Lieutenant Mikaela Robbins

Junior Advisor
Assistant Professor of Naval Science

LT Mikaela Robbins is a native of Papillion, Nebraska. Upon graduation from high school in 2012, she attended the US Naval Academy as a member of the class of 2016.  She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering and commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer. 

In July 2016 she reported to her first sea duty assignment, USS SHOUP (DDG 86) in Everett, WA as the Main Propulsion Officer.  Her duties on SHOUP included SAPR VA, PAO, and eventually taking over the roles of DCA and A-CHENG.  While onboard, she deployed to the Persian Gulf, South China Sea, South Pacific, and East China Sea.  In addition to deployments, LT Robbins participated in countless international exercises in support of 3rd, 5th, and 7th fleets, including RIMPAC 2016.

In 2019 she transferred to USS PORTER (DDG 78) in Rota, Spain where she served as the Ship’s Navigator and Legal Officer.  While on PORTER, LT Robbins conducted three Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe patrols in support of 6th fleet and Naval Forces Europe.  During the COVID-19 global pandemic, she was selected as Force Navigator for an unprecedented multinational Surface Action Group deployment into the Barents Sea.

LT Robbins’ personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit, campaign, and service awards.  She is currently assigned to the Naval ROTC Unit at the University of Colorado as the Surface Warfare Officer on staff, 2/C Advisor, and Navigation Instructor.


Lieutenant Kai Hinton

Sophomore Advisor
Assistant Professor of Naval Science

LT Kai Hinton, of West Sacramento, California, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He ran Division I cross country as well as track and field for four years at the Naval Academy. He is pursuing a master’s in aerospace engineering with a focus on bioastronautics at CU Boulder and plans on pursuing medicine once done.

LT Hinton commissioned as a Submarine Warfare Officer and, upon finishing the nuclear training pipeline, reported to his first sea duty assignment aboard the Los-Angeles class fast-attack submarine, USS TOPEKA. His 36-month tour included three deployments to the Pacific and one deployment to the Arctic. His billets included Reactor Control Officer, Damage Control Officer, Ship’s Diving Officer, and Assistant Engineer.

In March 2021, LT Hinton transferred to a non-traditional shore tour in Manama, Bahrain, to serve as the Director of Current Operations in the multi-national coalition, Combined Maritime Forces, which was comprised of 34 individual nations. Their mission was to police drug and human trafficking operations, serve in a humanitarian assistance capacity, and assist in regional partnership development. During this time, LT Hinton was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for his support evacuating refugees from Afghanistan.

LT Hinton’s personal awards include a Navy Commendation Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various unit, campaign, and service awards. He is currently assigned to the Naval ROTC Unit at the University of Colorado Boulder as the Submarine Warfare Officer on staff, 3rd Class Midshipmen Advisor, and Naval Weapons and Engineering Instructor.


Lieutenant Lance Cook

Freshman Advisor
Assistant Professor of Naval Science

LT Lance CookLT Cook was born in Fort Bragg, NC, but calls Pace, FL home.  He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from The Citadel, and commissioned through Navy ROTC in May of 2016.  LT Cook reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL in June 2016, and began flight training earning his Naval Flight Officer wings of gold in December 2017.

He reported to his first Fleet squadron, the “World Watchers” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE, in Oak Harbor, WA where he served from September 2018 to September 2021.  While assigned to the World Watchers, he qualified as an EP-3E Navigator, Tactical Evaluator, Mission Commander, and Instructor Senior Evaluator.  He also served as the command Legal Officer, Avionics Tech Branch Officer, Senior Watch Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer.  LT Cook deployed four times, twice each, to U.S. FIFTH and SIXTH Fleet in direct support of operations INHERENT RESOLVE and ODYSSEY RESOLVE.  LT Cook also served as OIC for a detachment to Hawaii in support of Large Scale Exercise 21.

In August of 2021 he was accepted into the EP-3E Weapons and Tactics Instructor program for 2021.  After graduating WTI in December 2021, LT Cook transferred to TASK FORCE 57 in Manama, Bahrain where he qualified as Battle Watch Captain. During his time in Bahrain he worked as the N3 Future Operations Officer and N5 Assistant Plans Officer.

LT Cook is currently assigned to the Naval ROTC Unit at the University of Colorado as the Aviation Officer, and 4/C Advisor.

LT Cook has logged over 1,500 hours in the EP-3E as a Navigator and Senior Evaluator.  He is the recipient of two Air Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and numerous unit commendations and service awards.