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IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. -- Gunnery Sgt. Pete Vargo and Staff Sgt. Eric Fritz, Recruiting Substation Green Bay Recruiters, presented Caleb Plumley with the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Marine scholarship at graduation from Iron Mountain High School. NROTC trains future leaders in the Navy and Marine Corps while they attend college. Plumley plans to become a Marine Corps officer after graduation from the University of Michigan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Emma S. Norris)

Photo by Cpl. Emma Norris

Iron Mountain native receives NROTC Marine scholarship for academic excellence

21 Jun 2018 | Cpl. Emma Norris 9th Marine Corps District

Caleb Plumley, a native of Iron Mountain, received a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Marine scholarship for $180,000 at graduation from Iron Mountain High School May 25, 2018.

To be considered for an NROTC Marine scholarship, high school students must submit a resume and letters of recommendation, conduct a physical fitness test, and stay competitive in academics, leadership and physical fitness, throughout the entire selection process. The NROTC program is designed to train future leaders in the Navy and Marine Corps while they attend college.

“I talked about the scholarship to Caleb’s class and he came to me afterward with interest and was intrigued about being a leader and becoming a Marine officer,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Fritz, a Recruiting Substation Green Bay recruiter.

Plumley stood out for many reasons including his grades, physical fitness and volunteer hours. When he conducted the Marine Corps’ physical fitness test, Plumley received a perfect score. The test consists of a 3 mile run, pull-ups and crunches. Many of Plumley’s volunteer hours came from the regular work he did with Habitat for Humanity and other local charities.

Plumley graduated as a valedictorian from Iron Mountain High School due to his academic excellence and determination to succeed. Plumley will participate in the NROTC program simultaneously with his academic courses when he attends the University of Michigan in the fall.

“I am very excited to get the structure of NROTC,” said Caleb Plumley. “I’ve worked extremely hard during my high school career and I’ve always wanted to go into the military. It was really nice to have all that hard work pay off and get to be part of this program.”



9th Marine Corps District