NROTC Berkeley - Activities
There are more elements to NROTC UC-Berkeley than the standard physical and mental preparation necessary to become an officer. The NROTC Unit develops its Midshipmen through a comprehensive program that forces them to use all of their capabilities as a leader. The activities detailed below emphasize practical skills and teamwork. Each has an important role in the Battalion, and each is done by and for the Midshipmen.
The Ring Dance
The annual Ring Dance honors the Midshipmen who are entering into their First-Class year. It is a formal dinner, presentation, and dance held in April. While it is a formal ceremony, it is not without a fun spirit. With that in mind, each rising senior is “roasted” with a slideshow. The evening is a combination of reverence and revelry, ensuring that a great time is had by all.
Armed Drill Platoon
The Armed Drill Platoon is a unit of midshipmen that develops skills in areas ranging from stationary movements, marching, and rifle movements to inspection knowledge and general inspection bearing. The purpose of the Armed Drill Platoon is to develop bearing, discipline and teamwork through training and participation in drill competition. The midshipmen are led in these maneuvers by the Armed Drill Platoon Commander and the Armed Drill Platoon Sergeant.
The Color Guard
The Unit maintains a Color Guard to present and keep the colors. During ceremonies, the Color Guard presents the flags of the United States, the Navy, and the Marine Corps, and is flanked by two rifle-bearers. A salute is rendered by dipping the Navy and the Marine Corps flags while holding the National Ensign high. The Color Guard is held to a high standard or personal appearance, inspection knowledge, and precise drill. Passing through the Color Guard leaves a midshipman better trained and disciplined, with additional respect from fellow midshipmen. The Color Guard is generally composed of 4/C midshipmen with a 3/C midshipman as their commander.
Tri-Service Field Meet
The Tri-Service Field Meet is an annual event held in the fall that features athletic competition between the three branches of the military. Events include basketball, soccer, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, tug-o-war, and relay races.
Physical Training
Physical activity is of utmost importance in the military and a focus of the NROTC program. Midshipmen are expected to achieve and maintain a high level of physical fitness. Battalion wide PT sessions take place every Thursday during drill. These sessions usually take the form of calisthenics and running, but also include group competition like dodge ball and basketball.
Sailing
All midshipman are afforded the opportunity to become qualified sailors. Training begins during freshmen orientation and continues during the junior and senior years when midshipman head to California Maritime Academy to earn their Navy sailing qualifications for the mate and skipper levels. Learning to sail is an important skill that increases midshipman’s maritime knowledge through gaining firsthand experience of how tides, currents, and wind affect vessels at sea.