ROTC celebrates birthday of Navy, Marines

The students and officers of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps donned their navy-blue dress uniforms Saturday night in celebration of the birthdays of the Navy and Marine Corps. The annual Birthday Ball was held at the City Tavern on 2nd and Walnut streets. According to Commanding Officer Capt. Michael Tollefson, a ROTC-affiliated social event is held each semester in order to "expose the ROTC members to some of the military traditions they will meet upon graduation." "It definitely helps the morale to be able to get together in a social setting for a birthday party," he said. Tollefson explained that ROTC offers students valuable experience, preparing them for the Navy and Marine Corps. "The Navy and the Marine Corps need people from the Ivy League just as much as they need people from the Naval Academy," he said. While social training and tradition were important aspects of the affair, a "deeper meaning" exists, according to Major Hank Fischer, Marine officer instructor for the Naval-ROTC unit at the University. Fischer spoke to those in attendance, specifically the ROTC students -- also known as midshipmen, about being a Marine and the duties that accompany the title. "You are going to make a commitment that you will seal with your life," he said. "And it's nights like tonight that allow us to come together and reaffirm that." This sentiment was shared by College senior and Battalion Commander Eric Syverson. "This is so important because when we commit ourselves, we're accepting the possibility of giving our lives," he said. "This is an opportunity to relax and enjoy each other's company, knowing that someday we may not have this freedom, and remembering those who have before us given up their freedoms." Saturday was the exact anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Marine Corps. "Literally every single marine in the world is celebrating in some fashion, today -- the heritage, tradition and history of the Marine Corps," Fischer said. Taking part in the night's tradition was College freshman and midshipman Phoebe Choi. Choi and Tollefson, the youngest and oldest ROTC affiliates present, cut the first slice of cake together. "It was a great honor to celebrate the birthday of the Navy and Marine Corps," Choi said. "Especially with the captain." College senior and ROTC Midshipman Terry O'Connor said she appreciated the break from the usual pressure of ROTC training. "It's a chance to see each other in a social setting," she said. "Here, we're all on an equal kind of ground."