Marine MIDN
A Marine Midshipman at Jacksonville University will likely attend JU if on scholarship, but may attend UNF if a college programmer. Responsibilities range from being a Squad Leader during the freshman year to Battalion Commander during their senior year, and may include holding a billet or other position (Team Captain, Student Battalion Staff, OIC of an event, and/or tasks as given by those senior to them). Generally, during their freshman year, a Marine Midshipman will learn to be responsible for themselves and a few others. During their sophomore year, they will learn to be responsible for many others and will become familiar with how to organize some kind of event. Juniors and Seniors will hone their leadership skills in many different areas and situations, and will become responsible for a semester’s worth of tasks and events.
In addition to the JUNROTC Battalion, Marine Midshipmen also participate in Semper Fidelis Society. This is a platoon dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of Marine Corps leadership in its truest form and at the platoon level. Those in Semper Fidelis Society will be given tasks or billets above and beyond those given at the battalion level. These can include being a Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Semper Fi President, Mess Night OIC, or the Marine Corps Birthday Ball OIC. Those aspiring to join Semper Fidelis Society are welcome to first spend time at our separate training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 0600. Physical standards are higher in Semper Fi Platoon compared to the battalion and therefore, we welcome your outstanding physical condition.
Volunteering and Community Service can vary depending on the school attended and declared major. Regardless, there will be opportunities to demonstrate your desire to serve the Unit and others during the time spent at JUNROTC. Fundraising activities, community events and color guards all occur each semester, and volunteering spreads the load when things get busy.
On top of all of the unit functions you will take part in throughout the school year, summers offer an exciting opportunity for students on scholarship. Every summer while you are a part of the NROTC you will be sent on a summer cruise as part of your training requirements. Between your freshman and sophomore year, you will go on CORTRAMID which is a four week cruise that gives you a taste of what each community in the Navy and Marine Corps has to offer. This gives you a good idea of what you will want to do in the military and you will also form friendships with other midshipman from across the nation. Other cruises include the Fleet Marine Force tour where you will spend time at Camp Lejeune, NC or Camp Pendleton, CA to train with Marine units at those bases. Your final summer cruise consists of Officer Candidate School, a 6-week long course in Quantico, VA. Here you will earn your belonging in the Marine Corps and prove that you have what it takes to be a leader of Marines.
Weekly schedules are in great part dictated by PT and class schedule, but the rest is up to you. You determine what time you do homework, eat, sleep, complete tasks assigned to you, or extra physical training. You can even determine your class schedule! (To a certain extent of course). Each year will build on the last, and will become not only more challenging, but also more rewarding. Your effort will directly benefit the men and women around you and will bring great pride and satisfaction to all. Earning a degree and commissioning from Jacksonville University and JUNROTC will give you opportunities others have only dreamed of.
We Welcome Your Arrival!