Corps Specialty Units and Clubs
Regimental Color Guard
Represent our University and display respect to the Colors. This Drill Company segment, seen in on-campus moments of pomp and circumstance, comprises nine standard bearers who carry colors for the United States, Vermont, the country’s armed services and Norwich University. This unit is part of university and state tradition; in 1975, then-Vermont Gov. Thomas B. Salmon recognized the Regimental Color Guard as the state of Vermont’s official color guard.
Regimental Band
The oldest collegiate regimental band in America has performed at parades and concerts in Vermont, New England and New York City (at Carnegie Hall) and at the inaugurations for U.S. presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. On campus, the band performs and accompanies the Corps of Cadets at formations, reviews and special parades.
Cavalry
The Cavalry Troop, available to students of all equestrian levels, performs in a number of campus parades throughout the school year and traces back to the university’s origins of providing horseback-mounted soldiers for battle. Cavalry students get one-on-one training from Firefly Stables owner Laura Hamilton and has trained future professional law enforcement officers and a path to equestrian certification.
Drill Team
The Drill Team, established in 1937 as the Shock Platoon, performs in parades, ceremonies and special events on campus and through New England. Drill Team members learn numerous precision drill routines and support special teams including the Honor Guard, Saber Drill Team and Color Guard. Our team has also shown of its skills nationally, competing in annual national drill competition at Tulane University in New Orleans.
Mountain Cold Weather Company
The Mountain and Cold Weather Company strives to produce exceptional leaders by applying a regimen of rigorous physical and technical training, upholding high standards of physical fitness and mental and technical aptitude and affording a variety of experiences in high-angle, alpine and extreme cold weather environments. From climbing, rappelling, skiing, snowshoeing to learning to manage tactical operations at elevation in subzero temperatures, cadets emerge ready for duty and adventure.
Ranger Company
Ranger Company expands on U.S. Army ROTC basic light infantry skills to include techniques and procedures used by the U.S. Army’s elite light infantry units. Ranger Company cadets receive instruction in dismounted patrolling, battle drills, weapons familiarization and day and night missions. These cadets develop mental strength and physical toughness and social bonds that last.
Artillery Battery
This unit’s cadets learn to safely operate, maintain and employ artillery pieces including M1A1, 75mm Pack Howitzers, a Sir W.C. Armstrong and Whitworth Salute Cannon. In addition to field training, the Artillery Battery fires missions to support Norwich University for football touchdowns, graduation ceremonies, alumni Homecoming, Family Weekend and events honoring visiting dignitaries.
Arnold Air Society
Advocate for power through the air, and empowerment right here in the local community. Your time with Arnold Air Society will help develop you as a future leader, form connections, and improve lives through community service.
Semper Fidelis Society
The Semper Fidelis Society’s mission is to assist in the development of future leaders by promoting leadership through professional military education, physical and mental excellence, community service, fundraising, and observance of the Marine Corps’ lasting traditions. The Society will reinforce the Marine Corps’ values of honor, courage, and commitment. Semper Fidelis is open to students pursuing careers in any U.S. armed forces branch, and stages the annual Walter N. Levy Challenge, a 10-kilometer obstacle race named for a 1963 Norwich alumnus Walter N. Levy, a U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer who was killed in action on Sept. 18, 1965, in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam.
Semper Paratus
The U.S. Coast Guard is the United States’ maritime first responder, minding security along more than 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline, 4.5 million square miles of U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and on the high seas. Semper Paratus specializes in teaching its members the ins and outs of the skills and knowledge required to be in the Coast Guard, such as water survival, underwater knot tying, the history and background of the Coast Guard, and more. Members are also able to get information on ways to commission as an officer into the Coast Guard. While Semper Paratus has a Coast Guard focus, you do not have to aspire to join the Coast Guard but still see value in the skills and lessons learned in the unit, whether for the challenge, fun, camaraderie, and leadership skills, or to help you prepare for another branch of the military.
Ranger Challenge Team
The Ranger Challenge Team trains to compete against other national ROTC teams to determine who's best. In the annual Spartan Ranger Challenge, usually in Fort Knox, Kentucky, a 12-person Norwich University U.S. Army ROTC team squares off against U.S. Army ROTC teams from around the Northeast. Nine events over two days on a nontactical course test land navigation skills, physical aptitude, technical knowledge, marksmanship and endurance. As they orienteer, run, march, lift, shoot and disassemble firearms, competing with some of their strongest, fastest and smartest ROTC rivals, Norwich cadets tap their mental and physical mettle, foster teamwork and develop as leaders.