Life in the Jayhawk Battalion

On an average day, life as a midshipman is not all too different from that of a traditional college student. On school days besides Wednesdays, midshipmen wear civilian clothes, go to classes on their own schedule, and typically do not have any battalion evolutions to attend during the day. Once per week everyone in the battalion wears a Navy or Marine Corps uniform, as prescribed by the unit staff, and participates in battalion leadership lab.  Lead lab provides time for battalion business, guest speakers, and military training and instruction on a range of topics.

On select weekday mornings before class, the unit conducts organized Physical Training (PT).  These workouts typically start early in the morning and implement PT programs designed by student staff under the supervision of Marine Corps and Navy fitness instructors.  These PT sessions are a great start to the day and help keep all personnel on track to maintain, develop, and excel in naval service physical standards.

Aside from classes and PT, nearly every member of the battalion participates in at least one of the major competition groups: close order drill team; color guard; rifle and pistol team; and endurance team.  These groups represent the battalion at annual NROTC competitions or meets.  Drill meets are highly competitive, and as such we work hard to be prepared to continue the battalion’s tradition of filling trophy cabinets.

While PT, lead lab, and competition club participation may seem like a lot of time, these events add up to less than 10 hours per week, or barely more than one hour per day.  The battalion and unit staff takes seriously its mission to best prepare you for the challenge and privilege of leading Sailors and Marines in the Fleet.  This schedule is designed to help you succeed in rising to that challenge!