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Scott Groome is ready for flight school

“Carolina has given me everything,” says the outgoing UNC Naval ROTC battalion commanding officer.

By Johnny Andrews, University Communications and Marketing, Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Scott Groome wearing a Navy blue U.N.C. Naval ROTC jacket and smiling as he walks near the Pit on the campus of U.N.C. Chapel Hill

Carolina gives students the tools and resources needed to successfully prepare for all kinds of careers, including military service.

Senior Scott Groome found community, received training and grew as a leader by joining the UNC Naval ROTC.

This past year, Groome served as battalion commanding officer, overseeing the roughly 40 midshipmen and enlisted Marines in the unit.

“I oversee all of their training, make sure their development is strong and that everyone’s progressing so, eventually, they’ll commission as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps,” said Groome, an Atlanta native majoring in peace, war and defense and minoring in naval science.

Following graduation, Groome will head to Pensacola, Florida, to train as a student naval aviator.

University photographer Johnny Andrews caught up with Groome near the beginning of his senior year on service selection day in September 2025 and circled back with him weeks before graduation, including at the Naval ROTC’s year-end awards ceremony and farewell picnic.

U.N.C. Naval ROTC student Scott Groome looking down at the floor with his arms crossed in anticipation of learning his service selection.

Sept. 25, 2025

“It’s called service selection day. You submit an application, around August, for the different branch communities that you want to go into (after graduation). I’d put pilot first and was just waiting to hear back the results. I remember a lot of thoughts were going through my head. I was definitely stressed out. This is the culminating point of four years of work. In my head, I was just trying to relax a little bit and just wait for the decision to happen.”

U.N.C. Naval ROTC student Scott Groome, pictured through the window of a door in the Naval ROTC Building, joyfully reacting and pumping his first after receiving his assignment during the annual service selection event.

Sept. 25, 2025

“I was a little anxious because they put the framed photo of what I’d gotten in front of me, but it was flipped over. I was like, ‘All I need to do is just flip this over, but I have to wait and be patient to let our commanding officer, Capt. (Brian) Tanaka, finish his words.’ Then he said, ‘Do you feel the need for speed?’ which is the line from the ‘Top Gun’ movie. I said, ‘Yes, sir. I do.’ So yeah, then I knew. I flipped over the frame and … just pure joy. Super excited. Happy. I think I was letting out some yells. It was great.”

U.N.C. Naval ROTC student Scott Groome celebrating his service selection with excited fellow ROTC students.

Sept. 25, 2025

“When I was walking out, pure joy is really all I was feeling. It was heartwarming to see that so many people wanted to come out to support and hear the decision — a good chunk of the battalion. There’s a lot of ups and downs with the military. Right now, I’m first class, and I’m at the top of the food chain in ROTC. But I’m about to be commissioned, then I’m back at the bottom of the food chain. Same for flight schools, ups and downs. At that moment, it was the highest of the highs. My mom always says, ‘Your accolades today have no effect on tomorrow.’ So I’m just keeping myself humble as I go through.”

U.N.C. Naval ROTC students Scott Groome and Wade Guerra in white uniforms walking and talking down a brick sidewalk along South Road on the campus of U.N.C. Chapel Hill.

April 16, 2026

“Midshipman 2nd Class Wade Guerra is one of my closest friends. I’ve helped him a lot with studying for the ASTB, which is the Naval aviation test. A lot of midshipmen here want to become Navy pilots. I was blessed for being selected for pilot, so I know how to take the test and the tips and tricks to succeed on it. I wanted to make sure all the younger midshipmen had that opportunity, so I started an ASTB study hall this semester.”

Scott Groome and fellow U.N.C. Naval ROTC students preparing to have a group photo made at the Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower on the campus of U.N.C. Chapel Hill.

April 16, 2026

“It’s been an interesting four years because it’s just been me as the Navy option. My really close friend, Ava Acton (lower left in above photo), is the only Marine option, so it’s just been us working in parallel while trying to figure out what we need to do for our branch. Seriously, she’s been my foundation and my rock on a lot of things, and I’ve been the same for her. Without Ava I wouldn’t get to where I am today. You get the sense that this is a very tight-knit community for such a prestigious university. I’m going to miss that the most.”

Command master chief Marshall Combs passing the U.N.C. Naval ROTC flag to Scott Groome in the Naval Armory.

April 23, 2026

“It’s the UNC Naval ROTC battalion flag. The guidon is all symbology and represents the commanding officer role. Command Master Chief Marshall Combs passes it to me, and then I pass it on to the next commanding officer, Midshipman 2nd Class Susanna Imperato. It’s all ceremonial, me passing on my legacy to her.”

Close-up image of a sword held by U.N.C. Naval ROTC student Scott Grome, who won the George Herbert Leadership Award.

April 23, 2026

“The award is the George Herbert Leadership Award. (George Herbert) was a UNC Navy alumnus, and the award goes to the top Navy first class senior for exhibiting leadership and mentorship skills. It was nice to be recognized for the work that I’ve put in the past four years.”

Scott Groome and fellow U.N.C. Naval ROTC students playing spikeball on a lawn at the ROTC year-end farewell picnic.

April 23, 2026

“Carolina has given me everything. If you make the most of the opportunities that this unit and the school give you, you’re going to be set up in such a great place for the future. This is your foundation that’s going to carry you on for years and years. It’s bittersweet. I love Carolina. I’m going to miss this place so much, but I’m also excited for the next chapter.”

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