Regiment Commander & Staff announced
Pictured left to right Alex Oi (BC), Steven Smiley (BC), Evan Schlifstein (Regimental Commander), Valentina Galliano (COS), and Gianni De Felice (BC) Regiment.
It is with great pleasure that we introduce the Regimental Leadership Staff for the 1st semester of the 2018-19 school year:
- Regimental Commander – Evan Schlifstein
- Battalion Commander – Alex Oi
- Battalion Commander – Steven Smile
- Battalion Commander – Gianni De Felice
- Chief of Staff – Valentina Galliano
They have proven themselves through their commitment to naval science, leadership, academics, and their desire to improve the Farragut corps of cadets. We look forward to seeing what they’ll accomplish!
View pictures of the Final Parade and Change of Command Ceremony
Change of Command Ceremony for the upcoming 2018-19 school year held on Friday, May 18, 2018.
An Interview with 2017-18 Regimental Commander Evan Schlifstein ‘19
Evan has attended Farragut since the 4th grade and is a former day student from St. Petersburg who has moved onto campus this past year as a boarder since earning his recent leadership roles.
What does this leadership role mean to you?
It means a lot. I’ve been here since 4th grade and I’ve always looked up to the cadets in leadership. Now that I’m Regimental Commander, I feel that I, along with the staff and the naval science department, will continue to move Farragut forward. This past year I was Charlie Battalion Executive Officer and lived as a 5-day boarder. I was responsible for cadets in the dormitory and that the cadets were wearing the uniform properly and behaving accordingly during formations. As RC I will be a 7-day boarder and will be responsible for the cadets also over the weekends. I think it’s important for me to be here to be a role model and ensure everyone is doing what they should be.
What do you hope to accomplish this upcoming year?
I hope to take a lot of the weight off of the naval science department and instead put it onto the regimental staff’s shoulders. The staff did that this year and we learned our limitations, so I hope to work around those limitations and hopefully put more responsibility on the cadets.
How did you feel when you found out you would be the new Regiment Commander?
It was definitely inspiring. It showed me that I will be able to make a change and lead people towards change and what we see best fit for the regiment. I was surprised that the leaders received so much applause because we often have to be tough with our peers when we have a leadership role. I did feel supported.
Your brother Ian Schlifstein ‘15 was the Regiment Commander for the 2014-15 school year. How does it feel to continue that legacy?
I have seen the dedication it takes. I have had so many different experiences at Farragut, and I believe I can lead the regiment in the right direction.
How has your time at Farragut prepared you for this leadership role?
I’ve watched other Battalion Commanders and Regimental Commanders’ leadership styles. I’ve also worked my way up through the leadership ranks from being just a part of the company to a squad leader, a company chief and finally to a company commander. I’ve been almost every position on the regiment except for the boxed staff.
What are your thoughts on two regiment with new leaders per semester?
This will provide more opportunities not just for everyone else that wants to step into the leadership, but also for me because I will be able to experience another type of leadership role after I step down from RC.
What is your goal for college and for a career?
I hope to earn an ROTC scholarship or possibly attend the Naval Academy. I ultimately want to enter the medical field in the Navy as a doctor, and then once I retire from the Navy become a private practice doctor. I’m interested in being an anesthesiologist, like my father, or an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) doctor. I know that this is a very difficult path, but I feel that Farragut has given me the tools I need to succeed.
An Interview with 2017-18 Regimental Commander George Hamilton ‘18
George has attended Farragut since the 6th grade and is a 7-day boarder from California
What words of advice would you give Evan as you complete the Change of Command?
Sometimes it’s hard to be the man in the arena. Remember you chose to be it and what you’re doing is not about yourself, it’s about a great cause – the cause of Farragut. There’s no personal glory, but there’s glory that can be obtained for the school. It’s about serving people. In the beginning, I was nervous, but you will lose the stage fright.
What are your thoughts on two regiment with new leaders per semester?
I think it’s an amazing opportunity. Evan will experience what it’s like to be first in charge and then he can take a step back and watch from a distance. I think by the end of next year, when he’s giving this same advice it will give him a great outlook because he will know what it is like to be first and then to be second. That together, I can imagine, are two completely different experiences. It’s great to give other people the opportunity to lead. I believe that Evan is the man to do it and I trust naval science that Evan’s successor will be just as good as he will be. I think you’ll continue to see more improvements throughout Farragut and the regiment.
How did being the Regiment Commander impact you as a person and as a leader for your future?
I think you find out who your friends and your adversaries are quite quickly. It allows you to differentiate being someone’s friend and being their leader regiment. The job as RC is not to befriend the cadets but to lead the cadets. It’s a great base for becoming a public servant because you serve others. It also helps you improve your public speaking, writing, and interview skills.
What was your biggest accomplishment this year as Regimental Commander?
I believe I am leaving behind an improved corps of regiment cadets with a more professional personal appearance and an improved quality of officers with higher ambitions for next year.
What is your goal for college and for a career?
I am attending Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and will be studying Classical Civilization because I have a great interest in Greek and Roman history and the way it provided a basis for the foundation of the U.S. government. Beyond college, I plan to serve in the prep school and then in public service as a state official.
