June 12, 2002
BERKELEY, Calif. -
By Barry Rubenstein
On the lacrosse field, senior Halsey Monger leads the offensive attack with a calmness and precision that makes even the casual observer gaze in awe. She's not big physically, standing at just 5-5, forcing her to outsmart and outwit the much larger defenders - something that she has proven quite capable of doing. After 57 career games, Monger has compiled some impressive offensive statistics, tallying 67 goals on just 174 shots - almost a 40 percent accuracy rate. One word comes to mind: precision.
But where does this exactitude come from?
On any given day, you can find Monger working on mock scenarios in preparation for an upcoming assignment. The question is what kind of assignment will she be preparing for? Naturally one would answer, "Simple, she's preparing for the big match against Stanford this weekend." Now, while that is a definite possibility, it's only half of the equation." In her "other" life, the one separate from lacrosse, you might find Monger working on a mock war scenario in the war room and being addressed as Midshipman Monger. This is not a joke from her tight knit group of teammates, although it might sound like one. Monger is indeed in charge of Cal's class of midshipmen in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) program at Berkeley.
"It's cool to be in charge but it takes a lot of hard work," explained Monger. "I'm the same person in ROTC that I am in lacrosse, but I just handle myself differently in each. I'll be more authoritative with the midshipmen, making sure that the younger members of the unit know the proper protocol. In lacrosse, I am free to be more upbeat and expressive so that I can hopefully motivate the team. It's the same attitude, just a different way of going about it."
Halsey came to Berkeley four years ago on a ROTC scholarship, with dreams of one day becoming a flight surgeon in the military. While pre-med studies proved to be a bit too much to handle with lacrosse and ROTC, she happened upon anthropology as a major. Monger sees anthropology as the missing link between her life on the field and her life in the military. She has been able to translate her studies into her ability to deal with people in a leadership role.
"I have the really strict disciplinary side with ROTC and the athletic side, with lacrosse, which is where I get a lot of my stress out," said Monger. "Anthropology really rounds it all out because it deals with society and culture as well as a little biology and history. I am able to apply these lessons to every aspect of my life, including lacrosse."
Originally hailing from Coronado, California, Monger grew up a military brat on one of the largest Naval bases in America. Add to that a rich military family history, and the Navy seemed a natural progression for Monger. But it wasn't until the summer of 1999 that she found her true calling.
"It wasn't my life long dream to be a pilot," Monger lamented. "But during aviation week in my first camp, I loved the flying and decided then and there that this was what I wanted to do."
Monger originally wanted to follow in her uncle's footsteps, flying jets in an F-18 squadron. After her first ride though, she didn't get that "high" feeling that she says she was looking for to insure flying jets as a career. It wasn't until she flew a Seahawk helicopter a few days later that she had found true love. Upon graduation from Cal this May, Monger will be commissioned to flight school in Pensacola for two years before being transferred to a to be determined naval base for another six to eight years.
The ROTC experience has helped her to become a stronger lacrosse player on the field and a stronger person off the field. As a co-captain in 2002, it is no coincidence that Monger is valued for much more than her offensive production. A military style of life revolves around total discipline and she has brought that much needed aspect to the team. In fact, this season's No. 46 ranking - their highest ranking ever, could be a result of some of this discipline and precision permeating throughout the team as a whole.
"In the military, you learn to have a total respect for your ranking officers - not just simply because of their rank, but because they've earned that rank," said Monger. "Whether it's being a leader on the lacrosse field or leading my ROTC unit in exercises, people are looking for me to set an example and my ROTC training has helped me achieve this."
Monger must be doing something right. Currently the Bears are 6-2 on the season, giving them their best start in their four years of intercollegiate status. According to Monger, this is no accident. She attributes teamwork as the leading factor in this year's success ... something she has ingrained in the minds of her teammates with a little help from her ROTC training.
"When you have a winning team, you realize what really brings the team together and the things that make the team work," Monger said. "As a captain, hopefully I can translate this knowledge into success on the field."
With graduation looming a few months away, the reality is setting in. All of her lacrosse teammates are women, but in the Navy, her unit will be predominately male. But when asked about this disparity, Monger hardly seems concerned.
"There is no reason why women can't fly in the military," Monger said. "Why even ask the question? It's something that I want to do, I will achieve it and I'm going to do it well."
That's the kind of attitude that leaves defenders watching in amazement. The Golden Bears will lose a star in May, but the United States Navy will certainly gain one.
