Naval ROTC

The Mission of the Naval ROTC Unit headquartered at the University of Missouri is to develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically, and to imbue them with the highest ideals of honor courage and commitment. Our goal is to commission as officers, college graduates who possess both a liberal and technically professional background, awareness of human relations, a motivation towards a career and the potential for furthur development in mind and character needed to assume the highest responsibility of command, citizenship and government.

United States Navy

The Constitution of the United States empowers the Congress to "provide and maintain a Navy." In exercising that power, Congress, in Title 10 of of U.S. Code, directs the Navy to "be organized, trained and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained combat incident to operations at sea." To carry out that mission successfully, the Navy must organize, maintain and equip its forces in a way that most effectively achieves maritime superiority.

United States Marine Corps

Historically, Marine Corps preparedness has generally been characterized by the phrase, "The First to Fight." Marines are trained, organized and equipped for offensive amphibious employment and as a "force in readiness." Officially, the mission of the Marine Corps is set forth in the National Security Act of 1947 as amended by (1952).

The key parts of the act include:

"The Qualities of An Officer"

based on the letters of John Paul Jones

"It is by no means enough that an officer of the Navy should be a capable mariner, but also a great deal more. He should be as well a gentleman of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy and the nicest sense of personal honor.

He should be the soul of tact, patience, justice, firmness, and charity. No meritorious act of a subordinate should escape his attention or be left to pass without its reward, even if the reward is only a word of approval. Conversely, he should not be blind to a single fault in any subordinate, though, at the same time, he should be quick and unfailing to distinguish error, thoughtlessness from incompetence and well meant shortcoming from heedless or stupid blunder."

A Naval Officer's Allegiance to the Flag

by Charles C. Jones, Southern Historian

The allegiance of a Naval officer to the flag of his country is more absolute than that of a soldier or civilian. In the very nature of the case that symbol of nationality, borne aloft upon the high seas and receiving tributes of respect wherever displayed in distant ports, comes to be regarded as the ever present proof of a people's entity, as the blazon of that people's honor and power. To bear it nobly and - away from government officials - under sudden and trying circumstances, to maintain its dignity unsullied, is the pride of the true Sailor. To extend its protection and relief in lonely places, is his frequent duty. To uphold it manfully in the face of opposition is his special trust. Bound up in that flag are his highest and holiest hopes. It gladdens his eye in the sunshine of peace, and covers his head in the day of battle. He rejoices in the deep-toned thunders which salutes its presence, and glories in the grand defiance, which leaps from under its folds. His world lies within its shadow. Its service in his reward, and by this token are his companionships confirmed.