University of South Carolina NROTC

Commanding Officer

CAPT Scott Cooledge

Captain Scott Cooledge is a native of Portland, Maine, and a 1985 graduate of Maine Maritime Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nautical Science and a United States Coast Guard License of Unlimited Tonnage all Oceans. After a year of working in the merchant fleet, Captain Cooledge joined the Navy and attended Aviation Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned an Ensign in July of 1986. He attended flight training and was designated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in September 1987. After his first tour as an NFO he was selected for a pilot transition and after completing pilot training in August of 1991, was designated a Naval Aviator.

Captain Cooledge has logged over 4500 hours in Navy aircraft as both a Pilot and an NFO, qualifying as a primary evaluator and instructor in both positions in the P-3 Orion.

Captain Cooledge's multiple sea going assignments and 8 deployments include tours with VP-11, VP-16, and VP-45 and VP-46 as well as an assignment aboard the USS John F. Kennedy where he served as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer and the ship's V-2 Division Officer.

Following his Dept Head Tour, Captain Cooledge reported for his first shore duty assignment at the Naval Personnel Command in Millington, TN where he served for three years as the Aircraft Carrier Placement Officer, responsible for manning the US Navy's Aircraft Carriers. While attached to the Bureau of Personnel, he was selected for Command at Sea.

In May 2005 Captain Cooledge reported to Patrol Squadron Forty-Six, assuming command of the Gray Knights in May 2006. As the CO, he deployed for a split-site Kadena-Misawa deployment, and assumed the role as Task Group Commander (CTG 72.2/72.4) in support of OEF-P. Upon completion of his tour with the Gray Knights, he reported to Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group in Norfolk, VA as the Operations Officer (N3) for the P-3 Community.

In Feb 2007 Captain Cooledge assumed Command of a Battalion in the famed 82nd Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team. As the CO of a Joint Force Provincial Reconstruction Team, he was responsible for the Security, Reconstruction and Governance of the 5th largest Province in Afghanistan, Ghazni Province. For one year Captain Cooledge and his team operated from a remote forward operating base in Southern Afghanistan, conducting over 500 Ground Assault Convoys in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan. For his actions Captain Cooledge was awarded the Bronze Star and the Army's Combat Action Badge.

Captain Cooledge was then selected for Major Command and in June 2010 assumed command of TRAWING-4 in Corpus Christi, TX.

Captain Cooledge has earned Masters Degrees from the University San Diego School of Business and The National War College in Washington, DC. He reported to The University of South Carolina in July 2012 to command the University's ROTC unit and serve as the University's Professor of Naval Sciences.

Executive Officer

CDR Sims

CDR Sims is a 1993 graduate of Oregon State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy through Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Pensacola, Florida. Following graduation he attended Surface Warfare Officer’s School Division Officer’s Course in Newport, Rhode Island.

CDR Sims reported in March 1996 to USS California, CGN-36, in Bremerton, Washington. He reported as the Fire Control Division Officer in Combat Systems Department. His deployments onboard USS California included a deployment to the Persian Gulf for a six month deployment in support of operation Southern Watch and to South America in support of Counter Drug Operations.

His next assignment in April 1998 was to USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) in Bremerton, Washington as the Electrical Officer in Engineering Department. During this tour CDR Sims held collateral duties that included Damage Control Training Team member and Electrical Safety Officer. He completed a 6 month deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of operation Desert Fox and Southern Watch.

In October 1999, CDR Sims reported to NROTC Oregon State University as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science. During this tour he was the Junior and Senior Instructor and was responsible for instructing Naval Weapons, Navigation, Sailing, and the Naval Operations curriculum. He completed a M.A. in Public Administration during his tenure at Oregon State University.

CDR Sims reported to USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) in Mayport, Florida as a Department Head in October 2001 after a brief stop at Surface Warfare Officer’s School Department Head Course. He held the billet of Combat Systems Officer as a Department Head onboard Samuel B. Roberts. He completed a 6 month deployment to South America in support of Counter Drug Operations. His duties also included Anti-Terrorism Officer and Senior Watch Officer.

In May 2003, CDR Sims reported to Commander Destroyer Squadron Fifteen as the Operations Officer stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. He completed a 4 month deployment in Seventh Fleet onboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). At the end of his tenure at COMDESRON FIFTEEN he was sent as an Individual Augmentee to Djibouti, Africa for a 7 month tour as part of the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

CDR Sims reported to USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in Norfolk, Virginia as the Combat Information Center Officer in December 2005. He completed a 7 month deployment in support of operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom that encompassed port visits in Fifth Fleet, Sixth Fleet, and Seventh Fleet.

In December 2007, CDR Sims reported to USS George Washington (CVN-73) in Norfolk, Virginia as the Damage Control Assistant. He was onboard for a deployment that included a homeport shift to Yokosuka, Japan. CDR Sims reported to his current assignment as Executive Officer of the University of South Carolina NROTC Unit in October 2009.

CDR Sims' personal awards include the Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards) and Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).