United States Naval Academy Sixth Battalion

Happy Firstie Friday Sixth Batt!
This Firstie Friday we have your Batt PAO… me, Faith Bonilla! Here are a couple of fun facts about me:
Billets: Batt PAO, Company Adjutant
ECAs/Clubs: I am a Diversity Peer Educator, in the Halloween Concert, and the Winter Musical President
Fun Facts:
-I grew up in an Army family
-I have gone to 11 different schools since kindergarten. Hometown: Bettendorf. Iowa hobbies: Art and Photography Major: Honor English
Company: 29
Service Assignment: Surface Warfare

It has been an honor serving as ya’ll’s PAO this semester 6th Batt! As always keep smiling sixth batt:) and Go Navy, Beat Army!

T-Minus 30 minutes till 8th wing players👀 an event you don’t want to miss! Come one come all to the show!

Congratulations Class of ‘23 on your Service Assignments!
———————————
This past Thursday our 6th Battalion Firsties found out what service community they would be joining after graduation. For many members of the Class of ‘23 this was a major moment they have been waiting for since the start of their academy journey. Once again Congrats ‘23! You made it!

Goooood Evening Sixth Batt! This Firstie Friday we have your Battalion Conduct Officer Dawson Waage!!! Here are a couple facts about Dawson:

Billets: Batt conduct/ squad leader
Sports/ ECAs: Navy Swim team
Fun Fact: He can wiggle his ears
Hobbies: Lifting and Video Games
Major: Political science and Spanish minor
Company: 29
Say hi to Dawson in 8th wing if you see him! Keep smiling Sixth Batt:)

Happy Veteran’s Day and Firstie Friday 6th batt! Today’s Firstie Friday we have Colton Higgins for 27th company and your Batt Academics Officer! Here are a couple facts about Colton:

Billets: squad leader and batt/27th company academics.
Fun facts:
1. Colton has his students pilots license
2. He can speak Japanese
3. He is a football player

Hobbies: working out and fishing.

Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Major: political science

Desired Service Selection: navy pilot

Keep Smiling Sixth Batt:)

Big Smiles for the Long weekend 6th Batt! Stay safe and Beat Notre Dame!
📸:1/C Faith Bonilla

On this edition of Warrior Wednesday we have the 29th Company Officer LT Catina! LT Catina is a USNA class of 16 Grad. He graduated USNA with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. Post graduation, LT commissioned as a Submariner and attended the
Naval PostGraduate School where he received a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. During his time at USNA LT Catina was a proud member of the Naval Academy Drum & Bugle Corp for all four years! He was also very involved in his academic research as a student in the Aero Department as well. For ECAs, LT Catina was involved in the Dolphin Club, VT-NA, and the American Nuclear Society. Some of LT Catina’s hobbies include Marathon Training and Racing, Golf, and Cooking. As a submariner LT Catina was stationed on USS Asheville (SSN 758) in Guam for three years. During that time, he did three deployments: two WESTPAC and one EASTPAC. He greatly enjoyed the incredible sailors of the submarine community and the community’s unique mission set. LT Catina grew up in Stroudsburg, PA (a town about 50 miles west of NYC) with his mom (an attorney), dad (retired State Police Detective) and younger sister (now a recruiter in Atlanta, GA for Bain Consulting). When asked to provide a fun fact about him self LT Catina responded by saying “LT Catina does not have fun; he is only obsessed with beating China and Russia.” Lastly, LT Catina’s
favorite part of being a CO is interacting with all of the fantastic midshipmen he sees on the day-to-day. These interactions have been both professionally and personally rewarding for him and are certainly the highlight of this position. Keep Smiling 6th Batt!

On this fine evening of Firstie Friday we have 1/C Eloisa Chubb your Batt SAPR CMEO GUIDE! Here is some facts about Eloisa!
Billets:
29th company squad leader and Batt SAPR/CMEO GUIDE.

