What is Being in NROTC at Duke Like?

NROTC at Duke is a challenging, rewarding commitment that demands daily effort from Midshipman. In addition to balancing a normal rigorous academic course load at one of the top universities in the country, Duke Midshipmen are expected to enroll in a naval science course each semester and participate in Battalion lab twice a week. Midshipmen are held to a high standard of physical excellence which is maintained by participation in multiple MOTO PT's a week. Midshipmen must also maintain their uniforms and wear them twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Midshipmen can participate in numerous other NROTC related activities, such as Semper Fi, Drill Team and Color Guard. There are also a number of special events which Midshipmen participate in, such as the Fall Birthday Ball, Spring Ball, and Awards Day.

As Midshipmen rise from class to class, they take on more responsibilities within the battalion. All day-to-day functions are planned out and executed by Midshipmen, under the oversight of the Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Midshipmen are presented with copious opportunity to gain invaluable leadership experience as they rise as MIDSHIPMAN IN RANKS to SQUAD LEADER, to PLATOON SERGEANT, to PLATOON COMMANDER, and possibly even to BATTALION COMMANDER, the highest billet attainable by any Midshipman.

Duke NROTC - April 30, 2006

It has been an exciting semester with lots of Battalion activities. All Midshipmen participated in the Battalion field meet, which included motivating activities such as a dizzy-bat race and a dodge-ball competition. The Battalion was also well represented at the consortium field meet, an athletic competition against the North Carolina State and University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill Battalions. Four Midshipmen traveled to the Citadel in Charleston, SC to take part in the 10th Annual Bulldog Challenge. The Bulldog Challenge is a Marine Corps inspired six-mile race in boots and utility pants where teams complete 12 obstacles while carrying twenty-pound sandbags.

On April 1st, the Battalion held its annual Spring Fling which was an opportunity for a fun night of food, music, and congratulations to the graduating Seniors. Finally, the Battalion awards day took place in Cameron Indoor Stadium where Duke Midshipmen received awards for their academic, physical, and leadership accomplishments.

The Battalion looks forward to the end of the semester and to welcoming the next class of Duke Midshipmen at Navy Orientation this summer.