Veronica and Jim Cooper

A military family tradition was passed on from father to daughter last week during Kansas University’s ROTC graduation ceremonies.

On Monday, Veronica Cooper, 23, was commissioned into the Navy from the KU Naval ROTC program. Her father, Jim Cooper, a retired Navy officer and former commander of the KU Naval ROTC program, commissioned her at the Campanile on the KU campus before the joint services commission ceremony.

“It was really exciting for me,” Veronica said. “It’s kind of like I’m going into the family business. May dad was in the Navy for so long, and I know he was sad when he got out.”

Veronica participated in her father’s Navy retirement ceremony in 2003. Jim, a 1974 KU grad, said he fondly remembered jumping in his car after graduation to drive to San Francisco for his first assignment. Now Jim, who served as commander of the KU Naval program from 1999 to 2003 and is director of administrative assistance at KU Medical Center, will see his daughter travel west, too.

In July, Veronica will work as a nurse in the San Diego Naval Medical Center.

“I’m excited to start my career in the military,” Veronica said. “I’m glad he was there and able to share the moment with me.”

Veronica said she wanted to join the military to continue a life of travel. She moved 10 times in about 16 years, and living in places such as Japan and Hawaii had a big influence on her, she said. The Navy appealed to her specifically because of family tradition. Jim’s father was also a Navy man.

“I hope she enjoys it as much as I did,” Jim said.