Lieutenant Commander Robert Strange
Senior Naval Science Instructor
Lieutenant Commander Robert A. Strange is a native of Orlando, Florida, and a 1984 graduate of William R. Boone High School. He is graduate of Troy University with a Bachelor Science in Resource Management. He enlisted in the US Navy on September 30, 1987 through the Naval Aviation Cadet program and attended Aviation Officer Candidate School from August to December 1988. He transferred to VT-3 at NAS Whiting Field to begin Primary Flight Training in the T-34C. After completion of Intermediate Flight Training he was transferred to South Whiting Field and began advanced helicopter training in the TH-57B/C. On June 12, 1990 upon completion of his last flight he was commissioned and Ensign and earned his Naval Aviator “Wings of Gold” at NAS Whiting Field on June 22, 1990. After getting married on July 28, 1990 he transferred to HS-1 in Jacksonville, FL and began the training in the SH-3H Sea King. In February 1991, he reported to HS-9 “Sea Griffins” in Jacksonville, FL and deployed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and USS Saratoga (CV-60) in support of Operations Desert Storm, Provide Comfort and Provide Promise.
Following HS-9, LCDR Strange reported to the HT-8 for duty as a Flight Instructor at NAS Whiting Field. He was recognized as the Flight Instructor of the Year for 1994. He was selected by Commander Naval Air Training Wing FIVE for duty as a Flight Instructor at the TH-57 Helicopter Instructor Training Unit. In 1997, he departed active duty and joined the Naval Reserves. In 1999, LCDR Strange began drilling with the US Naval Reserve Center in Orlando, FL. In March 2000 he was assigned to the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) at NS Mayport, FL. In November 2000 he transitioned to the SH-60F at HS-10 in San Diego and then moved on to HS-75 where he completed numerous Detachments onboard multiple aircraft carriers. After 9/11, LCDR Strange reported back to active duty and Destroyer Squadron TWO-SIX onboard the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) for duty as DESRON Air Operations Officer. He again deployed to the Arabian Gulf, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In March 2003 he reported to Monterey, CA for Aviation Safety School. He subsequently reported to NAS Jacksonville, FL in 2004 as the Aviation Safety Officer. In 2007, he reported to USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75) for duty as Asst. Air Operations Officer deploying in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In July 2009, he reported back to NAS Jacksonville, FL, as the Assistant Air Operations Officer and Aviation Safety Officer.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), as well as numerous unit, campaign and service awards.
LCDR Strange retired from active service in 2012 and taught as the Senior Naval Science Instructor at Freedom High School until 2017. From 2017 to the present LCDR Strange has been the Navy JROTC Senior Naval Science Instructor at Boone HS.
Senior Chief Darrick L. Wade was born and raised in Pell City, AL, and graduated from Pell City High School in May 1989. Senior Chief Wade enlisted in the United States Navy 15 August 1989 and attended recruit training in Great Lakes, IL.
After completing "Airmen" apprenticeship training in Great Lakes, IL, he transferred to his first command, HM-15 onboard Naval Air Station Alameda, CA. During his tour, he went on Temporary Assigned Duty to Aviation Ordnance "A" School in Millington, TN. Upon completion of school, he was advanced to Third Class Petty Officer and returned to HM-15. After a four year tour, Petty Officer Wade received orders to NAS Alameda, assigned as the Fleet Optical Scanning and Marking System Administrator. It was here where he advanced to Petty Officer Second Class. Next, Petty Officer Wade received orders to VFA-115 onboard NAS Lemoore, CA, where he advanced to Petty Officer First Class and appointed as Configurations Leading Petty Officer. This assignment catapulted his career and helped him achieve Sailor of the Year and the Aviation Ordnanceman of the Year nomination. Petty Officer Wade then transferred to Naval Aviation Maintenance Training Unit Lemoore, CA, for instructor duty and was advanced to Chief Petty Officer in 2001. Next, Chief Wade joined the staff of Carrier Air Wing Fourteen Lemoore, CA, where he was the Assistant Weapons Officer and Non-combat Expenditure Allocation manager for the Air Wing. Those assignments aided in his advancement to Senior Chief Petty Officer. Senior Chief Wade's last duty assignment was to NAS Lemoore, CA, as the Command Equal Opportunity Advisor. There Senior Chief Wade conducted EO training, climate surveys, and investigations involving EO/EEO for the base. Senior Chief Wade capped off his career by being selected as NAS Lemoore Command Senior Chief. He filled a vital position and ensured continuity of office maintaining the health and welfare for the base and all of its tenants. Senior Chief Wade made his transition to the Fleet Reserve on 30 November 2010.
Senior Chief Wade served as a Naval Science Instructor (NSI) at Winter Park High School Navy Junior ROTC in Jan 2011 and served at WPHS until Jun 2019. He served as an NSI one semester at Cypress Creek High School Navy Junior ROTC Fall of 2019. He joined the "Braves" of William R. Boone High School Navy Junior ROTC in Jan 2020, where is he is currently serving.
Senior Chief Wade attended the following: Equal Opportunity Advisor Program, Senior Enlisted Aviation Maintenance System course, F-18A/D armament course, Command Managed Equal Opportunity course, Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor course, ADAMS Facilitators course, Substance Abuse Control Officer course (USMC), Basic Instructor Training course, Command Fitness Leader course, Ammunition Accounting course, Fleet Optical Scanning and Marking Systems course.
Senior Chief Wade has a bachelor's degree from Columbia College in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Certification in Human Resources.
Senior Chief Wade qualifications include Aviation Warfare Specialist, Surface Warfare Specialist, and Master Training Specialist. His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Coast Guard Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy "E" Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon, Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.
Petty Officer First Class (RET) Vleet C. Roberts II a native of Orlando, Florida, has been a member of the Boone NJROTC Team since October 2016. An Air Traffic Controller for 20 years his tour of duty locations include Hawaii, California and, Florida. He served aboard the USS Tarawa, out of San Diego California, deploying throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Petty Officer Roberts attended Dr. Phillips and Oak Ridge High schools as a student. Graduate of University of Oklahoma, he is an energetic and engaging faculty member and instructor. He enjoys spending time with family and helping in the community with his wife Felicia and daughter Kale’a.