In December, around the time of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Ricordia reporter Mairead McGill interviewed Merion alumna Savanna Urban. Savanna went through the ROTC program at Fordham University and currently serves in the Navy as a Strike Officer on the USS Jason Durham. 

Question 1: Why did you decide to join the military, and why the Navy?

Savanna says that growing up with her Grandfather greatly influenced her to join the military. He was a Quartermaster in the Navy and inspired her. She joined military programs growing up, and ultimately decided to do ROTC, which is Recruit Officer Training Corps. She choseto join the Navy over other branches because she’s always been drawn towards the sea and wanted to explore the world. Being on a boat and being able to travel to different ports all over the world greatly appealed to her. She wanted something that was challenging and diverse, and would give her world experience, and she has found that in the Navy. 

Question 2: How did you imagine military life before joining, and how have your perceptions changed? 

Before military life, Savanna didn’t know what to expect out of military life or what it would be like to be in a fleet. After joining, she realized that she is able to do more things than she once thought herself able to do. She says that 90% of her life is her job, and she’s truly dedicated her life to the military. She says it’s hard to be away from her family, but how she’s made her own family with people on her ship. 

Question 3: What was ROTC like?

ROTC is a program through which the military assists college students in return for them serving in the military after graduation. Savanna’s ROTC Program at Fordham University in New York had multiple schools involved in it. In her freshman year of college, she went through a new student orientation with other Navy hopefuls, and she said that the program showed her her limits, how to push herself, and what she was truly capable of. She describes ROTC as a leadership and learning process to prepare students for the military. 

Question 4: Can you describe your current role in the Navy and your day-to-day responsibilities?

Currently, Savanna, a strike officer, is stationed on the USS Jason Dunham, who’s home port is Mayport, Florida, but she is currently deployed in an undisclosed location. She’s in the combat missiles division and in charge of the ship’s vertical launching system. The missiles she manages are ones that are sent off the ship and onto land. She’s also in charge of leading 12 sailors, and training younger officers. Another one of her responsibilities is to stand watch on the bridge- for 6 hours at a time! Savanna also says that her responsibilities change depending on where she’s stationed. When she’s stationed “stateside” (off the coast of the U.S.) she does more administrative work than when she’s stationed overseas. 

Question 6: How do you balance your job and keeping in touch with your family while you’re deployed?

Savanna says that while she was stationed in Florida, it was relatively easy to see her family and friends, through phone calls, visits, and facetime calls. When she’s deployed, however, it’s much harder to keep in touch. There are times when the crew aren’t allowed to contact anybody, and phone calls are rare. She also says her fleet does all that they can to keep up people’s morale, and emails and letters are the main forms of communication. However, Savanna says that this is a sacrifice you have to make. 

Question 7: How did Merion prepare you for your current role?

Savanna says that a big part of what Merion taught her is women’s leadership. After Merion she was drawn to leadership roles, and always remembered that she came from a place where she was surrounded by powerful women. In the military, she’s surrounded by men, but says that going to Merion made her a stronger and more powerful woman, instilled leadership in her, and made her not likely to back down easily. 

Question 8: What are some unique challenges you face as a woman in the military? 

Savanna says that the Navy has done a really good job at incorporating women, and giving them what they need to be successful. She focuses on showing people that she is strong and can do anything that men can do.

Question 9: What’s your favorite part about your job?

Her favorite part about her job is being able to lead her division and get to know all the members of the division and help them in their career. Savanna credits her success to them, because she wouldn’t be a successful officer without the sailors she oversees. She also talked about her division’s Chief Petty Officer (CPO). Savanna talked about how her CPO has been her role model and helped her so much in her career. Another part she loves about her job is being able to see the world. So far, she’s seen places like Norway, Spain, and Russia. 

Question 10: Do you have any memorable experiences from your time in the military so far?

One big day that stands out in Savanna’s mind is the day she was deployed and left Florida. She said it was one of the hardest days of her life, having to say goodbye to her family, especially her mom. She also said it was the biggest reality check she’s ever gotten, because although Savanna is confident she’ll make it home, there’s always a chance she won’t. Savanna said although it was scary, she said it was rewarding to be deployed, because all the sailors on her ship have worked hard to make it to this point. 

Question 11: What would you say to people considering ROTC/joining the military?

Savanna says that you should 100% do it, and put everything you have into it. She doesn’t regret anything, because being in the military has made her stronger and prepared for anything. She says it’s one of the most rewarding things, and she gets to travel the world. It may be a challenge, but it’s a challenge that anybody can face, and absolutely rewarding in the end.