Fort Schuyler Magazine

intention of ever joining the Navy coming out of high school or staying in the Navy from Maritime. But I’ve found a community that I’m very passionate about, that fits well with who I am and what I’m trying to do in the world.”

Cruise, as Platoon Leader First Class Year and as Battalion Commander of around 100 cadets in ROTC. Through his meteorological and oceanographic studies, the Maritime culture and, most especially, his three summer sea cruises, Okon describes his biggest transformation at SUNY Maritime: “I fell in love with the ocean.” His scholarship obligating him to four years’ naval service after graduation, he still envisioned becoming a broadcast meteorologist on completion of service. But during that tour, serving as first lieutenant aboard USS Ticonderoga (CG 47) and, later, as meteorologist and oceanographer on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Okon discovered his next love. “I fell in love with the Navy. I found this community that really blends the things I’m most passionate about – meteorology, oceanography and going to sea. And the character of the people that are in it is amazing. Strong, character-based leaders, highly competent. So here I am – no

“ Know yourself; know others.

Grow yourself; grow others.” — RADM John Okon ’91

Okon refined his career path, switching from surface warfare to naval oceanography, in 1995. His ensuing years as a surface warfare officer and oceanographer saw more academic study. In 2003, he earned a Master of Science degree in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography at Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He further attained a Master of Arts in National

RADM Okon, center, served as guest speaker for the August 2019 Indoctrination Ceremony. At dinner the prior evening, he is flanked to his right by two Class of ’23 MUGs, to his left by Capt. Morgan McManus ’92 and Gabriella Franco ’20.

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