Two members of the Class of 2020 who first befriended one another as Greenies now find themselves on a similar trajectory in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Lieutenant Joe Coladonato ’20, left, and Lieutenant Jack Fitch ’20 furthered their service to their country by reporting June 3 to The Basic School in Quantico, Va.
The mission of The Basic School is to “train and educate newly commissioned or appointed officers in the high standards of professional knowledge, esprit-de-corps, and leadership to prepare them for duty as company grade officers in the operating forces, with particular emphasis on the duties, responsibilities, and warfighting skills required of a rifle platoon commander.”
The Basic School training lasts approximately 28 weeks.
Joe’s commissioning source was the U.S. Naval Academy (where he just graduated). Jack commissioned through the Officer Candidate School's Platoon Leader Course. Jack just completed his college lacrosse career for the University of Vermont, appearing in 16 games as a defensive midfielder his senior year.
Each of these Greenies showed their potential in high school as part of the National Honor Society and their roles as senior leaders. Joe’s hometown is Greensboro, N.C., while Jack is from Boone, N.C.