Fun facts:
1. Won $105 in an Oklahoma City Casino once
2.Her favorite artists are the neighborhood and Lana del ray

Hobbies:
pickle ball, thrifting, and going to museums
Company: 29
Major: history
Desired Service selection: NFO
Hometown: Leonardtown, MD
Say hi to Eloisa if you see her! Happy Friday 6th Batt and keep smilin!

Happy Warrior Wednesday 6th Batt! This weeks warrior is the 30th Company Officer LT Albia! Here are a couple of facts about LT Albia:
Undergrad education and other post undergrad educational experiences: The College of Charleston 2010; B.A. in Chemistry, B.A. in Spanish; semester abroad in Santiago de Chile (Fall 2008).
College Sports/ Activities: Intramural Basketball, Flag Football
Hobbies: Basketball, Cooking, and Building Legos with his kids
Favorite aspect of his job and a little background on his experience in the fleet: LT Albia is a SWO by trade; he was an Auxiliaries (A-Gang) DIVO onboard USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17), Fire Control Officer onboard USS ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51); his favorite aspect of his job is is the potential for daily positive impact with junior Sailors, Senior Enlisted, and the Wardroom.
Family background: LT Albia has a Son, Aedan (10) and Daughter, Calynn (6); Dogs- Panda Bear (PB) (13), and Adobo (11)

Fun Facts: Prior to joining the Navy, LT Albia spent 15 years in the food and beverage industry (most recently as a bartender). His father swore him into the Navy in the hospital room that Calynn was born 10 days before he left for Officer Candidate School. His mother administered the Oath of Office at his commissioning.

What he loves about being a CO/SEL? LT Albia loves the camaraderie amongst the staff; being present for the moment when the lightbulbs turn on, especially in a moment of self-discovery or application to the Fleet.
Other facts LT Albia would like the battalion to know about him: He commissioned in March 2016; He was the Command Basketball Representative for USS SAN ANTONIO (Norfolk Surface Line Week Champions 2017) and USS ARLEIGH BURKE; he has had his geo-bachelor status since 2016.

Goood Evening 6th Batt this Firstie Friday we have your Battalion Protocol Officer Christopher Bonham! On the yard Christopher is apart of OCF and the club water polo team. He is from Lemoore, CA and a proud member of 26th company. He is majoring in ocean engineering and hopes to service select METOC. Some fun facts about Christopher are that thanks to the foundation program he has 2 highschool diplomas, he played 6 different sports growing up, and he and his friend celebrated his friend’s 15th birthday by swimming from Alcatraz to the shore. Lastly, Christopher’s hobbies include playing pick up games of any sport, and video games! Have a great weekend 6th batt and keep smiling :)

On this very late Firstie Friday we have your Batallion Honor Advisor Will Megginson!!! Will is a proud member of and is involved in , VT-NA, , and is apart of the reigning Brigade Champion intramural dodgeball team. Some fun facts about will are: he has been 165 feet deep on SCUBA, his capstone is , and he has gone to Disney World to shelter from a hurricane. Will’s hobbies include Flight Simulators and 3D Printing. He is from Winter Park, FL and majors in
Aerospace Engineering (Astro). Lastly Will’s desired service selection is Naval Flight Officer! Good luck on the PRT Sixth Batt!!!

