Tulane University - Jambalaya Yearbook (New Orleans, LA)

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On Beat with D B Commanding Officer Michael McGowan leads the Drum and Bugle Corps in practice drills. The Drill Team works hard to achieve a high level of precision in both marching and manipulating the rifle. are evaluated according to the ability to march and handle the rifles. In addition to drill meets, the Tulane Drill Team has earned a respectable reputation in this area for the annual Mardi Gras Drill Meet that is held in the spring. This event occurs at the site of the former Sugar Bowl Stadium. Although this invitational meet is predominantly attended by schools from the South, universities from different parts of the country come to New Orleans for the grand activities. The Tulane NROTC team has placed among the top five teams for the past three years, and it has brought home trophies for the past two years. Similar to the drill team, the Tulane Drum and Bugle Corps is also a group of very specialized members of the ROTC pro- gram. This dedicated group of musicians provides the music for all navy activities. The Drum and Bugle Co rps participates in both formal occasions and review ceremo- nies. This corps also provides the music for anniversary festivies. Among the many parades in which the Drum and Bugle Corps participates are, of course, the various springtime Mardi Gras parades. In these parades, the Drum and Bugle Corps represents both Tulane Univer- sity and the Navy ROTC units. This past September, these musicians were sched- uled to participate in the sesquicentennial activities on campus; the rain cancelled all plans, however, and the musicians did not get to add their touch to the celebration activities. Although no one saw the Drum and Bugle Corps on September 21 , it can be heard each Tuesday as the members lead the ROTC students onto Butler quad for drills. Both the Drill Team and the Drum and Bugle Corps are an integral part of the ROTC program, each contributing uniquely to the various activities of the Navy ROTC way of life at Tulane University. — M. Elvy

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■ Dedicated to Drill The Navy ROTC program was designed to put brass on people ' s shoulders. The bars signify a commissioned officer, and the pro- gram — an intensive, fouryear experience, prepares members for the physical and mental demands of the navy. Freshmen in the program are called mid- shipmen fourth class, and they rise through third and second class to the final first class in the senior year. As freshmen, both male and female recruits learn basic ROTC drills such as marching and customs and courte- sies, as well as other specialized skills. Dur- ing the first year, a midshipman studies the fundamentals of shipboard engineering, the history of sea power in past American wars and navigational skills. Those students who may later wish to join the marine corps must also learn the fundamentals of marine corps tactics in addition to the already heavy work load of the new midshipman fourth class. Two things that all midshipmen are re- quired to learn and practice, regardless of class or rank, are proper leadership and dis- cipline skills. Dressed in full uniform, they drill every Tuesday morning, while fresh- men also drill on Thursdays. This activity instills military discipline and helps the young men and women build confidence and leadership abilities. The Tulane ROTC Drill Team is a group of students who make up a specialty unit dedi- cated to proficiency in drill with a rifle. The drill team hosts meets and travels to other meets around the country. In these meets, the team participates in various competi- tions that judge the accuracy with which the rifles are handled. The competitions are usually divided into three categories — indi- vidual, squads consisting of approximately five drill team members and platoons con- sisting of approximately fifteen members. Both the individual a nd group competitions 178 drill team-drum bugle liROTC DRILL TEAM: Front Row: Don Gish, Steve Dilossi, Chris Bazin, Mark Methern, Neil Carries, Daniel Doll, Dave McCracken; Back Row: Will York (HQCO), Gene Bagot, William Treating, Anthony Carey, Midshipman Walker, Sean Pechon, Michael Chalfant, Michael Schmitz, Paul Derkert (DTXO), Aaron Slaughter (DTCO). NROTC DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS: Front Row: Ron Coons, Keith Allen, Russell Roby, Robert Hence; Middle Row: Elizabeth Severs, Sue Moeller, Kim Wood, Kevin Mahne (DBXO), Victor Malone (HQXO), Michael McGowan (DBCO); Back Row: Robert Bordelon, Chris Kethan, Anthony Berard, Doreen Jones, Michael Malarkey (HQPO).

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MOIVIENT . HAppENINq 180 happenings