NROTC At Rice

The Houston Consortium is commanded by CAPT William A. Fitzgerald and is comprised of two Units: Prairie View A&M University Unit (located about 45 minutes NW of Houston), and the Rice University Unit (cross-town partners: University of Houston, Houston Baptist University, and Texas Southern University)

The Rice Unit is small compared to most NROTC units (~40 members), but it is an elite and well-run unit. One of its historical purposes is to produce nuclear power officers for the submarine and surface fleets.

We have one company of three platoons, the leadership of which works with the staff of the Unit to plan and coordinate the physical and professional preparation necessary for future careers as Navy and Marine Corps officers.

Unit Staff

Commanding Officer (Aviator)

Professor of Naval Science

Captain Will Fitzgerald was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1985 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. In February 1987 he completed flight school on the Commodore’s List with Distinction and was designated a Naval Aviator.

Captain Fitzgerald's squadron commands include the Red Lancers of Patrol Squadron TEN (VP-10) at NAS Brunswick, Maine (1987-1991), the P-3 FRS, Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) in Jacksonville, Florida (1991-1994), and the Golden Swordsmen of Patrol Squadron FOUR SEVEN (VP-47) at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii (1997-1998). In March of 2002, Captain Fitzgerald reported to the Pelicans of Patrol Squadron FORTY-FIVE (VP-45) in Jacksonville, Florida as Executive Officer. In April 2003, he assumed duties as Commanding Officer of VP-45, where he led his squadron to a highly successful Mediterranean deployment. His squadron won the 2003 Safety Award and Golden Wrench Award for maintenance excellence.

Other sea duty assignments include the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer (1994-1996) where he earned designation as Officer of the Deck (In-Port), Helicopter Control Officer, and Conning Officer Alongside; and on the staff of the Commander, Naval Forces Europe and Commander, Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy where he served first as the Air Operations Officer and Deputy for Transformation, and then as the Deputy Director, Operational Net Assessment (ONA) and Assistant Deputy Director for Assessments (N9) (2005-2008).

Captain Fitzgerald's shore duty assignments include the staff of the Commander, Atlantic Fleet where he served as the Deputy Director for Plans and Policy for the North Atlantic, Western and Central Europe (1996); and on the OPNAV staff at the Pentagon as the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Director, Air Warfare (N88) (1998-2000). 

His post graduate education is from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces (2000-2001) where he received a Masters of Science degree in National Resource Strategy, and Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government (2004-2005) as the Navy's Arthur S. Moreau program selectee where he received a Masters in Public Administration. Additionally, he attended the Department of Defense National Security Studies Program, Senior Manager’s Course at the George Washington University, Elliot School of International Affairs (2007), and the Navy Corporate Business Course at the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia (2008).

In May 2008 Captain Fitzgerald assumed command of Naval Air Station Brunswick, ME as the base's 36th and final Commanding Officer, where he executed the shutdown of the base due to BRAC 05 in May 2011.

Captain Fitzgerald is authorized to wear the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), as well as various service and unit awards.

Executive Officer (Infantry)

Associate Professor of Naval Science

Lieutenant Colonel Stuart R. Lockhart was born and raised in southern New Jersey, graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1991. Commissioned a Second Lieutenant, he completed The Basic School and the Infantry Officer's Course (IOC) in June 1992, and was assigned to the 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d MarDiv in Camp Lejeune, NC, for duty as a platoon commander and later, as the Battalion S-3A and Training/Dive Officer. While assigned to 2d Recon, he completed several JTF-6 counter-narcotics operations, an LF6F work-up cycle, and submarine operations.

Following his tour with 2d Reconnaissance Company in August 1994, Lieutenant Colonel Lockhart was reassigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment for duty as the executive officer of Weapons Company. After completing an LF6F deployment with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), he was transferred to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at San Diego, Calif. There, he served in the Recruit Training Regiment as a series commander, company commander, and battalion executive officer in 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, and regimental special projects officer. In December 1998, Lieutenant Colonel Lockhart attended the U.S. Army's Armored Officers Advanced Course in Ft. Knox, Ky.

After graduation in June 1999, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st MarDiv as the commanding officer for Weapons Company. He served in this capacity through a MEU (SOC) Western Pacific / Arabian Gulf deployment until May 2001, when he became the battalion's executive officer. Lieutenant Colonel Lockhart departed 3/1 in August 2001 to begin his graduate studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa., under the Advanced Degree Program (ADP). Completing his Masters of Arts in Military History in December 2002, he was assigned as an instructor in the History Department at the U.S. Naval Academy. He completed this tour in July 2006 and reported to III MEF for duty in the G-3, responsible for ground operations and OIF/OEF force sourcing. He served in there until assigned as the OIC, III MEF SOTG in June 2007. In March 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Lockhart was reassigned as the Executive Officer, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. While serving with the MEU, he completed numerous operational deployments and exercises throughout the Western Pacific region, including East Timor, Thailand, the Philippines, India, South Korea and Sri Lanka. Additionally, he has been involved in Humanitarian Assistance (HA) missions in Burma, Sri Lanka and the Philippines as well as support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Mindanao.

Prarie View Unit Military Staff

LCDR Eric V. Kessler, USN
Naval Science Instructor (Surface Warfare Officer)
Naval Postgraduate School (2008)
            M.S. National Security Affairs
Texas A&M University (2000)
            B.B.A. Business Administration Management

Capt. Eric S. Christophe, USMC
Marine Officer Instructor (Aviator)
Armstrong Atlantic State University (2002)
            B.S. Criminal Justice

LT Rodney A. Williams, USN
Naval Science Instructor (Aviator)
Lindenwood University (2003)
            B.S. Criminal Justice & Chemistry

SSgt Chauncy J. Anderson, USMC
Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (Motor Transport)

Rice Unit Military Staff

Capt. Eric S. Christophe, USMC
Marine Officer Instructor (Aviator)
Armstrong Atlantic State University (2002)
            B.S. Criminal Justice

LT James H. Kepper, USN
Naval Science Instructor (Submarine Officer)
United States Naval Academy (2005)
            B.S. Mechanical Engineering

LT Jason A. Fite, USN
Naval Science Instructor (Surface Warfare Officer)
Texas A&M University (2006)
            B.A. History & Political Science

GySgt Thomas R. Coffey, USMC
Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (Aircraft, Rescue, & Firefighting)