West Jax Rotary

Capt. John “Jack” C. Scorby, Jr., U.S. Navy
Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station Jacksonville

Capt. John C. Scorby Jr., a native of Manlius, N.Y., graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics. He entered the Navy in November 1982 as an aviation officer candidate and was commissioned an ensign in March 1983.

Upon completion of flight training, Scorby’s first duty assignment was aboard Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two (VQ-2) located at Naval Station Rota, Spain. While attached, he served there as a senior electronics warfare evaluator, NATOPS instructor and mission commander on the EP-3E reconnaissance aircraft, participating in operations throughout the European theater.

In December 1987, Scorby reported to the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. and was awarded a Master of Science Degree in Management in June 1989. His next assignment was at Patrol Squadron Special Projects Unit One (VPU-1), Brunswick, Maine from July 1989 to February 1991, where he participated in operations throughout the European, Caribbean and Atlantic theaters of operation. Following his tour with VPU-1, Scorby was assigned as the VQ/Force support detailer, Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, DC until February 1993.

From March 1993 to March 1994, Scorby attended the Naval War College, Newport, R.I., where he graduated with Distinction and was awarded a Masters of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He then rejoined Patrol Squadron Special Projects Unit One as the officer in charge from June 1994 to March 1996. During this period, the squadron supported Operations Continue Hope in Somalia, Deny Flight in Bosnia, Support Hope in Rwanda and Uphold Democracy in Haiti, earning a Navy Unit Commendation and three Joint Meritorious Unit Awards.

Upon completion of the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va. in June 1996, Scorby reported to the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado Springs, Colo. where he served as a missile operations officer, chief of the Aerospace Warning Branch and flag executive assistant to the NORAD Director of Operations (J-3).

He next reported to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two (VQ-2) in June 1998 and assumed the duties as executive officer before assuming command from July 1999 to July 2000. During Scorby’s tour as commanding officer, VQ-2 was awarded the Battle E, Golden Wrench, Safety S, Retention Excellence award and the CNAL nomination for the Arleigh Burke award.

From August 2000 to July 2003, Scorby was assigned to Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Manpower where he served as the aviation officer community manager and deputy, Officer Plans and Policy. In July 2003, Scorby reported to OPNAV Air Warfare where he served as the EP-3E/ACS requirements officer. Following this tour, Scorby attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, where he graduated with distinction and was awarded a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy.

In June 2006, Scorby returned to air warfare to serve as the flag executive assistant to the director.

Scorby has been awarded various personal awards but is most proud of the aforementioned unit awards because of the teamwork involved in earning them.

Notes
The meeting was called to order by President Mike Crumpler. After the invocation and pledge, Mike asked the club to observe a moment of silence in memory of Past President Rod Porter. Mike thanked Bob Kidd for his efforts setting up the Air Show meeting and Lee Wimberly for setting up Career Day at Bishop Snyder. The following announcements were made:

This Friday at 5PM there will be a social with the Riverside Club at the Florida Yacht Club for members and prospective Rotarians only.

The Bloodmobile is here today.

On November 22nd we’re committed to the Sulzbacher Center and need volunteers. Please contact Ham Cooke for details.

Also on November 22, we are doing our adopt-a-highway clean-up on Blanding Blvd. Please contact Will Croft for details.

We have one more school left to pass out dictionaries. Looking for a volunteer.

Bell ringing will be on the following days/locations:
December 6 - Roosevelt Publix
December 13 - Riverside Publix
December 20 - Riverside Publix

Mike introduced the following new members: Kathleen Cold and Tracy Dickerson. Welcome!

Chris Bergey kicked off Military Appreciation Month by announcing the following guest speakers: Nov 12, CAPT Jack Scorby, CO NAS; Nov 19, Col. Carl Crumpler/RADM Bryon Fuller, former POWs. He then turned the meeting over to Phil Voss to introduce the guest speakers, Col John F. Frketic, USA (ret) and Maj. Mitch Wilcox, USA(ret), who presented an outstanding brief on the current conflict in Iraq and then fielded questions. The meeting ended at 1330 after the 4-way test.

Family or Rotary:
On Monday morning, one of our own members, Alton Yates received a prestigious Award from Governor Charlie Christ. Read the Times Union article.

Thanks to everyone who attended this memorable event.

Rotary Guests
Ed Witt — Downtown
Jim Koivisto — North Jax

Visitors
Jeff Morrow — Guest of Frank Surface
David Dunston — Guest of Bill Howey
Carlin Boswell — Guest of Tom Kustura

Birthdays
November 8 — Paul Broome
November 8 — Bob Myers
November 10 — Mike Prendergast

Next Week - November 19, 2008
Greeters - Mike Corrigan, Sr., Bill Schmidt
Invocation - Dave Collier
Pledge - Jerry Spinks
Four-Way Test - Ron Roberts
Speaker - Ret.Adm. Bryon Fuller and Ret. Col. Carl Crumpler, Vietnam POW’s