Marine Options

The Marines are the best, most elite military force in the world. To lead Marines requires a brand of leadership, a way of responding to challenging circumstances, that can be taught only in the Marine Corps' officer programs. Your reward as a Marine Officer is knowing that you're among the best of the best.

On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress resolved that two battalions of Marines be raised to serve during the war between Great Britain and the Colonies. They further resolved that this force be acquainted with maritime operations in order to serve aboard naval vessels. Thus, the United States Marine Corps has always been an expeditionary naval force ready to defend the nation's interests overseas.

Our expeditionary naval capabilities are critical in a world where 70% of the world's countries are located within 200 miles of the coast. Come to school as a Marine Option at Maine Maritime Academy and you are 200 feet from the coast... You'll learn the fundamentals of sailing, logistics, and nautical science while acquiring a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine License. The United States Marines excel at small vessel operations... There's no finer Maritime Academy than Maine Maritime for teaching you the basics in a hands on go to sea environment.

The common denominator is leadership. Marine Officers are required to be leaders and are selected on their potential leadership qualities. After selection and commissioning, the Marine Corps will spend approximately one year training you as a Second Lieutenant prior to taking charge of enlisted Marines. Our training is tough. It has to be; Marine Officers take on responsibility well beyond their years. Here at Maine Maritime we give you a leg up. After all, over 300 Marines stormed the British fortifications here in Castine back in 1779, and the lessons we learned then haven't been forgotten today.

As we move into the 21st century, we face a rapidly changing world with complex situations. Our focus must be on training people to make sound decisions under rapidly changing conditions. The Marine Corps must be prepared for what may be called a "three-block war." On one block we may deliver humanitarian assistance to help people survive. Moments later, on the next block, we may be called upon to take a harder line as a peace-keeping force. Finally, if hostilities do erupt, we must be able to win mid-intensity battles on a third block. To effectively make the right decision for the situations we face on each block requires a sharp and agile mind, and the ability to take charge.

If you are interested in being one of us - developing your self-discipline, your decision-making ability, and your leadership - consider attending Maine Maritime as a Marine Option Midshipman or as a participant in the MECEP active duty commissioning program. Keep an open mind; the Marine Corps is unlike anything you have ever experienced. We offer no excuses, and we take none. We make Marines and we win battles. No compromises.

When trouble comes to our country there will be Marines... somewhere... who, through hard work, have made and kept themselves ready to do something useful about it, and do it at ONCE!

Knowledge

OATH OF OFFICE

I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter, so help me God.

General Orders

1. To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing everything that takes place within sight and hearing.
3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guard house than my own.
5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.
6. To receive, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the deck, and all officers and noncommissioned officers of the watch only.
7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
9. To call the officer of the deck in any case not covered by instructions.
10. To salute all officers, all colors and all standards not cased.
11. To be especially watchful at night, and during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post, and to allow no one to pass without the proper authority.

Code of Conduct

1. I am an American fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
2. I will never surrender of my own free will. If I am in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
3. If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
4. If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
5. When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
6. I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

Leadership Traits

1. BEARING: creating a favorable impression in carriage, appearance, and personal conduct at all times.
2. COURAGE: the mental quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism, but enables a man to proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.
3. DECISIVENESS: the ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in a clear, forceful manner.
4. DEPENDABILITY: the certainty of proper performance of duty.
5. ENDURANCE: the mental and physical stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress, and hardship.
6. ENTHUSIASM: the display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of duty.
7. INITIATIVE: taking action in the absence of orders.
8. INTEGRITY: uprightness and soundness of moral principles; the quality of truthfulness and honesty.
9. JUDGMENT: the ability to weigh facts and possible solutions on which to base sound decisions.
10. JUSTICE: giving reward and punishment according to the merits of the case in question: the ability to administer a system of rewards and punishment impartially.
11. KNOWLEDGE: understanding of a science or art; the range of one's information.
12. LOYALTY: the quality of faithfulness to country, the service, the unit, one's seniors, and one's subordinates.
13. TACT: the ability to deal with others with respect.
14. UNSELFISHNESS: avoidance of providing for one's own comfort and personal advancement at the expense of others.

Leadership Principles

1. Know yourself and seek self improvement.
2. Be technically and tactically proficient.
3. Seek responsibility for your actions.
4. Make sound and timely decisions.
5. Set the example.
6. Know your troops and look out for their welfare.
7. Keep your troops informed.
8. Develop a sense of responsibility in your subordinates.
9. Insure the task is understood, supervised, and accomplished.
10. Train your troops as a team.
11. Employ your command in accordance with its capabilities.

Chain of Command

President of the United States
The Honorable Mr. Obama

Vice President of the United States
The Honorable Mr. Biden

Secretary of Defense
The Honorable Mr. Panetta

Secretary of the Navy
The Honorable Mr. Ray Mabus

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
GENERAL Dempsey, USA

Chief of Naval Operations
ADM Greenert, USN

Commandant of the Marine Corps
GEN Amos, USMC

Chief of Naval Education and Training
RADM Kilkenny, USN

Anchors Aweigh

Stand, Navy, out to sea,

Fight our battle cry.

We'll never change our course,

So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y.

Roll out the TNT, Anchors Aweigh.

Sail on to victory and sink their bones to Davy Jones, hooray!

Anchors Aweigh my boys, Anchors Aweigh.

Farewell to college joys,

We sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay.

Through our last night on shore,

Drink to the foam.

Until we meet once more,

Here's wishing you a happy voyage home. 

Marine hymn

From the Halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli,

We fight our country's battles

In the air, on land, and sea.

First to fight for right and freedom,

And to keep our honor clean,

We are proud to claim the title

Of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurl'd to every breeze

From dawn to setting sun;

We have fought in every clime and place

Where we could take a gun.

In the snow of far-off northern lands

And in sunny tropic scenes,

You will find us always on the job

The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps

Which we are proud to serve;

In many a strife we've fought for life

And never lost our nerve.

If the Army and the Navy

Ever look on Heaven's scenes,

They will find the streets are guarded

By United States Marines.

Rocks and Shoals

Midshipman will always carry a black pen and paper while in uniform.

Midshipman will always have their I.D. card in the left breast pocket of their uniform (Eagle up, Face out).

Midshipman will only wear prescription eye wear while in uniform. Conservative sunglasses are permitted; faddish and colorful sunglasses are not. However, sunglasses are not allowed in any formation.

Midshipman will not walk on grass while in uniform.

Midshipman will knock three times on a hatch prior to requesting permission to enter.

Midshipman will not wear covers or any other headgear in battalion spaces or naval science classes.

Midshipman Officers are called "Sir" or "Ma'am" while in uniform. Those who are not officers are referred to as "Mr." or "Miss."

When walking with a superior, the superior is always on the right side; this is the position of honor.

When a Unit Officer enters or leaves the Battalion Office, "Attention on Deck" will be called.

There will be no use of any form of tobacco while in battalion spaces.

Midshipman will conform to U.S. Navy / Marine Corps' grooming standards.

Firearm Regulations

Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.

Never point the weapon at anything that you do not intend to shoot.

Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to fire.

Keep the weapon on safe until you intend to fire.

Physical Fitness

Our goal here at the NROTC Unit is to provide instruction in physical fitness that ultimately results in the midshipmen becoming healthier, faster, and stronger WITHOUT injury. That process is a combination of individual effort and group athletics in a structured goal oriented program. 

Unit Info

Commanding Officer
Captain Tom Buterbaugh

Executive Officer
Commander Henry Stewart

NROTC Unit flyer

Students accepted to MMA

The Eagle