Above: Captain Diehl of Cornell's ROTC navy program
The following is a transcribed interview between The Cornell Review and Captain Erich Diehl of Cornell’s naval ROTC program.
What made you choose to join the military, and why the Navy in particular?
I come from a family of military service. Both grandfathers served in WWII as a Navy Seabee [Construction Battalion] and Army infantry. My father served in the President’s Own [United States Marine Corps Band]. He raised me to love our country. I chose to attend VMI [Virginia Military Institute] over the academies as a means to fulfill my passion to serve, pursue a civil engineering degree and a chance to play football. Initially, I planned to pursue a commission in the Marine Corps, but soon realized my 290-lb football frame although great on the football field, wasn’t so good for long runs and hikes. During my junior year, I switched to Navy option and have never looked back or regretted my decision. In the Navy, I have served on ships for the majority of my career and then in command of several expeditionary units [Navy Expeditionary Combat Command].
What made you decide to enter the Surface Warfare [ship-borne] community?
As a young man, I grew up watching John Wayne war movies and seeing warship silhouettes. I really thought that DDG’s [guided-missile destroyers] were the best ships in the fleet. Upon graduation from VMI, I was fortunate to serve in USS CHARLES F ADAMS (DDG 2) in Mayport, FL [Naval Station Mayport]. ADAMS was the lead ship in the destroyer class and my first division officer tour was as the Damage Control Officer. It was a great opportunity to get my top choice of ship and homeport to start my career at sea.
You were a football player at VMI and a sprint football coach at Cornell. What are the advantages and challenges faced by student athletes striving to join the military?
All team sports require tremendous discipline to be successful and athletes who willing accept their roles in followership and leadership. VMI presented some unique challenges with being a cadet athlete especially during my freshman year and enduring the Rat line. Being at Cornell, I’ve learned that our student athletes face their own unique challenges balancing Ivy League academics and sport requirements. As a Sprint Football player, you must have the discipline to make weight every week, compete in the classroom and on the gridiron. Coming to Cornell, gave me the opportunity of stepping back on the gridiron and watch young men grow into leaders. There’s no greater honor given then to be a mentor, a coach, a teammate to inspire those around you and to instill in them the highest ideals of duty, loyalty and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Hopefully, I’ve been able to give back in a positive way in developing the next generation of leaders. Just don’t ask me how to cut weight!
VMI is a institution known for being extremely regimented and disciplined. Do you think they produce a different kind of military officer to a school such as Cornell?
Certainly VMI’s unique formula is special in developing the qualities necessary to produce outstanding leaders. The citizen-soldier concept, as well as the honor code which is upheld strongly (no grey areas) at VMI molds great leaders of honor, courage and integrity.
Similarly, Cornell has high academic integrity standards and embodies Ezra Cornell’s ideal of “any student, any study.” Cornell’s high level of diversity, competitive academics and intellectual students create a unique environment that challenges everyone to do their best and to freely exchange ideas to enhance the overall learning environment. This formula forges adaptive leaders through an open and collaborative environment that capitalizes on every faculty member’s and student’s unique ethnic, cultural and intellectual backgrounds and experiences. A very proven and successful process for developing formidable leaders in government, military and society.
During my first few months onboard the unit, we took the time to assess and develop a vision statement that I believe encapsulates what it is to be a Cornell Naval ROTC midshipmen. Our vision: Cornell Naval ROTC, through a disciplined, resilient and collaborative culture, forges servant leaders committed to excellence.
What was your initial reaction when you were assigned to Cornell’s ROTC program? How has your experience differed from your preconception?
I initially learned of the opportunity to come to Cornell while in a forward operating base bunker in South Korea. We had just successfully completed an operational exercise and Task Force certification. I was totally caught off guard. Usually most post major commanders head to the halls of the Pentagon for their final assignments. I talked to my wife and saw this as a great opportunity to give back and help shape future leaders, and transition from the Navy.
Having spent most of my life in Virginia and the military, I was not familiar with Cornell University and central New York area. Some colleagues told me that I would face bias and adversity based upon their experiences at other university campuses across the nation. However, I was warmly welcomed by Cornell faculty and staff into this great community that truly respects the diversity and experience veterans bring with them.
I think Cornell is a great place to receive a liberal arts education. One of our great naval leaders John Paul Jones once said, “a naval officer should as well a gentlemen of liberal arts education, a refine mariner, of punctilious courtesy and with the nicest sense of personal honor.” Cornell is the ideal place to develop these qualities in our future Naval officers.
What are some things about the Cornell Naval ROTC program that you are proud of? What are some things that could be improved
I’m proud that the unit has grown in size and stature. A few years ago there were just under 20 midshipmen and now there are over 50 in the program. I attribute this to the outstanding midshipmen who sell our program every day on campus. I am also proud of the leaders we produce that head to the Fleet and Marine Corps ready to assume their leadership roles. The battalion also truly represents Cornell diversity, including several varsity athletes, campus leaders in Greek Life and clubs and talented jazz musicians. During my time, we’ve also been able to bring several distinguish military and civilian leaders and alumni for leadership forums and discussions.
One thing any organization can work on is to improve communication. I am considered Generation X and sometimes email is not the way to go. We’ve worked hard on improving our means to communicate across the battalion with social media tools to get the word out faster and more effectively. Additionally, I want to continue to create unique opportunities for veterans and members of the military to reach out to Cornellians across campus as a means to connect and share their service experiences and leadership lessons.
What are some reasons a Cornell student should consider Naval ROTC or the military? What are some reasons a student should not?
Anyone with a willingness to serve their country, lead others and respond to the challenges should consider Naval ROTC. As a midshipmen, you raise your right hand and swear an oath to the constitution and everything that document and our country holds dear. It’s not to the president, our government, a military leader or anything else. You’re also joining a team committed to excellence that will be challenged every day in a dynamic and complex environment. It’s a very honorable profession and a high standard of integrity expected from everyone who puts on the uniform. Anyone who seeks this type of lifestyle should pursue ROTC and a career in the military.
For those that don’t want to serve in the military, I would still encourage them to seek out other forms of service in government, civilian sector, USAID [United States Agency for International Development], or the Peace Corps. These organizations, like the military, provide individuals with the opportunity to serve, contribute to society and to be part of a team.
In closing, is there anything you would like to say to our readers?
I would ask that anyone interested in pursuing a military career or just interested in learning more about the Naval ROTC program contact Midshipman Recruiting Officer, Ketner Fry, my staff or me at Barton Hall. We welcome everyone to come visit us in Barton Hall and experience the adventure of a Cornell Naval ROTC Midshipmen. Good luck on final exams and finish strong!
