Captain Daniel Cobian Relieves Captain Gerald Olin as Commanding Officer of NROTC San Diego

Captain Daniel Cobian ’96 (BBA) assumed command of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) San Diego, relieving Captain Gerald Olin ’06 (MS) during a change of command ceremony at the University of San Diego (USD) on Friday, June 7.

During the ceremony, Capt. Cobian expressed his commitment to building on the strong relationships established by his predecessor. “For those of you who may not be aware, tradition recommends that as the person assuming command, I should remember the three B’s. Be brief, be brilliant, and be gone,” said Capt. Cobian.

He continued, “I intend on building on the already existing relationship that is very positive from Captain Olin with the university’s staff. I look forward to continuing the great work he’s undertaken in our endeavor to build on that relationship. Jerry, thank you for an exceptional welcome and an even better turnover. I do intend to continue to steer the course you’ve set for the NROTC unit. You’ve absolutely set me up for success, and I truly thank you for that. I also want to congratulate you on what can only be described as an incredible run by any measure by anybody in the Navy. Congratulations to you and your family on a career well spent in the defense of our country. I have the watch.”

Capt. Cobian, a San Diego native, enlisted as an Electronics Technician in 1988. He served aboard the USS Haddock, where he was accepted into the BOOST commissioning program. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business economics from USD in 1996. He later earned a master's in financial management from the United States Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

His distinguished career includes serving as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer onboard USS Spruance (DDG 111), as the Deputy Commodore and then Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 21 (DESRON 21), and most recently, as the Commanding Officer of Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific (EWTGPAC). His previous sea tours also include positions on USS Fort Fisher (LSD 40), USS Princeton (CG 59), and USS Stethem (DDG 63). Capt. Cobian and key members of his staff also embarked on the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) to serve as the Task Group Commander in support of the United States Navy’s' COVID-19 pandemic response efforts.

Capt. Olin is retiring from the U.S. Navy after 41 years of dedicated service. He assumed command of NROTC San Diego in December 2020. Reflecting on his naval career, Capt. Olin stated, “NROTC San Diego is one of the best NROTC programs in the country and it’s because of our staff. Not just our military personnel, but our civilian staff as well as our partners with our universities. This is a high-functioning team and I know it's going to continue to be a high-functioning team in the coming years.”

Addressing his retirement, Capt. Olin added, “I had a great career and did exciting, fun things and I loved every minute of it. I’m leaving with so many great memories. This job has been the highlight of my career, and I can’t imagine a better way to wrap up my career. To Captain Cobian, you’re going to love it here. It’s a great place to work. I wish you and your family all the best. It’s going to be a great few years.”

— Kelsey Grey ’15 (BA)