On our very first Warrior Wednesday of the Year we have our very own 6th Battalion Officer CDR Simpson! Commander Simpson is a USNA 2001 Graduate and was a member of 15th company her plebe year and in 30th company the rest of her academy experience. CDR Simpson was a Chemistry Major as a midshipman and an intramural warrior!!!!She received her Graduate degree from Old Dominion University in Engineering Management. In her free time she likes to dance, take exercise classes (ZUMBA, Yoga, HIIT) and laugh. Her favorite aspect of her job as a Surface Warfare Officer in the fleet is interacting with Sailors/Marines. Before she came to the academy to be the 6th Battalion Officer CDR Simpson served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the USS CARTER HALL (L*D 50). During her Commanding Officer tour she deployed to 6th/5th Fleet with 24 MEU and participated in the evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan. CDR Simpson is married to her husband Byron (a DoD civilian) with two kids; their son Byron is 6 (1st grade) and their daughter Serenity is 4 (pre-K). Some fun facts about CDR Simpson is that she met my husband dancing, USS CARTER HALL was her first ship in the Navy and was also the ship where she recently had command. Overall CDR Simpson is excited about interacting with the Brigade in meaningful ways. Welcome to 6th Batt Ma’am!

6th Batt you know what day it is… Firstie Friday!!! This Friday we have your Battalion 1st LT Lance Christopher! Lance is a proud member of 29th company, a Varsity Diver for Navy, and the Treasurer of the American Society of Civil Engineers on the yard. Three fun facts about Lance are:
1. He played bass for a blink 182 cover band called squint 183
2. His two favorite bands to listen to are Futurebirds and Her’s
3. He was a trampolinist before being recruited to dive for Navy
Lance’s Hobbies include: pickle ball and surfing. Lance is originally from
Lambertville, NJ and is an Ocean Engineering major! Lastly Lance early selected submarines! Have a great weekend, beat Air Force and keep smiling sixth battalion:)

Early-Selected Submarines

This weeks Firstie Friday is your Battalion Adjutant Nataline Ziola!
Beyond being your Batt Adj Nataline is a company SHAPE rep and the Navy Spirit PMO. On the yard she is involved in SHAPE, Navy Cheer, and the Vietnamese Student Association
In her free time Nataline likes running and reading. Nataline is from Santa Clarita, California
and an Oceanography major. A fun fact about Nataline is that her cousin is a Boats instructor at the Academy. Lastly, Nataline hopes to service select Navy Pilot! Keep Smilin’ Sixth Batt and have a great weekend!

On this Firstie Friday evening we have our Battalion Train-O 1/C Julia Matias!!! Julia is from 28th company and also serves as a shape guide. Some of her hobbies include spending time outdoors, relaxing on the beach, and reading. Some fun facts about Julia are that she has lived in every wing in bancroft, has two pet ducks, and most importantly her favorite food is pickles! Julia is a quantitative economics major and hopes to service select marine air! Happy Friday 6th Battalion:)

Never Forget 9/11/2001
____________________________
I hope you took the time to remember those who were lost on this day 21 years ago. Last Friday, many members of the Battalion participated in a stair run, running a total of 110 flights to honor the heroic actions of first responders at World Trade Center on September 11th. Never Forget, 6th Battalion.

Hey Look Mom I Made it… to 2/C year!
_______________________
Our 6th Battalion 2/C are on day 2 of 2/C parents weekend and enjoying every minute of it! This is the first time class of 2024 has been able to show their parents around the yard since COVID restrictions prevented their class from having Plebes Parents Weekend. Enjoy your time Class of 2024 6th Battalion Mids and Families!

Okay Sixth Batt Now Let’s Get in Formation!
_______________________

Sixth Battalion is taking on parade season with style and has now completed their second parade of the fall season. Yesterday, Sixth Battalion was able to put on a great performance for the parents and family visiting for 2/C parents weekend. Way to go Sixth Battalion!
📸: MIDN 1/C Faith Bonilla

This weeks Firstie Friday is our Battalion Operations Officer Connor Stibolt!!! Connor is a proud member of 27th company (where he also serves as the 1-2 squad leader) and a Cyber Operations Major. Connor is from Pensacola, FL and is a Navy Pilot service selection hopeful. Three fun facts about Connor are that he was born on Friday the 13th, has mad bowling skills, and that he is a twin. Connor’s hobbies are Flying, weightlifting, golf, along with many other panhandle shenanigans. On the yard you can find Connor on the Cycling team, VTNA, or K**A. Be sure to say hi to Connor if you see him in the batt!

