KOA O KE KAI - WARRIORS FROM THE SEA
Experience the Education of a Lifetime at UH Mānoa
About Us
Founded in 2021, the Koa O Ke Kai Battalion is proud to claim the title of the nation’s newest Naval ROTC unit. Already boasting a student body of more than 40 midshipmen, the University of Hawaii’s NROTC unit is poised for success.
Led by an experienced and dedicated staff and armed with a host of unique opportunities for training, programs, and internships, our midshipmen are well prepared to lead the next generation of Marines and Sailors – safeguarding our way of life.
Find your future in the gem of the Pacific. Contact us today!
Mission of the Naval ROTC Program.
To develop young men and women morally, mentally, and physically, and to instill in them the highest ideals of honor, courage, and commitment. The program educates and trains young men and women for leadership positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps!
Aloha! E Komo Mai!
June 7th 📝
Come experience the University of Hawaii’s Reserve Officers Training Corps!
This event is open to students interested in applying for the 4-year ROTC scholarship for Army, Navy, or Marine Corps. Experience the life of a UH ROTC student with physical fitness, ROTC facility tours and interaction with students and the active duty staff!
#nrotcscholarship #KoaOKeKai #UniversityofHawaii #UniversityofHawaiiROTC #UniversityofHawaiiArmy #UniversityofHawaiiNavy #UniversityofHawaiiMarines #ROTC #HawaiiROTC
www.hawaii.edu/news/2024/05/14/nrotc-commissions-3-naval-officers/
UH Mānoa NROTC commissions 3 new naval officers | University of Hawaiʻi System News
www.hawaii.edu
Zachary Barto, Chase Roche and Jacob Simmons achieved the rank of ensign in the U.S. Navy during a ceremonial event on May 13.Congratulations!!
Congratulations!!!
Congrats 🤙🤙🤙
Let’s dive into this Friday 🙌
Our final #AlmostFriday! Come back during the Fall Semester for more.
Congratulations to our April Midshipman of the Month, MIDN 4/C Tiana Dayrit-Fuimaono!
MIDN 2/C Nauta expresses, “All semester she has been a tremendous help to the unit. She has shown a selfless attitude and demonstrated initiative in all her efforts, going above and beyond as the Assistant Operations Officer.”
Major: Political Science
Branch of Service: Navy
Desired Selection: Surface Warfare
Most memorable moment of the semester: “Being able to contribute so much to the dining out, whether setting up or helping the staff, I enjoyed seeing it all come together. And of course, the dining out itself was so much fun!”
A word of Advice: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help! We are still learning and growing, so we should never be afraid to ask questions.”
#UHNROTC #KoaOKeKaiBattalion #nrotc #midshipmanofthemonth
⚓️ Firstie Friday: MIDN 1/C Zachary Barto ⚓️
MIDN Barto serves as the Koa O Ke Kai Battalion Community Service Officer. He hails from Phoenix, Arizona and is majoring in Biology. MIDN Barto is the first midshipman from UHNROTC to be service selected into submarines. He will continue his personal and professional journey as he heads down to Charleston, South Carolina to start Nuclear Power School after graduation.
Favorite memory in NROTC: “Watching our fellow 1/C, now ENS Vongsy commission because it really put into perspective how close to that I was. It helped me realize that it was going to be me soon and that it was all working towards something!”
Favorite Quote: “Those who do not remember their history, are condemned to repeat it.” -George Santaya
Advice for prospective MIDN: “Don’t get caught up in the future, ROTC is short. Have fun, work hard and do your best! Strive to do better every day, work hard, and learn from mistakes. You can’t stop mistakes, but you can learn from them.”
#UHNROTC is committed to leading, training, and preparing prospective naval officers by emphasizing academic excellence, physical fitness, and leadership skills.
#FirstieFriday #koaokekaibattalion #usnavysubmarines #navalreserveofficerstrainingcorps #midshipman
I was a nuke EM1/SS, nuclear is a challenging course whether enlisted or officer but it has great dividends!
What is there not to be proud of with this young man? 🥰
Farewell LT Bilinski! ⚓️🌅
The #KoaOKeKaiBattalion bid LT Bilinski farewell during the last leadership lab of the Spring semester before he departs #UHNROTC. Commanding Officer, CAPT Paul Bandini USN, awards LT Bilinski with the Navy commendation medal.
LT Bilinski served as a mentor and academic advisor since the unit’s inception. He taught the Naval Science Navigations course and founded the midshipmen sailing club as well. LT Bilinski also spearheaded the recruiting team by developing an organized team of midshipmen to interact with prospective midshipmen.
The Navy Commendation Medal is awarded for exceptional service, recognizing individuals who demonstrate outstanding performance beyond standard expectations in challenging conditions.
#UHNROTC is committed to leading, training, and preparing prospective naval officers by emphasizing academic excellence, physical fitness, and leadership skills.
#fairwindsandfollowingseas #submarinenavalofficer #meritoriousservice #universityofhawaiiatmanoa #navalreserveofficerstrainingcorps #hooyahnavy
Oh so very proud!!! Love the rock🙂
Awesome job Sir! Thank you 🤙🤙🤙
Good luck!
Spring 2024 Squad Competition 💪🏆
Members of @UHM_army_rotc, Navy ROTC, and Marine Corps ROTC, compete in a squad competition. The Marine Corps ROTC midshipmen placed first.
The events included a sprint relay race, tug of war, tire flip, swim relay, ammo can brick push and a knowledge assessment.
Squad competitions build camaraderie between branches and foster healthy rivalries. Yet, beyond the rivalry lies a deep respect forged in shared sacrifice and dedication. Together, we elevate each other, embodying the epitome of strength in unity.
#uhnrotc is committed to leading, training, and preparing prospective Naval officers by emphasizing academic excellence, physical fitness and leadership skills.
#squadcompetition #armyversusnavy #navalreserveofficerstrainingcorps #marinerotc
⚓️ Firstie Friday: MIDN 1/C Jacob Simmons ⚓️
MIDN Simmons serves as the Koa O Ke Kai Battalion Admin/Academic Officer. He hails from Austin, Texas and is majoring in History. MIDN Simmons service selected to become a naval flight officer. He will continue his personal and professional journey as he heads down to Pensacola, Florida to start flight school after graduation.
Favorite Memories in NROTC: “I have three: ENS Vongsy’s commissioning, it was like seeing your older sister/best friend go off to college. She set the bar so high for us and we’re all so proud of her. Secondly, our first EVER dining out! I had so much fun and I got to hang out with the best group of young men and women I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, And lastly, those early morning PTs that LT Smith and LT Bilinski used to run when I was a 4/C. Those days were so new and special, so I will treasure those PT memories always.”
Favorite Quote: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” -J. R. R. Tolkien
Advice for prospective MIDN: “Find something you love doing. Whether it’s crushing it at the gym or hiking in the amazing landscape Hawaii has to offer, find something. College and life are too short not to have something you love doing, and do it as much as you can. ”
#UHNROTC is committed to leading, training, and preparing prospective naval officers by emphasizing academic excellence, physical fitness, and leadership skills.
#FirstieFriday #koaokekaibattalion #usnavalflightofficer #navalreserveofficerstrainingcorps #midshipman
Hang in there midshipmen… it’s #AlmostFriday
#UHNROTC is committed to leading, training, and preparing prospective naval officers by emphasizing academic excellence, physical fitness, and leadership skills.
Guest speakers Colonel Schaefer and Sergeant Major Ortiz share insights to the #KoaOKeKaiBattalion at leadership lab.
Colonel Mark Schaefer enlisted in the Marine Corps reserves and started his career at Ground Repair School in 29 Palms CA. He eventually went to Officer Candidates School and commissioned as a second lieutenant. He worked as a signals intelligence officer and worked at the intelligence department.
Sergeant Major Ortiz enlisted in the Marine Corps as a field radio operator. He volunteered for the Marine security guard and has been deployed to numerous countries in the Middle East. He is currently stationed at Pacific Marines, Camp Smith in Hawai’i. Sergeant Major Ortiz spoke on the importance of accountability and integrity.
#universityofhawaiiatmanoa #marinerotc #semperfi #unitedstatesmarines #midshipmen
‼️Selling Krispy Kreme Donuts! 🍩‼️
The #KoaOKeKaiBattalion is selling Krispy Kreme donuts at UH Mānoa’s Campus Center by Starbucks!
$15 for one dozen 🍩
Come by and support our midshipmen today!
#UHNROTC is committed to leading, training, and preparing prospective naval officers by emphasizing academic excellence, physical fitness, and leadership skills.
⚓️ Firstie Friday: MIDN 1/C Chase Roche ⚓️
MIDN Roche serves as the Koa O Ke Kai Battalion Commanding Officer. He hails from Centreville, Virginia and is majoring in Chemistry. MIDN Roche service selected to become a Navy pilot. He will continue his personal and professional journey as a prospective aviator as he heads down to Pensacola, Florida to start flight school after graduation.
Favorite memory in NROTC: “The first annual Dining Out, it was amazing to see the culmination of a lot of people’s hard work and to spend a great night with everyone.”
Favorite Quote: “I think I can safely say nobody really understands quantum mechanics” -Richard Feynman, American Physicist
Advice for prospective MIDN: “ROTC is a learning experience, absorb as much as you can, understand you will make mistakes and to keep moving forward.”
#UHNROTC is committed to leading, training, and preparing prospective naval officers by emphasizing academic excellence, physical fitness, and leadership skills.
#FirstieFriday #koaokekaibattalion #usnavypilot #navalreserveofficerstrainingcorps #midshipman
Go C, Go! Fly Navy!
Summer Whites Inspection: ✅
The #koaokekaibattalion conducts their final uniform inspection of the Spring semester. Uniform inspections allow students to exemplify good order and keen attention to detail by ensuring a polished appearance.
#uhnrotc is committed to leading, training and preparing prospective naval officers by emphasizing academic excellence, physical fitness and leadership skills.
#summerwhites #UniformInspection #navalreserveofficerstrainingcorps #midshipmen #universityofhawaiiatmanoa #marinerotc
Is it Friday yet? #almostfriday
#uhnrotc is committed to leading, training, and preparing prospective naval officers by emphasizing academic excellence, physical fitness, and leadership skills.
#almostfriday
#uhnrotc is committed to leading, training, and preparing prospective naval officers by emphasizing academic excellence, physical fitness, and leadership skills.
Looks like the crew is letting loose!!
❤️🇺🇸
Congratulations to our March Midshipman of the Month, MIDN 4/C Jasbir Smith!
MIDN Smith’s squad leader, MIDN 3/C Sakamoto expresses, “Throughout our annual Spring Field Exercise (FEX), MIDN Smith consistently displayed leadership abilities and a commanding presence among his peers.”
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Branch of Service: Marine Corps
Desired Selection: Aviation
Most memorable moment of the semester:
“When we were 1.7 miles away from 9 miles and I thought that wasn’t so bad, but we ended up going 10.2 miles instead.”
A word of Advice:
“Don’t underestimate yourself.”
#UHNROTC #KoaOKeKaiBattalion #nrotc #midshipmanofthemonth
Marines as a Mechanical Engineer?!? Heck no, go SUBmarines!
❤️
US Navy METOC: Mapping oceans & detecting threats! 🗺️⚓️
Chief Aerographer’s Mate (AGC) Summerson gives a brief to #UHNROTC about the importance, duties, and mission of meteorology and oceanography (METOC) in the #USNavy.
AGC Summerson’s experience includes bathymetry with a Fleet Survey Team (FST) and oceanography with the Naval Oceanography Anti-Submarine Warfare Detachment (NOAD). He has mapped the ocean floor using echosounders which assisted in updating navigational charts. He has also analyzed ocean conditions and optimized strategies to locate threats.
UHNROTC is committed to leading, training and preparing prospective naval officers by emphasizing academic excellence, physical fitness and leadership skills.
#meteorologyandoceanography #METOC #NOAD #aerographersmate #universityofhawaiiatmanoa #navalreserveofficerstrainingcorps
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