UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Capt. Scott Young will act as a liaison to the University for the Penn State Air Force, Army and Naval ROTC branches following his recent appointment as joint service coordinator.
Young, an alumnus of the University and its Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, will serve as coordinator in conjunction with his other posts.
Since June 2015, Young has been both the commanding officer of Penn State Naval ROTC and professor of naval science.
“Right now, for me it’s just about giving back,” Young said of his new position. “I’ve had a 25-year career as a naval officer, so now it’s about training our new officers.”
As the joint service coordinator, Young will sit on the University Faculty Senate and Undergraduate Education Council.
With many local veterans often seeking out Penn State ROTC resources, Young will also collaborate with Col. Eugene McFeely, the first senior director for Veterans Affairs and Services, who was appointed in October. McFeely served as Penn State ROTC joint service coordinator prior to Young’s appointment.
Other responsibilities for Young include continuing to foster relationships with Penn State Athletics, particularly as a surge of teams host military and veteran appreciation games.
“I am ensuring that the ROTC has a voice, but it’s not a difficult challenge because of the amount of support that we get from the University,” Young said.
“This University and State College have been the most welcoming community that I have ever experienced in my career,” he added.
Nevertheless, conveying the unique needs of ROTC remains a key priority.
The students training to become officers, for example, face degree requirements beyond their academic majors. Oftentimes, they’ll enroll in between 15 to 20 credits of ROTC study, completing requirements for a military studies minor.
“They are engaged in quite a bit, and it’s challenging for them in addition to being a student,” Young said.
Previously, Young was a professor of naval engineering and leadership and management at Cornell University’s Naval ROTC. There, he was also the recruiting officer and nuclear power officer.
Young earned a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from Penn State and a master’s degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell.
To learn more about Penn State ROTC’s specific branches, visit airforce.psu.edu, army.psu.edu and nrotc.psu.edu. For an overview of Penn State ROTC, visit undergrad.psu.edu/rotc.html.
ROTC is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education, the academic administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.