NROTC University of Idaho/WSU

Shoutout to MIDN Garcia who CRUSHED summer cruise and qualified Sonar Passive Broadband Operator (PBB) while aboard USS MARYLAND (SSBN-738). This qualification required weeks of work and significant knowledge of passive sonar, sound propagation, submerged contact management, and submarine operations. The letter signifies that the submarine captain trusted MIDN Garcia to ensure ship safety by identifying possibly dangerous sonar contacts early, allowing the ship to avoid any potentially dangerous contacts. Bravo Zulu!

Congratulations to MIDN 1/C Dotson, MIDN 1/C Figueredo, MIDN 1/C Hatch, and MIDN 1/C Blackmon on their completion of OCS. OCS is a 6-week program where these individuals were evaluated on their ability to lead as Marines through mental and physical challenges and obstacles. Congratulations and Semper Fidelis!!!

Congratulations to MIDN Rodzinka for being awarded the Sea Services Leadership Association Rising Star award presented by Admiral Franchetti, the current Chief of Naval Operations!

MIDN Rodzinka was recognized at the Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium for all her achievements and hard work throughout her time in NROTC.

Today, LT Ernst was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for going above and beyond in his duties with the NROTC Battalion while serving as the XO. As an O-3 filling an O-5 billet, LT Ernst successfully oversaw a change of command and ensured that the Battalion continued effectively training our midshipmen.

Congratulations!

On 10 MAY, six members of our battalion become United States Navy and Marine Corps officers!

Congratulations to Ensign Zane Baker, Ensign Arlette Jacobo, Ensign Wyatt Moore, Ensign Ethan Tomczyk, 2nd LT Samuel Hardesty, and 2nd LT Tre Ramirez.

Thank you to CDR Alex Grieg for being our guest speaker.

Spring 2024 Commissioning SENIOR SPOTLIGHT!

MIDN Tre Ramirez is from Moses Lake, WA and will be graduating this Spring with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Veterinarian and Food Science: Production. After graduation, he will attend The Basic School in Quantico, VA.

His hobbies include “skiing, shooting guns as any Marine might like to do, reading, and a few other things here and there.” His favorite Marine Corps memory was attending OCS for all the memories and lessons learned.

Congratulations to MIDN 2/C Garcia for achieving Battalion Member of the Month during the month of March! While excelling in her duties as a squad leader and recruiting point of contact, her dedication to the unit sets the example for her fellow Midshipmen to follow.

On 26 APR, our Battalion held its biannual culminating event. This semester, it was a squad competition where Midshipmen competed against each other with a 100m sprint, a KIMs game, grappling, and pugil sticks. This is a great way to boost morale as we wrap up spring semester!

On 20 APR, the Semper Fi platoon conducted a 12-mile hike to Paradise Ridge. At Paradise Ridge, they conducted field exercises, where they were met with Navy Options acting as the opposing forces. This event further prepares our Marine Options when they attend Officer Candidate School!

Spring 2024 Commissioning SENIOR SPOTLIGHT!

MIDN Wyatt Moore is from Milton, FL and will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Conservation of Biology, and minors in Naval Science, Wildlife Resources, and Natural Resources. His achievements include working alongside Dr. Aycrigg for his thesis with new experimental AI used for recognizing bird calls, along with achieving Battalion Member of the Month and Battalion Member of the Semester. After commissioning, he will attend Basic Division Officer Course in San Diego, CA to join the Surface Warfare community, and afterwards his first ship will be DDG-88 USS PREBLE in Yokosuka, Japan.

In his free time, MIDN Moore enjoys fly fishing, skiing, and backpacking while in Idaho. He is highly involved at the University of Idaho Swim Center as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and Daktronics technician. His favorite memory while in NROTC was “Our Northwest Navy competition at the University of Washington while competing in ultimate frisbee- destroying the competition with our team and winning all three games.”

Last weekend, our battalion traveled to Salt Lake City, UT to compete in the 64th Annual Northwest Navy competition, where we competed against the Naval ROTC units of University of Utah and University of Washington in a series of events. We took 2nd overall in the competition, and placed 1st in Swimming, Volleyball, Dodgeball, and Weapons Relay.

On 09 APR, four of our battalion members attended a dinner and ceremony held by the Foley Institute to honor Secretary Mattis’ life of public service.

Spring 2024 Commissioning SENIOR SPOTLIGHT!

MIDN Ethan Tomczyk is from Kellogg, ID and will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Geology. After commissioning, he plans to go to Yokosuka, Japan to become a Naval Oceanographer/METOC Officer.

His hobbies include doing anything outside, especially skiing. His favorite Navy memory was “while attending a diplomatic dinner aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) in Brunei this summer, a Captain of the Royal Navy was elated to hear I was from Idaho, and promptly responded with one word: ‘Potatoes?!’.”

This morning, the Battalion participated in a roadside cleanup along Highway 8 to help better the community!

