Top-performing members of VMI’s Midshipmen Battalion may receive prestigious awards that highlight their skill, service, dedication, and proficiency in the Naval ROTC program.
Awards presented at VMI include:
Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States Award — This award is presented to the top Navy and Marine Corps commissionee.
Daughters of the American Revolution Award — This award is presented to 1st Class Midshipmen who have demonstrated dependability, loyalty, patriotism and leadership.
Daughters of the Founders and Patriots of America Award — This award is presented to outstanding midshipmen having demonstrated superior accomplishments in both military and academic endeavors, and who reflects the ideals of patriotism.
Sons of the American Revolution Award — This award is presented to the ROTC 4th Classmen who show a high degree of merit with respect to quality, military bearing, and excellence in their ROTC programs.
Commandant Award — This award is presented to 2nd Class cadets that have distinguished themselves through selfless service, integrity, initiative and courage while in a leadership position.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Award — This award is presented to cadets for diligence, excellence, and individual characteristics contributing to leadership.
USAA Spirit Award — This award is presented to the cadet in each ROTC Department that best displays the ‘Warrior Spirit.”
Military Order of World Wars Award — This award is presented to 1st, 2nd and 3rd Classmen who have indicated exceptional desire to serve the United States through military service.
Institute-Specific Awards
Chief of Naval Operations Distinguished Midshipman Graduate Award — This award is presented based on outstanding performance and academic excellence.
LT Mark R. Wilson, Sr. Midshipman Award — This award is presented to the top Navy graduate, demonstrating excellence in leadership and academics. This award is in honor of Mark Russell Wilson, Sr., a decorated U.S. Navy Lieutenant and a member of the Navy’s elite SEALs, died while on active duty on December 4, 1995.
General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. Award — This award is presented to the top two Marine graduates in the Naval ROTC program at VMI.
General Lemuel C. Shepherd Scholarship — This award is presented to a 2nd Class Marine Option Midshipman who demonstrates academic excellence.
Chesty Puller Award — This award is presented to the Marine Option Midshipmen from each class who exhibits the highest qualities of leadership which exemplify the VMI Spirit and those espoused by LTG Lewis B “Chesty” Puller, Class of 1921.
Chesty Puller Scholarship Award (1st Marine Division) — Presented to the rising 1st and 2nd Class Marine Option Midshipman who exhibits the highest qualities of leadership which exemplify the VMI Spirit and those espoused by LtGen Lewis B “Chesty” Puller, Class of 1921.
Naval Submarine League Outstanding Achievement Award (OD Award- Due 1 Feb) — Presented to recognize the superior professional and academic performance by a graduating student approved for training and service in submarines.
