The Great Hall of the Memorial Union was decorated with current Navy ROTC and Marine Midshipmen along with NROTC and Marine alumni as the 240th Navy and Marine Corps Birthday Ball commenced Saturday.

Tables set for eight and decorated with formal plating, coffee mugs and place cards lined the hall for the annual celebration of the Marine and Navy Birthday Ball.

The event, which was coordinated by Midshipman Jack Randall, senior in civil engineering, kicked off at 5 p.m. for a social hour as men and women in their best suits and dresses made their way to the ball.

History

Since Iowa State houses both the Navy and Marine ROTC units, they annually combine the Navy’s Oct. 13 birthday and the Marine Corps Nov. 10 birthday as they celebrate one big birthday ball.

This annual celebration commemorates years of services globally, as every naval services member polishes their shoes in preparation for their unit’s “birthday party.”

In 1921, Gen. John A. Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No.38, Series 1921, which outlined the history, mission and traditions of the Marine Corps. This order was to be read every year on their “birthday” to celebrate the founding of the Marine Corps.

The Navy, which celebrates its birthday a month before the Marines, aims to enhance an appreciation of naval heritage along with working toward a more positive influence that encourages pride and professionalism within their services, according to military.com.

Planning

Since event planning begins in September, many different aspects play into the evening to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

“First and most important is the guest speaker,” Randall said. “So usually a high-ranking military official, Marine Corp or Navy, that we can get to come in and say some inspiring words and get us all motivated.”

This year’s guest speaker was Col. Jeffrey Hagan, of the Marine Corps, who had received his commission from Iowa State’s own NROTC program in December 1988.

From there, gifts must be chosen and purchased for every guest and the guest speaker. This year, every guest received a complimentary travel coffee mug and Hagan, the guest speaker, received a special ISU fleece that was awarded to him by Levi Jorgensen, senior in industrial engineering, at the end of the ceremony.

Budgets for meals and other expenses also played a big role in the preparation for the ceremony, but Randall said one of the hardest parts in planning the ball was sending out the hundreds of invites to alumni and military contacts associated with the unit.

“We encourage the actual midshipmen of the unit to bring dates,” Randall said. The turnout this year was 222 people, which is the biggest Randall said he had ever seen.

The ceremony

The ball, which began with a social hour at 5 p.m. swiftly led into the ceremony at 6 p.m., which consisted of the playing of the national anthem, birthday messages and the cake-cutting ceremony.

After a 10-minute warning by Trevor Andersen, senior in electrical engineering, guests made their way to their seats as a moment of silence took place for their fallen comrades.

Those who had served were then asked to stand, followed by those who were the spouses of services members. The commanding officer, Capt. Ricks Polk and the guest of honor, Hagan, then made their way to the front of the Great Hall to begin the cake-cutting ceremony.

As the national anthem was hummed by the Metropolitan Brass Quintet, swords were arched down the middle of the room, creating a hall for midshipmen to walk the birthday cake to Polk and Hagan.

The order, issued by Lejeune, was then read to attendees.

“So long as that spirit continues to flourish, Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as ‘Soldiers of the Sea’ since the founding of the Corps,” the order read.

From there, the birthday cake was then traditionally cut by a sword and awarded to the oldest Marine, Col. Ken Heimes; the youngest Marine, midshipman John Lang; the oldest sailor, Capt. Chester Ward; and the youngest sailor, midshipman McKinley Spading.

The colors then retired their flags, and after a 15-minute intermission, two videos were presented from the Marine Corps and Navy. Polk then took the podium.

Announcing that this will be his last year on active duty, Polk talked about the incoming freshmen to the unit and those who graduated this past year.

“It seem like just yesterday that Kathy [Polk’s spouse] and I were the youngest ones at the ball, and now we are amongst the oldest. All this is part of our naval heritage,” Polk said.

After noting the midshipmen’s successes this past year, Polk introduced Hagan.

“I’m not sure that in November of 1988, just before graduation, Midshipman 1st Class Hagen saw himself as a future guest speaker at this year’s Navy and Marine Corps ball,” Polk said. “I would imagine completing the basic school was the only thing on his mind.”

As Hagan took the podium, he began his speech by thanking the midshipmen in their choice to serve.

“You’re about to enter a service with a very strong history of sacrifice and excellence,” Hagan said. “There’s two reasons that you need to study and understand the history and heritage handed to you.”

Hagan’s first point included learning from other’s mistakes.

“You cannot afford to learn everything the hard way,” he said. 

His second point, which he said was the most important, was about how midshipmen need to know what is expected of them.

“A tremendous heritage has been entrusted to you and you had full ownership of that, the first time you swore your oath to your country,” Hagan said.

Hagan was awarded his fleece by Jorgensen at the end of his speech as the ceremony part of the ball came to a close.

The night concluded with dinner and a dance.