Activities
Life at College
The Navy-Marine Corps Officer Education Program (NOEP) provides instruction and training for young men and women in preparation for being commissioned as officers in the United States Navy or Marine Corps through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC). Students are designated as Midshipmen and receive extensive academic, physical and leadership training while pursuing a degree in a field of their choice from the university. Emphasizing sustained strong academic performance along with leadership and physical fitness training, the goal of NROTC is to develop each Midshipman to his or her highest mental, moral and physical capability in preparation for assuming a position of high trust and responsibility as a commissioned officer in the United States Naval Service.
The U of I/WSU Naval ROTC Unit provides many opportunities for Midshipmen to participate in the battalion and the community. These activities provide leadership opportunities and create a positive, extracurricular learning environment.
Semper Fi is a club for Marine option Midshipmen that helps prepare students for Officer Candidate School (OCS), which takes place during the summer after the end of their junior year. It is run by the Marine Officer Instructor, the MECEPS and Midshipmen who have completed OCS.
Semper Fo is a club for Navy option Midshipmen that provides extra preparation for the fleet after commissioning. Semper Fo teaches Naval and leadership skills outside of the NROTC curriculum. It is run by Naval Science Instructors, OCs and upperclassmen.
Color Guard is a team that consists of four to five Midshipmen that present the colors during the National Anthem at various sporting events for the University of Idaho. The team also competes at the Northwest Navy Competition in the spring.
The Football Team is put together every year and competes at intramural games, as well as an annual competition again the Army ROTC Battalion around Thanksgiving Break.
Toys for Tots:
The Navy ROTC Battalion is a proud annual supporter of the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. The Toys for Tots foundation is dedicated to collecting and distributing Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community. Their goal is to bring a message of hope and help children everywhere experience the joy of Christmas. NROTC provides active administrative support for the Moscow/Pullman community during November and December. University fraternities help our Unit collect, sort and prepare gifts for distribution.
Veterans Day:
Every Veterans Day there are several events around the local community in which the Battalion participates to honor our veterans and their sacrifices. These events included a wreath laying ceremony at the University of Idaho's Memorial gym, a ceremony at Washington State University and a flag laying ceremony at U of Idaho’s Admin Lawn. The U of I/WSU NROTC Color Guard had the honor of presenting the colors at the Veterans Day Ceremony on the Admin Lawn.
Army-Navy Flag Football Game:
Every year, the Naval and Army ROTC Units face off in a competition of athletic skill and performance in the form of a flag football game. Much like the game played between the Academies, there is a fierce rivalry between the Units. This year, entering as back to back champions, the unit defeated the University of Idaho Army ROTC Unit to claim the title for the sixth year in a row.
Homecoming:
Every year the NROTC Battalion marches in the Vandal Homecoming Parade. The event serves to increase the Battalion’s military bearing and aptitude while providing an opportunity to stay active in the community. Two members of the Unit served as part of the Joint Color Guard, which led the parade down Main Street through downtown Moscow.
Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Recognition Ceremony:
The annual POW/MIA Day ceremony is held every September. The University of Idaho Navy, Army and Air Force ROTC Units host the annual POW/MIA ceremony. A joint ROTC force provided Color Guard for the event. Each year, POW/MIA Day honors those still missing from our Nation’s past wars and conflicts as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice and whose remains have not yet been recovered and returned home.
Summer Training
A summer training period is held annually to furnish NROTC Midshipmen the opportunity to gain experience in the practical application of their studies in Naval Science. These training periods are normally three to six weeks in length. NROTC Scholarship Midshipmen are required to participate in summer training during each of the three summers between freshman and senior years. For Scholarship Program students, the timing of the appointment to Scholarship status determines the requirement for participation in summer training.
Third Class Summer Training is conducted between the freshman and sophomore academic years for all scholarship students and is a warfare community indoctrination.
Second Class Summer Training is conducted between the sophomore and junior academic years for all Scholarship students. This at-sea training on surface ships and submarines, furnishes Midshipmen with basic shipboard orientation and an introduction to enlisted life and the roles of the work center supervisor. Marine Option midshipmen attend an amphibious surface cruise.
First Class Summer Training is conducted between the junior and senior academic years for all first class NROTC Midshipmen. First class cruise provides exposure to the officer and wardroom environment and is executed in an at-sea training environment aboard a ship. First class Navy Option Midshipmen may also opt for aviation, submarine or Foreign Exchange Training for Midshipmen. Marine Option first class midshipmen attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, VA.
To be eligible for summer training, Midshipmen must be on Scholarship or Advanced Standing, meet the physical fitness and body composition standards and must be in good standing within the Unit. Each NROTC College Program Advanced Standing student is required to participate in the First Class cruise. College Program students shall not participate in Third or Second Class summer training.
STA-21 Officer Candidates do not participate in summer training and are required to maintain full-time academic study during the summer term.
MECEP Officer Candidates are required to complete Marine OCS at Quantico, VA prior to reporting to the NROTC unit.