kaneohe with the First Marine Brigade. he once again became a student. this time at the US. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He graduated in 1966 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Next he had a tour with MAGl2 at Chu Lai, RVN after which he traveled to Washington, DC. to serve in Naval Air Systems Command. In 1970 and 1971 he served in Saigon with the Military Assistant Command. Vietnam. He then traveled to Yuma, Arizona where he became LtCol Searle and served as X0 and CO ofboth VMT103 and VMTIOZ and as X.O. of MCCRTGIO. 1n the fall of 1975. LtCol Searle became the Executive Officer of the NROTC Unit, Vanderbilt University and unfortunately for us 1977-1978 was his last year at the Unit. He retires from the US. Marine Corps on September 1. three years while he attends Vanderbilt to obtain his MS. in Engineering 1978 after 22 years of service. He will remain in Nashville for Science, after which he plans to resettle in the Northwest. LtCol Searle is proud of his stay here at Vandy, because he believes our program puts out 11quality7 Naval and Marine Corps Officers. He refers to us as top of the pack11 midshipmen. He hopes that in the near future the number of midshipmen at Vanderbilt will increase, because he believes this will make our Unit even stronger. With this dedication goes thanks from each midshipman for a job well done.

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? , I I '?'p sI Fr xi! 3 a I i ;s. CAVIAIN SIDNEY M. BANKS. USN Commanding Ofticer After two years at the University of Alabama. where he participated in Basic ROTC, CAPT Banks transferred to Jacksonville State for his final two undergraduate years. He was in graduate school when drafted by the Army. He obtained a deferment in order to finish his Master s Degree work. and then enlisted in the Navy. in 1953, following eighteen months ofenlisted service, he qualified for OCS. Since commissioning and NAO training. CAPT Banks has had a varied and interesting career, including stints as Aid and Flag Secretary to CTF-77 during the Viet Nam conflict. naval advisor to the Commandant of the Air Command and Staff College. and most recently. Executive Ofticer 0f the NAS in Millington, Tennessee. In recognition of his work, CAPT Banks was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Air Force and a gold star in lieu of another Meritorious Service Medal by the Navy. CAPT Banks insists that every tiight from a carrier was a most memorable experience in itself. However, he also points torhis service with CTF-77 as being very rewarding. From his privileged position on the staff that actually ran Naval Aviation in Viet Nam and coordinated it with the other services. CAW Banks was privy to a complete picture of the war that few others have received. In his First year at Vanderbilt. CAPT Banks admits that he is demanding. He says, til stress getting back to basics and leadership fundamentals, because America needs good young officers for strong preparedness in peacetime? Next to flying, CAPT Banks enjoys teaching. That is why he requested NROTC duty. In his spare time, CAPT Banks likes to work around the house and spend time with his ninth grade son, Mark. CAPT Banks also likes to hunt, fish, and read.