Being a boy scout builds a strong foundation for young boys in helping establish good character, introducing them to the responsibilities of citizenship as well as teaching them other useful skills they will use throughout life. So was the case for former scout, and Castle Rock resident, Scott Rosa, who currently holds the rank of United States Captain for Marine Forces Logistics.
Scott Rosa began his life in a small farm town in Bunker Hill, Illinois. Growing up in that environment was simple and happy, and as he approached the first grade, his parents decided to have him put on his first uniform. “I was in the boy scout program from the first through the fourth grade,” Rosa reflected.
As he grew older and began to advance through his learning career, in high school, he started to think about possible ways to help pay for college. “I didn’t want to take loans out and I didn’t want my parents to pay for it,” he said, “I saw a good opportunity with the Marines to be able to do that.”
Following the chance to go onto a four-year institution, after finishing high school, he enlisted himself in the Marine Corp. “For several years, I worked as a dispersing clerk and active Marine,” he stated. “When I was getting close to completing my enlistment, I started looking at my college options.”
Noting his strong work ethic and good performance over the years, one of his officers suggested that Rosa take a look at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Suddenly, sticking with the Marines started to sound like a good idea. “I put a package together and ended up getting a nomination from the secretary of the Navy to go to the Naval Academy,” he said proudly.
After receiving high scores on his SAT and meeting other stringent requirements, Rosa packed his bags, finally achieving the dream of earning a college education. He would have the chance to attend one of the top institutions in the country. “All tuition and everything is taken care of,” Rosa stated. “You have a five year pay back that once you graduate, owing five years of service as an officer.”
One year into the academy, his friends decided to set him up on a blind date. Rosa smiled, “I met Alison in Annapolis my freshman year on a blind date for Valentine’s Day.” It didn’t take long for him to realize his friends had hit it out of the ballpark. In 2007, he asked for her hand in marriage.
Following graduation, their first son came along. Then in 2009, he received his papers calling him to Afghanistan to assist counterinsurgency operations. Specializing in movement on the ground and in the water, Captain Rosa would now get the chance to use his training. “As a logistics officer, I deal with movement of transportation of ships, aircraft and trucks – also supplies, personnel, maintenance of equipment, food, water and fuel,” stated Rosa. “I get the marines to and from the fight.”
The tour lasted 10 months before he returned home. Rosa came back to enjoy home life for a few years, still performing his duties for forces abroad and having a second child. Then in 2012, following the Navy Seal’s capturing and killing Osama Bin Laden, he was called back to Afghanistan when NATO leaders announced endorsing an exit strategy for withdrawing their forces.
His second tour stationed him in Afghanistan for eight months, earning him further recognition for his service.
The front of Rosa’s jacket is now colorfully decorated with personal and unit awards from his career. “The ribbons on my uniform include: the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, National Defense Medal and the
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.”
But the past two and half years has settled him and his family in Castle Rock – not too far from where he is currently stationed, at Buckley Airforce Base. And while during the week, he handles logistics for Navy and Marine forces abroad on ground and water, in the evening, Rosa puts on the uniform of husband and dad.
And remembering the positive influence the scouts had on him as a young boy, it was an easy decision to get his oldest son involved in the program when he came of age. “We started looking at the local scouts and we found Pack 788 here in Castle Rock,” Rosa continued. “It’s a great group of scout leaders and great group of kids.” His son is now a wolf with the other second graders and Captain Rosa has taken on the role of pack treasurer.
As the holidays fall upon us, Rosa and his family are looking forward to enjoying a quiet winter in Castle Rock. Because of several family relocations and his deployments to some of the most heated combat areas of the world, like many service men and women, he cherishes the time with his family at home. “Having moved four times in the past six years, it’s nice that we’ve been in Castle Rock over two years and will be right here for the holidays.”
