Ceremony

The Navy and Marine Corps Birthday Ball

Annually, Navy and Marine Corps units across the United States hold Birthday Balls to commemorate the founding of the U.S. Navy (October 13, 1775) and the U.S. Marine Corps (November 10, 1775). These celebrations bring together active duty members, veterans, and midshipman in a formal ceremony steeped in long-held traditions.

The evening typically opens with the reading of the messages, consisting of official remarks from Navy and Marine Corps leadership honoring the occasion. This is followed by the cake-cutting ceremony, where the first slice is presented to the guest of honor, and subsequent slices are given to the oldest and youngest members present. As the cake passes from the oldest to the youngest, it symbolizes the passing of knowledge and experience from one generation of sailors and Marines to the next, reflecting the enduring bond between those who came before and those just beginning their service.

The ceremony is followed by dinner, and the night closes with dancing, giving midshipman, alumni, and guests the chance to celebrate together in a lighter, social setting after a night of tradition and reflection.

For UW NROTC, the Birthday Ball is more than a formal event — it’s a chance to connect current Midshipmen with the alumni and traditions that shaped the program before them.

Brochure

Event Information

The following brochure provides all the necessary information regarding the 2026 University of Washington NROTC Birthday Ball. Please consult the QR code to purchase tickets.

Contact Information

Student OIC: MIDN Alex Sin

Email: asin@uw.edu

Student Assistant OIC: MIDN Won Ha

Email: wonh0703@uw.edu

Staff Contact: MSgt Ramon Acosta

Email: amoi@uw.edu

Phone: (206)-221-5395