Happy Friday Sixth Batt! This weeks Firstie Friday is your Batt XO… Josh Douberly!!!
Josh is from 27th company and majoring in Operations Research. Josh’s hometown is Jacksonville, Florida. At the Academy he is an undergraduate coach for the mens swim team and a 27th CO intramural volleyball warrior. A few fun facts about Josh are that he can wiggle ears independently, wants to be alive when the Jaguars win the Super Bowl, and has a brother in 8th company. Lastly Josh is hoping to service select NFO! Happy Friday everyone!!!

For our First Firstie Friday, meet your battalion commander Jess Leplante! —————————————-Jess is from Troy, NY and known for being an avid shelf organizer, unofficial yoga instructor, a proud member of 29 company and a master at being the 1st to sign taps. Beyond being your batt commander Jess is an Ocean Engineering Major, SAPR/CEMO guide, and a varsity water polo manager. In her free time Jess likes biking, hiking or anything outdoors to include long walks on the beach, sunsets, and shell hunting. Jess loves surfing but the surf doesn’t necessarily love her… (iykyk). Lastly Jess hopes to service select Naval Aviation. Be sure to say hi to Jess in the hall if you see her around the batt! Happy Friday:)

This past weekend before our
2/C in 6th Batt took on the academic year they made a major commitment in signing their 2/7s. Our 2/C signing is a major step towards graduation and each and everyone of them becoming a commissioned officer. Congratulations class of 2024!!!

Thanksgiving may have been last week but it’s never too late (or too early if you want to think about the long run) to give thanks for this rare opportunity to spend the holidays with our second family. 6th Battalion took full advantage of this time to enjoy this long weekend and relax before finals!

Last night, 6th Battalion had a closing ceremony for Su***de Awareness month by holding a candlelight vigil. With guest speaker Major Emison in attendance, members of 6th Batt has the opportunity to hear about experiences of dealing with su***de and leading people through the transition from combat to home life. Reach out to your peer advisors, friends, company-mates, family, leadership, or just someone you feel comfortable around. Everyone matters.

Last weekend, Sixth Battalion enjoyed some “liquid sunshine” while conducting a modified 9/11 stair run at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Each company ran in separate waves in order to remain socially distanced. The event consisted of 55 laps through the steps of the stadium. Although the run did not take place on the day of 9/11, the purpose behind the event still maintained its value. Once a year, September 11 is dedicated to our fallen heroes. However, their service and sacrifices are honored every single day.

Today’s Firstie Friday hails from 30th Company! MIDN 1/C Emily Craig is from Baltimore, Maryland. She is 30th Company’s PMO for this semester! Emily is on the Women’s Track and Field/ Cross Country team. For her service selection, she aspires to be a SWO mama. Emily’s favorite experience from the Academy was being able to participate in SAWS. SAWS is the southern Apellation Wilderness Stewards, in which you hike, camp, and do many other cool things in the woods.

Last weekend, Navy Women’s Soccer played against Pitt and made them really work for it! Although it was a close game (0-1 Pitt) 6th Batt still put work in and gave them a run for their money. Good job to 2/C Carolyn Many ( #10) and 4/C Sophie Ewing ( #28) from 27th Company, 4/C Katie Herrmann ( #7) from 28th Company, and 4/C Kat Healey ( #27) from 26th Company. Nice work ladies, roll goats!
Photo Credits:

is 1/C Michael Kacergis of the 28th Company! 1/C Kacergis is from Malvern, PA and is an Operations Research major. He is a member of the Men’s Varsity Squash team and is a fan of the Yoga Club. His favorite book is Beneath a Scarlet Sky and he is one of five brothers to attend USNA. Hooyah 1/C Kacergis!
•
•
•

is 1/C Gunnar Jongebloed of the 29th Company from Menlo Park, CA! He is an Aerospace Engineering major and participated in the Combat Arms Team and Intercollegiate Flight Team. 1/C Jongebloed likes mountain biking, running, and enjoying the positive energy of his company mates. He is headed to flight school in October. Hooyah 1/C Jongebloed!
•
•
•

is 1/C Aidan Reilly of the 26th Company! A SWO select, 1/C Reilly is from South Bend, IN and played hockey at the Academy all four years. He is a History major and once saw Lionel Messi score a hat-trick. Hooyah 1/C Reilly!
•
•
•

