Old Ironsides Battalion Update
As students return for the spring semester, we reflect on this past fall as well as what is on the horizon. Our focus is on the ongoing planning efforts here at the Old Ironsides Battalion in preparation for what promises to be a very busy and exciting spring semester.
Once again, this semester, officer instructors and several midshipmen will travel to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis on January 26 and others to Notre Dame University on January 30 for annual Naval Leadership Conferences. These conferences, which include discussions, breakout sessions, keynote speakers and dinners, provide the opportunity for midshipmen to gain invaluable educational and professional experiences while interacting with their fellow Navy peers from across the country.
Our unit will participate in the RPI MEC (Military Excellence Competition) on February 1 in Troy, NY. This is a demanding day of military drills and physical competitions. Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC units from all over the northeast region will be in attendance. Events include a swim relay; tug-of-war; drills, and academic jeopardy. This highlights the core values of ROTC: military precision, the spirit of friendly competition amongst the service branches, and excellence in physical fitness.
On this note, MIDN Andrew Voelsing, a sophomore, was recently featured in the Boston Athletic Association’s January newsletter. He will be running the 2025 Boston Marathon with Team USO to honor his military roots, his commitment to the US Navy, those who have served and with whom he will serve. He will actually be passing W59 at mile 25 on the course! Please join us in cheering him on!
We look forward to a visit during Battalion Lab on February 18 from SOAS. According to our Marine Officer Instructor, Capt Brendan Connors, “SOAS (Seal Officer Assessment and Selection) is a program for NROTC students who are screening to be selected for a Navy SEAL allocation spot after graduation. It takes place over a few weeks in the summer, and a SEAL officer will be coming in to discuss what SOAS entails and how to qualify.”
Midshipmen and NROTC staff are currently involved in the organization of two capstone events. The MIT ROTC Joint Services Military Ball on February 28 will enable midshipmen and staff to enjoy the company of their constituents from Air Force and Army ROTC. Midshipmen and cadets will receive their commissions as officers in their respective service branches on May 30 at the MIT ROTC Joint Services Commissioning Ceremony, dockside at the USS Constitution again this year. We are gearing up for an amazing semester!
— Lisa Breen, MIT Navy ROTC