Rice University Naval ROTC

Rice NROTC proudly congratulates our newly commissioned officers: 2ndLt Burrola (USMC), ENS Paci (USN), ENS Roberts (USN), and ENS Tondera (USN). We look forward to seeing the great things you’ll achieve in the fleet! 🍾
•
•
•
•
•

Our Marine options recently took on Texas A&M’s Field Training Exercise (FTX), immersing themselves in a whirlwind of challenges that pushed their skills to new heights. From tactical maneuvers to leadership trials, every moment was a test of what they’ve learned through the entire year💪⚓️
•
•
•
•

MarineCorps
Journey

Celebrating remarkable dedication and achievements!⭐️On April 20, we held an awards ceremony where we spotlighted the exceptional efforts of our midshipmen and MECEPs. It was truly a special moment, a chance to recognize their unwavering commitment and commend their relentless pursuit of success. Cheers to their hard work and inspiring journey ahead!🎉. .
•
•
•
•
•

This Week Rice NROTC participated in the annual Joint Forces Cup against Army and Air Force ROTC. After a very intense and hard fought battle in events such as soccer, ultimate frisbee and a gruesome MOG mile. Rice NROTC brought back home the trophy!🏆
•
•
•
•
•

Last month the Navy option MIDN from the Rice and Prairie View A&M Units participated in the Navy Training Exercise at the Rice Unit. During this training, MIDN practiced damage control, shiphandling, weapons handling, and working in teams to solve tactical scenarios. Thank you for the valuable weapons handling lesson!

Watch our stories to see the dares take place!

Today’s 1/C Spotlight is MIDN Lee!

Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Major: Political Science and Asian Studies, minor in naval science
Notable Extracurricular Activities: Manado House Church in New Life Fellowship, Co-President of the Korean Student Association
Best memory of NROTC: Any tactical decision game!

This August he will be commissioning into the Navy as a Pilot. He is hoping to fly Growlers!

Today’s 1/C Spotlight is MIDN Roberts!

Hometown: Corning, NY
Major: Earth Science BA with a minor in Naval Science
Notable Extracurricular Activities: Women in Lifting club
Best memory of ROTC: Military ball in 2023; got to change into dresses and enjoy everyone’s company. 

This May she will be commissioning into the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO)!

On 02MAR, the Rice Midshipmen organized a car wash fundraiser. The money went to the Midshipman Fund, which helps us pay for training events, unit attire, and birthday balls. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our midshipmen! And special thanks to and the Hanszen Magisters for their support in making this event happen.

Last week, two Navy SEALs led the Houston Consortium Midshipmen in a Grit PT followed by a Q&A session about the Naval Special Warfare community. This was a unique opportunity that focused on accomplishing tasks through teamwork and effective communication. Thank you for the insightful experience and tough workout.

This week, 2 of our 1/C Midshipmen participated in the SWO ship selection process. MIDN Tondera selected USS San Diego and MIDN Roberts selected USS New Orleans. Members of the unit enjoyed observing the process and supporting their fellow Midshipmen. Congratulations to you both!

On 09FEB - 11FEB, two of our 1/C midshipmen attended the Notre Dame Leadership Conference along with two midshipmen from Prairie View . They had the opportunity to listen to amazing speakers and connect with other midshipmen from across the country, and brought back valuable lessons to share with the unit.

Today’s 1/C Spotlight is MIDN Paci!

Hometown: Washington, DC
Major: Chemical Engineering
Notable Extracurricular Activities: Cooking, hiking, running
Best memory of NROTC: paintball, M.E.A.T. Nights, submarine summer cruises.

This May he will be commissioning into the Navy as a Submarine Officer!

Today’s 1/C Spotlight is MIDN Tondera!

Hometown: Missouri City, TX
Major: Mechanical Enginneering w/ minor in Mathematics
Notable Extracurricular Activities: Ironman Triathlete, Cycling and Swim Instructor, Personal Trainer, bike mechanic
Best memory of NROTC: During the FEX that one year where it was Capt Collins’s birthday and LT Winters smashed his face with a birthday cake.

This May she will be commissioning into the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO)!

On Thursday, 18 JAN, the Houston Consortium awarded Midshipmen and MECEPs for their hard work and dedication during the fall semester during a unit award ceremony. Students were recognized for physical fitness, academics, and color guard performance. SSgt Franco received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Congratulations to everyone.

On Sunday, January 14, four of our Midshipmen and one of our officers participated in the Houston Marathon / Half-Marathon. Congratulations to MIDN Tondera, MIDN Paci, and MIDN Westphal for completing the marathon, and to LT Davis and MIDN Venkateswaran for completing the half-marathon. Your dedication to training yourselves mentally and physically is highly commendable and inspires other midshipmen to better themselves

On Friday, December 15, the Rice NROTC Unit commissioned 3 new officers into the USMC. Congratulations to 2ndLt Raines, 2ndLt Segura, and 2ndLt Salyards. We greatly appreciate your dedication as leaders and look forward to seeing you succeed as Marine Corps officers.

We recently had a car wash fundraiser at Rice University. The money went to the Midshipman Fund, which helps us pay for training events, uniforms, and birthday balls. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our midshipmen! And special thanks to and for their support in making this event happen

We are proud to highlight SSgt Allen Salyards in our Senior Spotlight. Hailing from Conroe, Texas, SSgt Salyards has played a pivotal role as our Midshipman Staff Advisor, leveraging his invaluable fleet experiences. Beyond his unit duties, he's been an active Campus Recreation Advisory Board member since 2022. He has been the Coordinator for Adaptive Athletics at the University of Houston. His contributions extend to organizing national tournaments for wheelchair athletes. Among his cherished moments was participating in the Travis Manion 5K Run alongside fellow consortium members. Academically, SSgt Salyards will graduate with a major in Kinesiology with a focus on Exercise Science, displaying remarkable dedication. As he anticipates commissioning this Fall semester, SSgt Salyards eagerly looks forward to reporting to The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

On November 4, 2023, we commemorated the 248th birthday of the Marine Corps, graciously hosted by the Marine Corps Coordinating Council. We extend heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to making this event a delightful evening filled with reminiscence and jubilation.

Over the past summer, MIDN Lara, Le, Lee, and Westphal participated in Marine Month at Camp Pendleton. This training, undertaken by 2/C Marine option MIDN before their junior year, was designed to prepare them for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and future deployment in the fleet. The program involved a diverse range of activities: training on rifle, handgun, and machine gun ranges, experiencing flights on Huey and Osprey aircraft, engaging in explosives training at a demolition range, practicing urban operations with blanks and paint rounds in the Infantry Immersion Trainer, field exercises involving tactics and simulated combat scenarios, meetings with Marine officers from various fields to learn about their Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs), and taking on leadership roles from squad leader to company commander.

Last month, our consortium members opened a recruiting tent at the Wings Over Houston Air Show.

We're thrilled to spotlight MIDN 1/C Yanari Raines, hailing from Kalamazoo, Michigan, for her outstanding achievements.
As our Midshipman Executive Officer, she has showcased exceptional vigilance and organizational prowess. Beyond her leadership role, she's an aspiring bodybuilder, embracing the challenges of college life with a passion for weightlifting.
Her most cherished memory stems from her arrival at Marine Corps Base Quantico, where the unwavering unit support fortified her confidence.
With a Psychology major and Naval Science minor, her academic pursuits stand out. As she gears up for commissioning this Fall semester, she eagerly awaits reporting to The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. MIDN Raines embodies dedication, resilience, and a commitment to excellence, paving the way for a promising future in the Marine Corps.
Congratulations on your remarkable journey, MIDN Raines!

On the 14th of November, 2023, one of our MECEPs was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. GySgt Hawkins was pinned by his wife, and GySgt Barrea USMC Ret. Congratulations to GySgt Hawkins on your well-deserved promotion. Semper Fi!

To remember those who have gone before us to make the ultimate sacrifice, we were given the opportunity to present the American flag to Staff Sergent Rodgers Rodrigez USAF Ret.

📸:

Last month, our Navy and Marine options participated in Texas A&M's bi-annual Field Training Exercise (FTX). The purpose of the FTX is to challenge midshipmen with team-based tasks related to what they have learned from their Naval Science Classes and Leadership Labs.

📸:

Over the past weekend, our consortium members dedicated their time and energy to volunteering with veterans and Habitat for Humanity to construct homes. This not only allowed us to make a difference in our community but also provided an opportunity to connect with fellow military members who share our commitment to service.

To raise awareness about domestic violence, our consortium members joined the "Carry the Weight" event, a 3.8-mile ruck march symbolizing the 20,000 daily phone calls received by the domestic violence hotline.

Last Tuesday, we conducted a Leadership Reaction Course (LRC) comprising comprehensive exercises, including a memorization challenge, Buddy Rushing, and PMARCHP activities.

This morning, our unit paid tribute to the tragic events of 9/11 and honored the brave individuals who have dedicated themselves to safeguarding our freedom and democracy. Remembering the heroic firefighters who ascended the Twin Towers, we climbed the stairs of Rice Stadium. This remembrance and solidarity is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served before us.