1988

LT Lynn Baker
I've been out of the service since 1996; I was on active duty for 3 years, followed by a 5-year reserve stint, and I chose to separate out after my 8-year obligation. I kick myself for that from time to time, since if I'd stayed with the reserves, I'd be getting close to my 20 years now.

When I was on active duty, I was assigned as the 2nd Division officer, USS Tortuga (LSD 46). It was new construction, so I joined the Precommissioning Unit in Norfolk after graduating from Tech in May 88. I spent a fair amount of time attending various schools and cross-decking to other ships heading out to sea so I could get some underway experience while waiting for the Tortuga to be commissioned, so I spent a few weeks here and there on the Portland, the Hayler, and the Gunston Hall. I got my SWO pin while on the Tortuga, and had a list of collateral duties as long as your arm--Damage Control Training Team, MWR, MWR Fund Custodian, you name it. I was with the Tortuga down in Gitmo during the first Gulf War.

These days, I work as a game designer and a writer. I'm employed at Wizards of the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. I've been married since 1991 (met my wife at Tech). We have two daughters, ages 10 and 7.

LTCol. Peter J. DeVine, USMC
I graduated from Tech in 1988 with a BA in history. My one claim to Tech fame: I was the first MECEP to ever attend Virginia Tech. I was selected for the MECEP Program in 1985 and arrived as a Sergeant. Although I was not in the midshipman battalion, I was a member of the NROTC, reported to the MOI, was a member of the Semper Fi Society, and various other NROTC events. I was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 1987 and then commissioned in August 1988. I understand that Tech has one of the largest MECEP populations in the country. Oddly enough, I was the squadron XO in Okinawa to another Tech MECEP, Capt (Sel) Jason Clark.

I currently am assigned to the Defense Threat Reduction Center. I'm Chief of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)/Nuclear Branch in the On-Site Inspections Directorate.

CDR Andrew C. Garlington
Commander Garlington graduated in May 1988 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. He reported to Surface Warfare Officer School Command in Newport, Rhode Island, where he graduated from Surface Warfare Division Officer Course in March 1989 and was a Distinguished Graduate of the Surface Warfare Steam Engineering Officer of the Watch Course in May 1989.

A plankowner, Commander Garlington's first assignment was aboard USS WASP (LHD-1) as Electronic Warfare Officer and Forward Main Space Division Officer. In May 1992 he resigned from active duty and spent eight months in the Individual Ready Reserve, followed by two years as the Manpower and Administration Division Officer for United States Atlantic Command Naval Reserve Detachment 206 in Norfolk, VA. In May 1995 Commander Garlington graduated from Old Dominion University with a Master of Science Degree in Elementary Education and was certified to teach grades 4-8 in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In September 1995 Commander Garlington was recalled to active duty in the Training and Administration of Reserves program. He reported in January 1996 as Navigator and Administration Assistant aboard USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD-44).

Returning to Newport, Rhode Island in April 1997, Commander Garlington was a Distinguished Graduate of Surface Warfare Officers Department Head class 148, and received the "Top Snipe" Award for attaining the highest grade point average in the Engineering curriculum.

He served as Chief Engineer aboard USS CHAMPION (MCM-4) from January 1998 to December 1999, and Staff Material and Logistics Officer for Amphibious Squadron ELEVEN, forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, from December 1999 to August 2001.

Commander Garlington next served as Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve Center Detroit from September 2001 to July 2003. He returned to Newport, Rhode Island a third time to attend the Naval War College, graduating in June 2004 with a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He is currently assigned to the Joint Staff, J-8 (Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment Directorate) in Washington, D.C.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle Efficiency Award, National Defense Service Medal (two awards), Southwest Asia Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (four), Navy Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO medal.

Commander William A. Weedon

Commander Weedon joined the Navy and earned his commission in 1988. He graduated from Virginia Tech and the NROTC Program with a degree in Communications.

In 1989, upon completion of the Division Officer Course at Surface Warfare Officer School, he was assigned to USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). He held jobs in Communications, Supply and Engineering Departments, and deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

His second assignment was onboard the Cruiser USS YORKTOWN (CG 48), where he served as CIC Officer and Auxiliaries & Electrical Officer until 1994. While assigned to YORKTOWN, he made deployments to the Caribbean and South America in support of Counter-narcotics operations. He then deployed to the North Atlantic and the North Sea in support of NATO operations. His last cruise was a short notice deployment in support of the Haitian crisis and Operation Restore Democracy.

Commander Weedon completed the Department Head Course at Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, Rhode Island in December 1994. He served as the Officer in Charge, Pre-commissioning Detachment Norfolk and the Operations Officer in USS CARNEY (DDG 64). Built in Bath, Maine and eventually homeported in Mayport, Florida, CARNEY deployed to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. His second department head tour was as Operations Officer for Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWENTY TWO in Norfolk, Virginia and made two deployments to the Mediterranean.

Commander Weedon accepted orders to the USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) homeported in Sasebo, Japan as the Navigator for a third department head tour. The BELLEAU WOOD conducted a hull swap with the USS ESSEX (LHD 2) halfway through his tour in Japan and he completed his tour on ESSEX.

Following his tour in Japan, Commander Weedon attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI where he earned a Masters Degree in National Security Studies and Strategic Planning.

In May 2003 he reported for duty as the Executive Officer onboard USS BRIDGE (AOE 10), during which he completed an arduous FIFTH Fleet deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Commander Weedon's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with 4 Gold Stars) and Navy Achievement Medal (with 3 Gold Stars).