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LEXINGTON, Va., Nov. 7, 2021鈥擟hristina Skaggs 鈥�22, an English major from Manassas, Virginia, has been selected for a highly competitive service assignment in the U.S. Navy. Skaggs is one of less than 10 Class of 鈥�22 Naval ROTC midshipmen across the nation selected to serve as a Surface Warfare Information Professional Officer (SWO-IP).

An especially competitive role, the typical midshipman selected for SWO-IP holds a degree in computer science or cybersecurity, making Skaggs鈥檚 selection as an English major especially notable.

When Skaggs submitted her job preferences, SWO-IP was on her list, but she saw it as a kind of filler. 鈥淚 put it on my preferences not even thinking they would select me for it,鈥� she said. She was 鈥渟hocked鈥� when her service assignment was announced this past Saturday. Afterward, Lt. Daniel Franceschina, NROTC instructor, offered encouragement and advice to Skaggs.

As she recounted, 鈥淗e told me, 鈥業 know you鈥檙e a little confused, but I think one of the reasons they picked you is that you are able to read information and [analyze] it from your practices as an English major. The [selection committee] saw that and liked it because it鈥檚 an important part of the IP community.鈥欌��

In this role, Skaggs will be reading and analyzing a large volume of complex, confidential material and then communicating it to the cybersecurity technicians under her supervision.

鈥淚t was such an honor to be selected for this, especially when I found out I was one of only [approximately] five,鈥� Skaggs said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so easy to doubt yourself; you just don鈥檛 think you鈥檙e [at that level]. Then when they pick you for a role among the best, it鈥檚 an incredible feeling鈥攖o know that all your hard work has helped you achieve your dreams and goals of serving the U.S. Navy.鈥�

After graduating and commissioning, Skaggs will serve two years as a Surface Warfare Officer. She will then attend IP School, where she will learn about cybersecurity and how to manage, organize, and maintain confidential and top-secret information. Afterwards, she will be assigned to a service area as a SWO-IP.

Skaggs is very excited to learn and 鈥渢ake on this great opportunity,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is an honor to serve my country in this selective field. I never even considered I would get it, but to know they believe I鈥檒l do a good job鈥攊t is such an honor.鈥�

Lt. Col. Michelle Iten, Ph.D.
Associate Professor - English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE