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 Williamson
My name is Kylie Williamson, and I am a senior Navy option MIDN at Cornell. While my schedule shifts around depending on the day, my typical Tuesday starts with a 0500 wake up to get ready for Battalion PT. After catching a ride up to Barton and warming up, the battalion kicks off a group workout from 0600-0700, ranging from weighted vest runs to buddy strength circuits or even combat football. My first class of the day is Naval Operations and Seamanship at 0840, so I usually head back to my apartment for some breakfast beforehand. After a fun class spent learning the ins and outs of operating at sea with CAPT Mosbruger and LT Kinnunen, I have a quick break to grab a snack and catch up on work. Next up is my class on Soviet Russian history at 1140, one of my favorite classes I’ve taken so far! Then, once Intro to General Relativity ends at 1440, I’m all done with classes for the day and either head to the library or my apartment to get some homework done before dinner. After a good dinner with my roommates, I walk back up to campus for my shift at the Barton front desk for a few hours before heading over to Teagle to finish out the day at club water polo practice!
A Day in the Life of Midshipman Botello
My name is Mark Botello, and I am a second-class MIDN Marine option at Cornell. I’m currently a global development major working on a minor in business. A typical Tuesday for me starts with waking up at around 4:45 a.m. I head to Barton to help set up and then work out with the Battalion for PT. Depending on when my next class is, I’ll shower, grab breakfast either from Dunkin’ Donuts or a dining hall, and then get ready for classes. I usually have about three to four classes in a day, and throughout the day, I’ll stop back at my home in Collegetown to cook food, especially for lunch.
Around 2:30 p.m., I head over to the Big Red Snack Station at Bartels Hall to grab a couple of snacks before wrestling practice, which goes from about 4:30 to around 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays are hard practice days, so we really get after it and get a solid workout in. After practice, I go back home and cook dinner, making sure to have a big meal for recovery. Around 8:30 p.m., I start working on homework for a couple of hours, then head to bed and get ready for the next day.
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.