Our second is 1/C Connor Prince, a Marine Aviation select from Safety Harbor, FL of the 27th Company! 1/C Prince is a Ocean Engineering Major who wrestled at the Academy. He has a twin brother who is also graduating with the Class of 2020. Oorah 1/C Prince!
•
•
•

Our first is 1/C Kelvin Taylor, a Marine Aviation select from Queen Creek, AZ of the 29th Company. 1/C Taylor is a Political Science Honors major and an intramural warrior. He participated in Mids for Kids and was a part of the Semper Fi Society Staff. 1/C Taylor’s favorite leadership position at the Academy was Training Officer and he once carved a ukulele! 1/C Taylor hopes to fly helicopters for the Marine Corps. Oorah 1/C Taylor!
•
•
•

This week’s is 1/C Jordan Sun of the 27th Company. From Honolulu, HI, 1/C Sun served as the Battalion Academics Officer last semester, and service selected Navy Pilot. He is an Honors Oceanography major, and is the Men’s Glee Club Tenor II Section Leader, and a member of the 27th Company Breakfast Club. He chased hurricanes with the TROPIC Internship and has flown in three Major Hurricanes: Hurricanes Hector, Florence, and Dorian. Hooyah 1/C Sun!
•
•
•

Tonight’s goes out to 1/C Molly Hannan of the 28th Company! 1/C Hannan hails from Fairfax, VA and serves as the 28th Company XO. She is a Political Science (Honors) major with a minor in German, and participated in 28th Company Intramural Volleyball (Brigade Champions Fall 2018) and 28th Company Intramural Wallyball (undefeated). 1/C Hannan likes to spend her free time running and hiking with friends, and her guilty pleasure is doing the New York Times crossword!
•
•
•

Today’s is 1/C Maddie O’Neil of the 27th Company. A SWO EDO select from Mechanicsburg, PA, she is an Ocean Engineering major and serves as 27th Company’s Adjutant. She is part of the Club Marathon Team, and loves reading, baking, and being with friends and family. Hooyah 1/C O’Neil!
•
•
•

Today’s is 1/C Anmol Walha from the 30th Company. A pilot select, 1/C Walha hails from Severna Park, MD, is a Robotics and Control Engineering major. She serves as the 6th Battalion Physical Mission Officer and runs with the Club Marathon team. Over Spring Break of 2/C year, she ran the Barcelona Marathon! Hooyah 1/C Walha!
•
•
•

Tonight’s is SWO select 1/C Dillon Lahey of the 28th Company! 1/C Lahey is from Rye, NY and is a Quantitative Economics major. He is the president of the Yoga Club and a manager for the Women’s Soccer Team. He is also a heavy metal karaoke enthusiast. Hooyah 1/C Lahey!
•
•
•

Good evening 6th Batt! We hope everyone is staying healthy wherever home is! We want to introduce you to your 2nd Regiment Commander from 6th Battalion, 1/C Nolan Kreipe from Carlinville, Illinois. 1/C Kreipe been selected to join the submarine community after graduation. He is a Mathematics with Economics major and SHAPE peer educator. Among his peers he is known for his dive qualification, dance moves, and being a fantasy football phenom. He also serves as an intramural soccer coach. 1/C Kreipe misses all of the 27th Company Ducks and spending mornings in King Hall with the 27th Company Breakfast Club.
•
•
•