Naval ROTC Fall 2025
By Midshipman Ruth Cho
Virginia Tech is home to the nation’s largest Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit, offering unparalleled leadership and professional development for future Navy and Marine Corps officers. Each summer, midshipmen undergo rigorous training that sharpens technical skills, builds character, and provides firsthand exposure to life in the Fleet. This year, Hokie midshipmen excelled across multiple training pipelines, earning distinctions that reflect the unit’s enduring tradition of excellence.
Training begins with Naval Summer Indoctrination (NSI) at Naval Station Great Lakes, where incoming first-year students and college-program sophomores complete an intensive introduction to military life. NSI emphasizes physical fitness, discipline, and the Navy’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment. Virginia Tech midshipmen stood out in this challenging environment: Midshipman Jerome Smith and Midshipman Celian Cadet were named instructors of the cycle for their leadership and mentorship, while Midshipman Malachi Montgomery earned the Warrior Ethos and Toughness Award for exceptional resilience and perseverance.
Following NSI, rising sophomores attend Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) in Norfolk, Virginia, or San Diego, California. Over four weeks, they explore the Navy and Marine Corps’ major communities: surface warfare, submarines, aviation, and the Marine Corps through ship tours, flight experiences, and field exercises. CORTRAMID helps midshipmen make informed career decisions while deepening their understanding of Fleet operations.
Marine-option midshipmen entering their junior year continue with Fleet Marine Force Training in Norfolk, Virginia. This program immerses them in active-duty Marine units to experience life in the operating forces. Participants train in small-unit leadership, land navigation, weapons familiarization, and field operations, gaining firsthand insight into leading Marines. Fleet Marine Force Training bridges the gap between classroom instruction and Fleet service, fostering confidence and command presence.
Rising Marine-Option seniors advance to Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia, one of the most demanding leadership evaluations in the U.S. military. Over six weeks, candidates are tested in physical endurance, tactical decision-making, and moral leadership. Officer Candidate School identifies those who meet the Marine Corps’ highest standards. This summer, Midshipman Carter Smith earned the Iron Man Award for physical fitness, demonstrating exceptional endurance and commitment.
Navy-option midshipmen follow a parallel path through second and then first-class summer cruises. Rising juniors shadow enlisted sailors to learn ship operations and daily life at sea, while rising seniors serve alongside officers to develop leadership and watchstanding skills in preparation for commissioning.
Several Virginia Tech midshipmen earned distinguished awards and qualifications during their Fleet assignments:
-Clifford Atkins and Christian Fontanella – Arctic Service Ribbon, for operational excellence in Arctic regions.
-Grant Kramer, Will Horn, Jerald Barnard, Alexander Holt, and Alexander Dy – SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia, for completing strategic deterrent patrols aboard ballistic missile submarines and contribution to the undersea deterrence mission.
-Brewster Haen – Navy SCUBA Diver Qualification, earned through rigorous underwater training certifying operational diving proficiency.
-Jose Colizzi – Blue Chip, a rare honor recognizing outstanding leadership and performance, earned aboard USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) during operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and D-Day commemorations in Europe. This distinction, granted by the commanding officer, allows him to select DDG 116 for his first ship assignment following graduation.
These accomplishments showcase both the individual dedication of Virginia Tech midshipmen and the collective strength of the battalion. Excelling in demanding environments and earning recognition from the Fleet and Marine Corps, Virginia Tech’s NROTC midshipmen continue to uphold the proud legacy of the Corps of Cadets and set the standard for the next generation of naval leaders.