Training Ship TopGun Unit History

The training of Navy League Cadets at Miramar goes all the way back to the founding of GUNFIGHTER Squadron. An NLCC Company was formed with then MIRAMAR Division in 1973.

In 1996, Training Ship TOPGUN was commissioned to support NLCC Training at NAS Miramar. In late 1996, our sister unit Training Ship TOPGUN relocated to NAVSUBASE San Diego and associated with BARBEL Division.

1999 saw NLCC training return to MCAS Miramar with GUNFIGHTER Squadron re-established the NLCC Company. In June 2001 Training Ship ADM MARC A MITSCHER was commissioned.

In its first six months of commission, TS MITSCHER was selected as in the top 5 units in the Nation and was awarded the National President Trophy for Excellence in Cadet Training. Also in 2001, TS MITSCHER LPO, Petty Officer Jake Ryzewski, NLCC was selected as the NLCC Cadet of the Year and the recipient of the KEITH T WEAVER Trophy.

2002 saw the unit retain its excellence my placing 8th overall. And again the units LPO, Petty Officer Timothy Rogers, NLCC receiving the honor of being selected as the NLCC Cadet of the Year and the recipient of the KEITH T WEAVER Award.

With the disestablishment of BARBEL Division in 2004, the decision was made to return Training Ship TOPGUN to MCAS Miramar. The Training Ship ADM MARC A MITSCHER name was retired, and the operations of both units were merged together under the Training Ship TOPGUN name.