NSO Day 6: Commanding Officer's Inspection

The students were able to sleep in a little this morning.  The day kicked off with the unit commanding officer's inspection at 0700.  Upon inspection, each student was given their name tags for their uniforms, signifying completion of New Student Orientation.  The students were then given an academic success brief by the unit commanding officer and executive officer, followed by a tour of the university's library.  The students got time after that with the 4th class adviser to learn about study habits and how to do well in their first semester here at Mizzou.  The NSO Honor Squad, the squad that performed the best during NSO, were then awarded a ribbon that can be worn on their uniform.  The students were then debriefed individually by their midshipman squad leaders on their performance this past week and were given feedback on how to do better and succeed in this battalion.  NSO concluded with a meet and greet between the students and the rest of the battalion.  This week was long and tiring for the students, but they exceeded the expectations that we had set for them.  They have been a great NSO class and we look forward to having them in this battalion along side us through their next four years here at the University of Missouri Naval ROTC Unit.

MIDN Colin Zychlewicz, NSO OIC
MIDN Matthew Lutz, NSO AOIC 

NSO Day 5: Practice Inspection

Today began with a Moto Run (short for "motivational") at 0545 led by the unit commanding officer.  The motivation was raised by the active duty Marines calling marching cadences.  The students were then released from PT to prepare their khaki uniforms for inspection, but not before they took a urinalysis.  The khaki uniform inspection was given at 1000 and immediately followed by a knowledge exam covering the chain of command.  Those who did not do well on uniform inspection returned at 1600 to be re-inspected.  The day wrapped up with a final knowledge exam covering the general orders of a sentry, uniform regulations, and other important knowledge.  After a long week, the students were able to relax a little today with their free time between inspections, but their free time tonight needs to be spent preparing their uniforms for an inspection given by the unit commanding officer tomorrow morning.

MIDN Colin Zychlewicz, NSO OIC
MIDN Matthew Lutz, NSO AOIC 

NSO Day 4: Marine Day

Today began with a motivating Medal of Honor run, in which citations of Medal of Honor recipients were read throughout the course.  The students were then driven out to Finger Lakes to begin Marine Day activities.  The students were issued MREs (Meal Ready to Eat) and began the morning classes with MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) training, classes on squad patrol, and classes on cover and concealment.  The students ate their MREs and began the afternoon classes, including a squad patrol through the woods, live fire on the range, and an endurance course.  The students traveled back to Crowder hall to be reissued their khaki trousers for the next day's uniform inspection.  The students did very well today, digging deep and showing us that they want to do well in this program.

MIDN Colin Zychlewicz, NSO OIC
MIDN Matthew Lutz, NSO AOIC