Naval ROTC

Sigma PI’s Wilford Beisel Memorial Flagpole Dedication

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This past Saturday, November 12, the Theta Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity honored its brothers who served in World War II. The Wilford Beisel Memorial Flagpole Dedication held by the Fraternity, is in respect for the 93 brothers who served in World War II. The NROTC Unit helped put together a joint service Color Guard to hoist the flag in a professional manner. It is great to see other parts of the community showing their support for Veterans, and the NROTC Battalion is proud to be able to provide the necessary logistics to make it happen. More can be found about the event from the Center Daily Times’ article here.

Here is a letter showing the gratitude of the Sigma Pi Fraternity to us for volunteering for this ceremony.

On behalf of Theta Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity I want to express our great appreciation for your performance as the Penn State Joint ROTC Color Guard at our dedication ceremony of the Sigma Pi WW2 Memorial Flagpole on 12 November 2016. As I mentioned in my address, you were the centerpiece of the ceremony. Your professionalism provided the necessary elan crucial to such a military event. The bugle calls you brought along added further to creating the proper martial atmosphere. Thank you for a job well done.
As a season ticket holder and 1970 graduate of Penn State’s Army ROTC program, I would also like to express how proud I am of your troop and their posting of the Colors before every home football game at Beaver Stadium. Simply put – you’re “outstanding”. Keep up the good work.
Good luck with your academic studies and future military/naval careers. And always remember: WE ARE . . . .(and always will be) PENN STATE !

Respectfully,

Thomas C. Fosnacht
Colonel, US Army, Retired
PSU Class of 1970, past Sage of Theta Chapter

Volunteering in the Community

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The Penn State NROTC Battalion is largely involved with the community. We participate in various community service events and volunteer for many parades and marches, especially during the week leading up to Veteran’s day. It is important midshipman understand the value of giving back to the community and are encouraged to volunteer as much as they can. As future Naval and Marine Corps Officers, they will be expected to put others first and volunteering in community events is a big step towards achieving that.

United Way Day of Caring

On Thursday 6 October, the battalion kept up its annual participation in the Day of Caring where the midshipmen give time out of their day to service their community. Some of the service work included clearing trails, building stages, and developing a garden area on the Boal Mansion’s estate. Some midshipmen were sent to Boy Scout Troop 380 to lend a hand on various tasks, including help in the construction of a log cabin.

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LT Michael P Murphy Dinner

Several midshipmen were able to attend a dinner sponsored by the Navy League of Centre County where LT Michael Murphy Distinguished Citizen Award was presented to an outstanding community member. We were honored to be among guest that included Daniel Murphy, Col Tom Manion, USMC (Ret.), and the awardee, Tom Cali, as well as being joined by former MOI, Major John Fulton as the emcee.

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Veterans Week Events

Lasch Building Tour

The University held various events leading up to Veterans day on November 11. The football military appreciation game vs Iowa was approaching and Coach Franklin invited the ROTC Battalions to join him at practice to show his respect.  Midshipmen and cadets of all branches were invited into the football program’s Lasch Building and received the opportunity to tour the iconic building and meet with Coach Franklin and the players after practice.

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Veterans Day Ceremony

The NROTC Battalion provided a formation of midshipmen as well as a tri-service Color Guard to march in the ceremony. The midshipmen and cadets stepped off from Wagner Building and made stop at the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Veterans Memorial to show their respect and honor for those who answered the call to serve. The ceremony ended with a formation at Old Main where midshipmen and cadets stood at attention while various speeches were given honoring the veterans who have served to protect us.

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September Recap

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The 2016-2017 School Year is Underway

The past month of September has been a busy one for the Penn State NROTC Battalion. With the introduction of the class of 2020 and various Battalion wide events, the unit is already making an impact this school year.

Alumni Tailgate

On Saturday 3 September, the Alumni Interest Group hosted a tailgate for the Penn State vs Kent State game. It allowed a chance for alumni to interact with the midshipman and give back to the unit and it gave the current midshipmen a chance to meet those leaders who have gone before them. Penn State won 33 – 13. Many thanks to all of the alumni and everyone that helped make the event possible.

Midshipmen enjoy the hospitality and great tailgate of the Alumni Interest Group and are very thankful for all they do.

Midshipmen enjoy the great tailgate hosted by the Alumni Interest Group and are very thankful for all they do.

Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run

On Sunday 11 September, approximately 50 Midshipmen participated in the Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run to benefit the Travis Manion Foundation. Travis Manion was a Marine Officer from Pennsylvania who lost his life fighting in the War on Terror. The Midshipmen showed their support for the cause by standing in a formation for the Opening Ceremony, provided a Color Guard, and ran in a formation during the race.

POW MIA Vigil

Midshipmen and cadets from all three branches came together to pay respects for those who came before on September 16th for the POW MIA Vigil. Those men and women who served their country and paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom are remembered for the heroism. Midshipman and cadets form together for a ceremony dedicated to these heroes and they stand watch all through the night to protect the image of these great men and women.

 

 

Sub Ball, Tri-Service Awards and more

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By MIDN 1/C Erbs

It has been an eventful few weeks in the Penn State Naval ROTC Battalion. Midshipmen attended the Groton, CT Submarine Ball (pictured above), as well as received awards during the Penn State Tri-service award ceremonies. Awards ranged from local to national level awards, presented in a Schwab Auditorium ceremony held on the 7th of April.

The awards week culminated in the Senior Dining in. This event is a celebration of the Senior class’s time in the Battalion. It was an overwhelming success, filled with laughter and merriment. Now, the Senior class refocuses on their remaining goal: successful commissioning.

Naval Academy Leadership Conference

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By: MIDN 1/C Andrew Erbs

Penn State NROTC Midshipmen visited the Naval Academy for their annual leadership conference from January 24-26. This year’s theme was cultivating relationships. Notable speakers included Former Deputy director of the NSA, John Inglis, and former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral James Winnefeld.

Penn State attendees included the battalion executive officer and the battalion operations officer.

Penn State Homecoming Parade 2015

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By MIDN 1/C Elyard

STATE COLLEGE, PA.-

The Penn State Class of 2019 Fall Basic Team participated in Penn State’s Homecoming Parade. This was an exhibition of the drill work that the freshmen have learned in their time so far at Penn State and a direct reflection of the hard work done by the upperclassmen midshipmen who led the team.

 

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Pass-In-Review

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By MIDN 1/C Sarah Elyard

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.- On October 8th, the Penn State NROTC Unit conducted the time-honored tradition of a ceremony called “Pass-In-Review”. This was conducted to demonstrate The Fall Basic Team of 2015, which is comprised of the members of the Class of 2019. Their dedication to drill in preparation for the Penn State Homecoming Parade was apparent as the Penn State NROTC Battalion observed the drill demonstration. During Pass-in-Review, the Basic Team marched past the commanding officer.  This ceremony tied together the future of these new midshipmen as members of our Unit with the long-held Naval traditions and customs.

 

 

Day of Caring 2015

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By MIDN 1/C Sarah Elyard

BOALSBURG, Pa.-

Each year, midshipmen from the Penn State NROTC Unit participate in the Centre County United Way Day of Caring. Colonel Gerald Russell (USMC) was the founder of this event, which is a county-wide day of service to the community. This year, it took place on Thursday, October 1st.

Midshipmen gave hours of service at the Boal Mansion Museum, which is a historical site located in Boalsburg, Pa.  Service activities included things such as mulching trails, sanding fences, and painting. All of these will aid in the upkeep and preservation of the historical mansion and armory, as well as the surrounding grounds. This opportunity to serve was a way of honoring Colonel Russell and his steadfast devotion to both his country and his community.

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POW/MIA Vigil

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By MIDN 1/C Sarah Elyard

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Gathered on the Old Main Lawn, members of the Navy, Army, and Air Force ROTC programs honored those declared Prisoner of War or Missing in Action with a vigil and ceremony. September 18th, 2015 was declared National POW/MIA Recognition Day. A tri-service color guard carried the American flag and the black and white POW/MIA flag out over the Old Main lawn to the flagpole. All uniformed service members saluted while these flags were raised to half staff.

During the ceremony, cadets and midshipmen read several stories of those Penn State alumni who were prisoners of war or missing in action in their time of service. A dress cover from each of the Armed Forces branches was placed at an empty seat at a special table during the ceremony to symbolize the fact that they couldn’t take their place back home. This was followed by a twenty-one gun salute and the playing of Taps.

This day to reflect on the sacrifices given by those who have gone before us in our nation’s military was a somber and reflective one. Civilians passing by stopped to observe the ceremony, which concluded with the posting of a guard in front of Old Main. The vigil lasted for twenty-four hours, and each hour shift was covered by a Penn State cadet or midshipman carrying a rifle.

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