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Cornell University

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps

NROTC at Cornell University

Life as a Midshipman

As a midshipman at Cornell NROTC, you will be responsible for both Cornell’s academic requirements and your NROTC commitments. For example, you are expected to take Naval science courses, attend weekly drill labs, and uphold PT standards on top of your regular course load. Additionally, many midshipmen hold billets within the unit such as battalion commander, squad leader, public affairs officer, or physical training instructor. Here are some examples of a midshipman’s daily schedules and experiences in the unit: 

A Day in the Life of Midshipman Lee

Hello, my name is Kingmin Lee and I am a senior Navy Option Midshipman at Cornell NROTC. My hometown is Los Angeles, CA. I am in the Dyson School, studying Applied Economics and Management with a concentration in finance.

My day on Tuesday starts off at 0700 when I wake up for my Naval Science Class (NAVS) from 0800-0900, which is Naval Operations and Seamanship this semester. It is taught by Captain Roach and Lieutenant Mansfield. It’s designed to teach us the important basics of the US Navy’s communication at sea, navigation theory, general ship handling, and the doctrines to which we are upheld to. All MIDN have to take a NAVS course every semester that is taught by the active duty staff. The goal is to teach and develop us into future officers in the Navy and Marine Corps. The other obligations to NROTC are a one credit drill lab on Wednesday afternoons 1440-1640 and PT on Friday mornings 0600-0700.

After my NAVS class ends at 0900, I walk over to Trillium with a few midshipmen to grab breakfast. We talk about classes and things we’re looking forward to throughout the week. Before I even know it, it’s time for my Corporate Financial Reporting class at 0940 inside of Warren Hall. Right after, I have my favorite class, Energy Economics. It teaches you about energy markets from an economic and business perspective. Then, I make my way to my fourth class of the day, Introduction to Personality. Finally, I have Surveillance and Privacy class at 1445. Tuesdays and Thursdays can get a little rough with five back to back classes, but seeing my friends make it all the better.

I go back to my house in Collegetown to make dinner from my weekend grocery run to Trader Joe’s. The grind doesn’t stop there because I am usually catching up on readings and starting problem sets before I attend professors’ and TAs’ office hours. I try to get as much done as possible before I go to Water Polo practice from 2000-2200. Usually by the end of practice, I get too tired to do more work for the day. Water Polo is an outlet for me to get competitive in a friendly setting. It’s always motivating to get a tough workout in with your teammates.

I am also an avid snowboarder, so during the winter, I drive up to Greek Peak three times a week to get some runs in. It’s only a half hour drive so it’s very feasible to go during the school week when I get out of classes early. Having a warm weather and cold weather activity, I would say is important to getting the most out of your Cornell experience.

In all, I have enjoyed my years here at Cornell NROTC and the Dyson School. I made a lot of lifelong friends that push me to become better every single day and learned a lot about myself in that process. Life as a midshipman is not the easiest, however, there is no doubt it is the most rewarding.

A Day in the Life of Midshipman Gaither

My name is Susanna Gaither and I am a MIDN 2/C Navy option at Cornell. Each day here has a lot more variety than my days in high school, but some things stay the same. If it’s Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, I wake up at around 0500 to have time to prep and travel to Marine Option or Battalion PT at 0600. It’s usually a little rough up until I get there, and then the sight of my classmates and the endorphins from a good workout put me in a good mood. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I head next to my Naval Science class at 0700. This semester it’s Naval Ship Systems Engineering taught by LT Mansfield, and we’re learning about the basic structure of ship engines. After that, I usually grab breakfast with my class at Trillium and head to the library to get some emails sent and work done.

Next up I’ve got Cornell classes. This semester I’m taking fluid dynamics, statistics, and microbiology to work toward my Environmental Engineering degree. I like feeling like I’m stretching all of my different sides throughout the day, and working the student part usually feels really good. After classes, I head home. I live off-campus at the nordic ski house, and it’s nice to get away for a bit and get a few hours of homework in before cooking, going on a run, or heading to work at Schoellkopf. After work, I finish any schoolwork I need to, prep for the next day, and head to bed so that I’m ready to start again the next day. Each day is long, but also incredibly rewarding. I feel deeply grateful for the different communities I’m a part of at Cornell, and for the challenges, growth, and camaraderie that NROTC brings to my life.

A Day in the Life of Midshipman Powers

My name is Carly Powers and I am a third-class MIDN Navy option at Cornell. My typical Wednesday begins at around 5:30 in the morning when I wake up to the sound of my alarm. I then quickly get ready for the day, putting on my NWUs and packing my bag (all NROTC MIDN wear their uniforms during the day on Wednesdays). Next, I catch a ride to my naval science class, Leadership and Management with a couple other MIDN. Class goes from 6:30-7:45, and then I usually do work topside (the MIDN lounge) for about an hour until my next class at 9:00. At 9:00 I have my Human Resources lecture, which is then followed up with a breakfast burrito at Trillium (highly recommend, it’s the best breakfast burrito I’ve ever had!). My next class is my Physics lecture which goes until around 12 pm. After physics, I have a long break until I have to go to Navy Drill Lab at 2:40pm. This break is usually spent getting coffee and doing homework. Drill Lab ends at 4:40pm and then I usually head home to the house I live in with my friends. We would then make dinner at around 6:00pm and either study or watch a movie. At 8:00pm, I have club swim practice for 2 hours which is always a lot of fun. After practice I go home and usually head straight to bed after a busy day.

A Day in the Life of Midshipman Haims

My name is Jason Haims and I am a fourth-class MIDN Marine option at Cornell. A normal day for me starts off with a 5am alarm (and making sure my Marine Option roommate gets up) followed by a walk with my fellow MIDN to Barton Hall for Marine Option PT. There we warm-up, do the workout, cool down, then get back to our dorms to prepare for the school day. By then I’m usually pretty hungry so I get some food in me before heading to class at the Hotel School. The walk to class is nice as it clears my head a little before hours of classes. After a few fun classes full of asking questions, taking notes, and engaging in interesting dialogue, I typically go to The Terrace restaurant below the Statler Hotel to eat and hang out with some friends.

Now with the school day over, I get back to my dorm (sometimes to take a nap) and start my homework or go to the gym to get a lift in. Next is dining hall time. Diet is critical to staying healthy and productive so I typically eat pretty well. For all meals of the day I target large amounts of protein to support my workout regimen and good non-processed carbohydrates like rice and vegetables. I’ve also found that supplementing with protein powder, vitamins, and concentrated greens powder helps me get all the nutrients I need. After dinner, I typically spend some time finishing up homework or hanging out with friends before getting to bed. Before I fall asleep I like to relax by listening to a podcast or audiobook which is a nice way to end a busy day and get ready for the following early morning wake up.