The son of a pharmacist and an education system employee, Nathan Greenwood grew up in the small town, not unlike Moscow, of Madisonville, Tennessee.
Although he had no previous familiarity with the military, Greenwood, 28, decided to take a chance by attending the Naval Academy after he graduated high school. Last month, the United States Navy Lieutenant and University of Idaho assistant professor of naval science was named the 2015 Naval Service Training Command Instructor of the Year.
Greenwood said being nominated for the award was an honor to begin with, and that to be chosen over instructors throughout the country was unbelievable.
“As far as the award goes, I was pretty shocked to hear I had gotten it,” Greenwood said. “I feel like I should go buy a Powerball ticket because it”s almost that slim of odds.”
Commander Alex Greig, UI”s NROTC executive officer, was among the two men who nominated Greenwood for the award.
Greig said he and NROTC Commanding Officer Captain Michael McClintock evaluated the performance of Greenwood”s students as well as his interactions with his advisees before deciding he was the best nominee for the award.
After spending three years stationed in Kingsbay, Georgia, Greenwood said he was presented with the opportunity to become a naval science instructor.
“I knew I wanted to be an ROTC instructor – I wanted to go somewhere I could make a difference,” Greenwood said. “So being able to be a naval science instructor and help train the next generation of officers was a really appealing opportunity.”
Since Greenwood”s arrival at UI mid-spring semester of 2014, Greig said he has seen nothing but improvement from the instructor.
“It takes a little while once a guy gets here to get their feet under them and figure out what”s going on,” Greig said. “The first year, (Greenwood) was growing, the second year he was hitting all the marks.”
Greig said he was also impressed by Greenwood”s dedication to teaching and his drive to broaden his knowledge in a way that would help his students.
“A lot of the classes he teachers are very broad, and he only has his first-hand experience as an officer,” Greig said. “But he does research and invests in his students.”
Matt Wilson, a recent UI graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, said he has seen first-hand the ways in which Greenwood, who was his adviser, continually goes out of his way to help the students he works with.
“He took care of everyone in his class and everyone in his unit,” Wilson said. “If someone had a question, they could go to him and he worked tirelessly to find them an answer.”
Although he doesn”t intend to continue serving as a Navy instructor after he leaves active duty, Greenwood said he appreciates that he has been able to work with so many talented students.
“We”ve got great kids going through the program,” Greenwood said. “They”ll make great officers and I”ve had this great opportunity to help mold and shape them into the leaders the fleet is going to need.”
While only one instructor is selected to receive the award, Greenwood said he believes that his success is mostly due to the support and encouragement of his colleagues and students.
“The people working around you make an environment where you can be successful,” Greenwood said. “So it”s not just my award, it”s our whole unit”s award. The good work that”s going on in these hallways by everyone is really what”s encapsulated in my selection.”
Corrin Bond can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CorrBond