New Website

The new Vanderbilt NROTC Alumni Website is now live - check it out at www.vanderbiltnrotc.com and let us know what you think!

Sad News

One of our 2003 graduates, LT Allison Oubre, flying Navy Helicopters, was killed this summer in San Diego in a helicopter crash. We are working on several programs to recognize her service, at Homecoming, and with a special recognition award as well. A classmate of hers, Lt Alvord, arranged for a memorial bench to be placed on campus. Cost of this memorial is estimated at around $5,000 and donations can be sent to the following address (checks should be made out to "Allison Oubre Memorial Fund")

Vanderbilt Gift Processing Office
PMB 407727
2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville TN 37240-7727

Homecoming Forum

We are taking our Alumni Association to a whole new level. At the next Homecoming over the weekend of October 16th, the Vanderbilt Navy ROTC , along with the College of Arts and Science, will be hosting a forum titled: "Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security in the 21st Century." The forum will discuss current and future threats to the United States and its allies. Topics will include discussions about cyber warfare and attacks involving weapons of mass destruction, including biological agents. Put this on your calendar, you will not want to miss it.

As more details emerge, we will post them here along with the complete biographies of the panelists.

Pass in Review!

The Vanderbilt University Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps will host a Spring Pass in Review and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 16, on the Commons Center Lawn at 3 p.m. Pass in Review is a formal military ceremony that honors the students' hard work and dedication.

The Vanderbilt NROTC Midshipmen Battalion will conduct a “military parade” and then be addressed by Captain Timothy Daseler from Naval Service Training Command, Officer Development, Nuclear Programs. Following the parade, there will be an awards ceremony.

Volunteer High School NJROTC visits the Battalion

(Top) Cadets from Volunteer High School NJROTC visit with Vanderbilt NROTC Midshipmen for a military leadership lab and cookout. (Bottom) Cadets pose with Midshipmen outside of the VUNROTC Unit on 19th Ave. LCDR (Ret) William Watson, Senior Naval Instructor at Volunteer High, noted that the visiting cadets “had a ball” and the visit “stimulated a lot of interest in NROTC in general and Vanderbilt in particular.” The Midshipman Battalion was pleased to host the high school in hopes of furthering interest and recruiting to both Vanderbilt and VUNROTC.

Invitation to Commissioning Ceremony

Good News!

The hard work of our skipper, Captain Laughton, working with the University is yielding some very nice results...especially in these hard economic times. Vanderbilt has agreed to double the room and board stipend for NROTC students starting in September, 2009. The cost for room and board alone at our Alma Mater is up to about $12,000 per year. (That's a lot more than we paid in tuition!) The University is moving the stipend from $3,000 per year to $6,000. Many thanks to Captain Laughton!

Making Waves

Our Unit X.O., Commander Allen has been recognized for the receipt of his Bronze Star in the Vanderbilt e-publication, myVU. Click here to read the whole article.

Drill Team Video

Just in from Gunny Castro, some video of our squad at Tulane:


Road to Tulane from Andres Castro on Vimeo.

Drill Team Performs well in New Orleans

Our Drill Team placed second at the annual competition at Tulane in New Orleans, Louisiana. Although they muffed a couple of the facts, the good folks at the Vanderbilt Hustler actually covered the story. Read all about it here.

More Calendar Items

The Midshipman Battalion will be having a fundraiser at McFadden's (2nd Avenue, Downtown Nashville) on 17 February, 2009. The event will start at 2000. All proceeds will go to the Student Activities Fund.

On 27 March, 2009, the Midshipmen will have their annual spring party. It will be held at the Unit this year and will feature a crawfish boil. It will begin at 1800 hours.

Alumni are encouraged to attend both events!

Sound Off! (Click on each image to enlarge)

Spring Calendar

Here is the calendar of events for the Battalion this Spring. Feel free to drop by the Unit or, if you are in New Orleans to stop by Tulane for these events - they are guaranteed to bring back some memories!

19-21 Feb Tulane Drill Meet (New Orleans)
21 Mar JROTC Drill Meet sponsored by MIDN BN (VU Campus)
16 Apr Spring Pass in Review/Awards Ceremony (VU Campus)
TBD Senior Mess Night (TBD)
8 May Graduation/Commissioning (VU Campus)