Old Ironsides Battalion Spring Update
As students settle back in to the routine this spring, several Battalion events have been keeping them busy!
Among the many highlights of the past few weeks was the Notre Dame Leadership Weekend, held in Indiana the second weekend of February. Three midshipmen and our Marine Officer Instructor, Captain Brendan Connors, represented the Old Ironsides Battalion. They participated in a weekend long seminar, which afforded them the chance to interact with their fellow Navy and Marine Corps peers. They gained valuable insights which will continue to guide and shape their military careers as current and future officers.
Meanwhile, on the home front, several Battalion student and staff members were busy at their Build Day for the Habitat for Humanity on February 17. The Battalion’s commitment to community service remains ongoing! (Weekends often find our midshipmen continuing to train on several levels. They recently hiked on the Esplanade; had a FEX (Field Exercise) at the Blue Hills Reservation, and have had meetings with both the FFO (Future Female Officers) and Warfare Club.)
MIT NROTC hosted several distinguished guest speakers to the Unit, including Rear Admiral Lanzilotta, Director of Fleet Integrated Readiness and Analysis, US Fleet Forces and Command; Captain Delaney from NSTC who discussed nuclear accessions, and Marine veteran and Platoon Commander Elliot Ackerman, noted author.
March was ushered in with the MIT Joint Services Military Ball, held in Somerville. The event was the culmination of months of cooperation and planning by Navy, Air Force and Army ROTC staff and students. Members of the Battalion participated in a wonderful evening, in which the commissioning seniors were recognized. Everyone enjoyed sharing dinner and the company of their constituents from Air Force and Army ROTC.
The last leadership lab of the semester at the end of April will be the turnover of Battalion student leadership positions. Senior awards will be presented, ahead of the year’s biggest ceremony, MIT Joint Services Commissioning. Dockside at the USS Constitution on May 30, midshipmen and cadets will receive their commissions as officers in their respective service branches. We are looking forward to this highly anticipated event which will wrap up the semester!
— Lisa Breen, MIT Navy ROTC