General ROTC Life

Drill Competition

Each semester, the six platoons that make up the NROTC Battalion compete in a close order drill competition against one another. They are graded by the Assistant Marine Officer Instructors and his hand-selected graders. Each platoon is graded according to their precision, accuracy and coordination. Additionally, the Platoon Sergeant is graded as well.

Inspections

Inspections are a regular occurrence in the Navy and Marine Corps. For this reason, the NROTC Battalion undergoes several inspections each semester. Midshipmen and Marines are inspected in the areas of appearance, military bearing and knowledge.

Navy/Marine Corps Ball

Every year, the Navy and Marine Corps celebrate their birthdays. The NROTC Battalion mark this event at various locations in Tucson. This formal evening consists of dining, a speech given by a distinguished guest, and the traditional cake-cutting ceremony. Dancing and a social hour follow.

Field Meet

Near the end of each semester, all six platoons compete in various athletic events. The scores from this field meet are one of the factors used to determine the honor platoon.

Physical Training (PT)

Navy members of the NROTC Battalion are required to perform PT through the semester as a unit. Additionally, they complete the semi-annual Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) while Marines and Marine-Option Midshipmen are required to perform the Marine Corps' Physical Fitness Test (PFT). The PFA consists of sit-ups, push-ups, a sit and reach, and a 1.5 mile run. The PFT includes sit-ups, pull ups for males, a flexed arm hang for females, and a three mile run.

Summer Cruises

Every summer, all scholarship and/or first-class midshipmen embark on summer cruises. All third-class scholarship midshipmen embark on CORTRAMID, a four-week orientation to various parts of the fleet. Each week is dedicated to one of four fields: Aviation Warfare, Marine Corps, Surface Warfare, and Submarine Warfare.

Second-class Navy-option midshipmen embark on a cruise fully integrated within the enlisted crew of a surface warship. Second-class Marine-options can choose to attend Mountain Warfare School, Combined Armed Exercises, as well as other Marine Corps-oriented choices.

First-class Navy-option midshipmen can embark on a surface ship, submarine, or aviation squadron integrated with the officers of the command. All first-class Marine-option midshipmen attend Officer Candidate School.