On 23 MAR, the Semper Fi platoon conducted a 9-mile hike through campus and along the path towards Pullman, further preparing them for their upcoming 12-mile hike and field exercises. This task was completed successfully, further building the mental and physical toughness needed for the Marine Options in Officer Candidate School!

Yesterday, our Flight Club had the opportunity to tour the aviation history museum at Hangar 180! Thank you to Hangar180 for having us!

Spring 2024 Commissioning SENIOR SPOTLIGHT!

MIDN Samuel Hardesty is from Anacortes, WA and will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Forestry from WSU, where he recently received the outstanding senior award for forestry. He is a first generation Coug, but all three of his siblings have attended as well. After graduation, he will attend The Basic School in Quantico, VA.

At WSU, he is a varsity coxswain for the men’s rowing team, and is a member of the forestry club. He enjoys backpacking, climbing, photography, running, sailing, and playing music. His favorite memory from the Marine Corps was earning his Eagle Globe and Anchor at OCS and being with his family on graduation day.

This morning, the battalion came back from spring break strong with a morning run at WSU!

Spring 2024 Commissioning SENIOR SPOTLIGHT!

MIDN Zane Baker is from Mead, WA, and after graduation he will be attending Flight School in Pensacola, FL to join the Aviation Community. He enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, hunting, dirt biking, and snowmobiling.

His favorite memory with the Navy was attending Northwest Navy last year at Oregon State. “From the 8 hours on the bus finding ways to keep busy, competing with our peers, and getting a break from school, it will always be a positive memory to look back on.”

Spring 2024 Commissioning SENIOR SPOTLIGHT!

MIDN Alex Friesen, from Sun Valley, Nevada, is set to graduate with a degree in Ecology and Conservation Biology. Post-commissioning, her journey leads to Flight School in Pensacola, Florida, where she aims to soar as a Naval Flight Officer.

Beyond academia, Alex has been dedicated to practicing martial arts since she was 7 and has served as an instructor, sharing her passion since the age of 14 and achieving three black belts through West Coast World Martial Arts. Over the summers, she had the opportunity to continue teaching martial arts and conduct training for the NROTC program in San Diego, Okinawa, Guam, and Whidbey Island. She cherishes her family deeply and attributes much of her success to their unwavering support.

Congratulations to MIDN 2/C Rodzinka for achieving Battalion Member of the Month during the month of February! Her exemplary performance and dedication as the recruiting point of contact along with a demanding academic course load sets the example for her peers to follow.

On Wednesday, 28 FEB, the Semper Fi Platoon embarked on a challenging 6 mile hike through campus and partially on the path towards Pullman, Washington. They successfully completed this invigorating task, further preparing them for their upcoming 9-mile hike.

Spring 2024 Commissioning SENIOR SPOTLIGHT!

MIDN Arlette Jacobo is from Spokane Valley, WA and will be graduating this semester from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a minor in mathematics. She is also a member in WSU’s Honors College. After commissioning, her next duty station will be in either San Diego, CA or Norfolk, VA where she will attend the Basic Division Officer Course and join the Surface Warfare Community.

Her favorite Navy memory is having the opportunity to attend Project GO at the University of North Georgia, where she was able to learn Japanese with other ROTC students across the country. “I love to travel and being in NROTC has given me the ability to go to Hawaii, California, and Illinois over the summer for cruises as training.” She also enjoys spending time with her family and traveling with her twin sister.

On Friday, 16 FEB 2024, our battalion conducted close quarters battle training where they learned the fundamental principles including speed, surprise, and controlled action.

On 16FEB, MIDN 3/C Brooks was recognized as Battalion Member of the Month for the month of January! He has stood out among his peers due to his unwavering dedication to the unit and continuously serves as an exemplary role model to others. Congratulations!

On 08 DEC, eight members of our unit became United States Navy and Marine Corps officers!

Congratulations to Ensign Alvin Castro, Ensign Samuel Welch, Ensign Tristan Denning, 2nd LT Christopher Moss, 2nd LT Zoe Stefani, 2nd LT Scott Cmelo, 2nd LT Zachary Jensen, and 2nd LT Logan Tompkins.

Thank you to RDML Jennifer Couture for being our guest speaker.

This year for the Toys for Tots fundraiser, the battalion worked with Slice Taphouse to gather both toys and money during our holiday party and an additional day where all of the money spent went towards Toys for Tots. This year we were able to collect over $3000 and we filled over 17 boxes filled with toys! Thank you to the efforts of Slice Taphouse, the battalion, and the Moscow community for your generosity.

The battalion had the pleasure of having RDML Jennifer Couture, the commander of Carrier Strike Group ELEVEN, as our guest speaker for our Fall Commissioning Ceremony. On 06 DEC, RDML Couture addressed the battalion where she motivated and inspired us all as future leaders, and she also attended a visit with Moscow High School on 07 DEC.

On 17 NOV, two of our battalion members were recognized as battalion member of the month for October and November! They both have stood out amongst their peers and constantly show exemplary work ethic and dedication to the Unit. Congratulations to MIDN 3/C Latta and MIDN 2/C Figueredo!