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Battalion News

October 2024

Service Selection Day

The Class of 2025 received their service assignments this week. Starting with the midshipman’s preferences, these assignments are based on specific Department of the Navy requirements and consider both a midshipman’s aptitude and preference for a particular specialty. Midshipmen who will commission in the Spring as Surface Warfare Officers select their first ships during the annual NROTC Ship Selection Day, typically held in February.  Below is the breakdown for our current MIDN 1/C cohort by warfare specialty:

  • Aviation: 9
  • Navy EOD: 1
  • Marine Corps: 2
  • Special Warfare: 1
  • SWO: 0
  • SWO Nuke (SEAL option): 1
  • Submarine: 5 
Total to be commissioned: 19 (6 Ensigns in December, remainder in May 2025)
 

September 2024

VADM Robert Gaucher, Commander, Naval Submarine Forces

VADM Rob Gaucher, COMSUBFOR, met recently with USC MIDN 1/C who had applied for submarine or Surface Nuke warfare specialties.  The meeting took place at the UCLA NROTC offices.

VADM Dan "Undra" Cheever, Commander of Naval Air Forces, visited the USC NROTC unit. Admiral Cheever shared his incredible experiences in naval aviation and leadership with the midshipmen, offering valuable insights as they prepare for careers in the Navy and Marine Corps.
Lieutenant Jack Tribolet, USN

LT Jack Tribolet, the unit’s aviation office instructor, was announced as a winner in the 2024 CNO Naval History Essay Contest sponsored by the Naval History and Heritage Command.  LT Tribolet placed third in the Rising Historian category for his essay, “Mapping the Messaging of Midway: Navigating Navalism in the 21st Century.”

LT Tribolet won a cash prize and a trip to Annapolis in October for breakfast with the CNO, ADM Franchetti, and the other essay contest winners.

On 11 September, the Army, Navy, Air Force ROTC units and the Joint Assembly for Military-Associated Students (JAMS) came together for a special stair climb in the Galen Center to honor the lives lost in the tragic attacks on 9/11. Each step in this climb represented the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the individuals who perished that day, including the brave first responders who gave everything in service to others. As the students and staff conquered 2,977 stairs, we remember their legacy and reaffirm our commitment to service, duty, and the defense of our nation. This act of remembrance is more than just physical—it is a testament to the enduring spirit of unity that defines our ROTC students here at USC. We climb so that their memory never fades. Fight On!

Welcome Class of 2028 - August 2024

Class of 2028 Arriving
Class of 2028 swearing in ceremony
Welcome to the Trojan Battalion

35 new students were sworn in before classes started in August.  The new MIDN 4/C include 28 Navy (27 mids and 1 enlisted officer candidate) and 7 Marines  (4 mids and 3 MECEPS).  Welcome to all!

Change of Command - July 2024

Col Gil Juarez is relieved by Col Trace Perry as CO of the LA NROTC Consortium.
Prof. Frank Zerunyan and CDR Josh Ragadio witness the Change of Command ceremony.
Ensigns from the Class of 2024 congratulate Col Juarez on the completion of his Marine Corps service.

Spring 2024 Awards Ceremony

Battalion Change of Command. MIDN Matt Merone, '24 passes the guideon to MIDN Paradis, '25 as BNCO for the Fall 2024 semester.
The Operations Platoon, led by PCO Andrew Larratt, '24, wins the bi-annual platoon drill competition.
MIDN 1/C Sal Rodriquez, '24 presented with 2nd Marine Division Association award
MIDN 1/C James Cook, '24 with MIDN of the Year trophy.
MIDN 1/C Andrew Larratt, '24 celebrates the Operations Platoon drill competition win.
MIDN 1/C Anne Whelan '24 receives an award from the DAR

The Alumni League BOD adopted a Midshipman Battalion proposal to expand our annual office sword award program.  The following seniors were recognized for their superior performance based on criteria set by the Unit and Battalion staffs. 

  • Parker Sword:  MIDN 1/C Blake Harrison
  • Surface Warfare Officer Sword: MIDN 1/C William Durban
  • Submarine Officer Sword: MIDN 1/C Grant Addington 
  • Student Naval Aviator Sword: MIDN 1/C Max Jenson
  • Marine Officer Sword: MIDN 1/C Sean Katzmannand 
  • Trojan Sword: MIDN 1/C Karl Kammereck
League President James Hull presents the Trojan Sword to MIDN 1/C Karl Kammereck, '24

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