I am confident that the newly commissioned ensigns from Marquette will benefit from membership in the Institute,” Dave says.  “As these young men and women begin their naval careers, I want them to have the same advantages that USNI membership brought me.  The Institute is the only true independent forum for naval officers and others to share their views and Proceedings is a powerful tool.  The huge bonus is that at the same time we help these individuals, we also benefit Marquette NROTC.  I and my fellow sponsors hope to establish ties with the Class of 2013 so we can follow their careers and they can tell us the real scoop.  I will never forget, a few months after the Gulf of Tonkin events of August 1964, I had a visit from one of my mids who, shortly after his commissioning, became radio officer in the USS Picking (DD-685).  The Picking had been diverted to escort duty off Vietnam after the Tonkin incident.  His account of events was fascinating.