Vanderbilt University - Commodore Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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LIEUTENANT JAMES R. POPLAR. USN Zlc Instructor A native of Maryland, LT Ross Poplar is a 1974 graduate of the University of Mississippi. After commissioning and schools, he served on the USS LEAHY tCG-IQ for three years as gunnery assistant, ASW officer, navigator and the legal officer. This year he arrived at Vanderbilt as the 2nd class instructor. He is also Bravo Co. advisor, recruiting officer, and assistant basketball coach. Mr. Poplar enjoys his work at the Unit because it provides a tisense of accomplishment. He, along with his wife, Helene, and his children, Steve and Brenda enjoy uliving in the country in Pleasantview, quite a change from San Diego. Along with his work in the Unit, LT Poplar is also working toward a Masters Degree in Engineering Management. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, tennis and ufiddlingn with cars. Hewill only be at Vandy for two years after which he hopes to attend Destroyer School and become a Department Head on his next ship. LIEUTENANT MANN A. SHOFFNER, USN 1 k Advisor LT Shoffner was born in Newport, Arkansas, the son of a career Marine. After graduating in 1971 from the US. Naval Academy with a BS. in Latin American Studies and Spanish, he served as a Deck Division Officer on a carrier. From J anuary to Augist, 1972, he attended flight school. Subsequently, he sewed as an Electronic Warfare Evaluator and Legal Officer in Rota, Spain. LT Shoffner cites as his most memorable experience in the Navy the reconnaissance missions he flew in the Middle East during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. In flying over International waters, he could see F-4,s and MIG 21is engaged in actual combat. Besides advising the senior midshipmen, LT Shoffner also advises the Quarterdeck Society and Alpha Company. LT Shoffner completed his work for his Masterts Degree in Engineering Management this past August. He leaves the Navy in June and begins work in a management position with a subsidiary of Proctor and Gamble Corporation in Memphis. Although he and his wife, Sandy, are kept busy raising their children, Joey and Lori Ann, LT Shoffner enjoys handball, racquetball, and pick-up basketball when he gets a chance to play.

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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.

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LIEUTENANT JOHN L. lFISlllfR. JR., USN 41c Instructor After enlisting in 1966 and serving aboard the USS SARATOGA tCVA-601, Mr. Fisher became u NESliP at the NROTC Unit hete :tt Vanderbiltl In 1073 he graduated cum lLludC with :1 degree in Engineering Science and a minor in Electrical Engineering. 5.1.5. and Nuclear Engineering. After commissioning. he served on the USS RICHARD E. BYRD lDDC-ISl us gun boss, First Lieutenant and Main Propulsion Assistant. Since the fall of 1976. Mr. Fisher has been the 4th class instructor and advisers He is also the Spring Review coordinator. basketball coach and the First Lieutenant of the Unit. He believes that llinvolvement is the key to a Successful unit and says that involvement at the Unit is ilgood now but it could always get better. He will be leaving the,Unit in June 1979 and hopefully become a Chief Engineering officer on :1 Guided Missile Destroyer. In his spare time, Mr. Fisher likes to work on automobiles and also work in the yard. Bowling is another favorite activity. LT Fisher and his wife Marilee have two children, John and Jamie. LIEUTENANT A. CLINTON BURDETT, USN 3k Advisor Originally from Atlanta. LT Burdett is :yVanderbilt alumnus. A former Battalion Commander and Board of Trust nominee. he graduated magnu cum laude with a BA. in Political Science. Since commissioning and then eanting his wings. he has had duty in the Far East aboard two AFSis and in San Diego flying Verttep missions, an activity not easily forgotten. LT Burdettis most memorable experience in the Navy occurred in January of 1077 when he was tlyittg Vertrcp for an LPH. The night was pitch black and the rough sea was rolling and pitching the ship 15 degrees. In spite of these factors and a dangerous tuil wind approach. after four and ;1 half hours of hard work and concentration. the mission wus successfully concluded with no one hurt. Presently LT Burdett. :t bachelor. is working on u Muster s Degree in Engineering Management, At the Unit. he teaches American Military History, and advises the Band, the publications Stalls. and the Blue Angels. LT Butdett is an avid outdoorsmun. enjoying running, backpacking :intl muttntttin climbing. lle attributes much 01' his earls mtetcst in the outdoors to seeing the movie Jurt'mmh Jnlumm. He has climbed :t moderately dil'ticult mute Mt. Whitney :tttd plans to go back to the mltls ulit'ulitmniu again this summer.