Welcome to NROTCU UC Berkeley’s FAQ page. We greatly appreciate your proactive step in seeking out the information provided here, as it plays a significant role in enhancing the efficiency of our operations. Each year, our dedicated team, consisting of two lieutenant advisors and a human resources assistant, handles a considerable volume of email and phone inquiries. By utilizing this resource, you’re not only finding the answers you need but also helping us dedicate more time and attention to serving our current students. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
General
What is the purpose of the NROTC program?
Our purpose is to morally, mentally, and physically develop college students for leadership roles as commissioned officers in the Navy and Marine Corps.
Why do most students join the NROTC?
There are a variety of good reasons for joining, and each student has his/her own personal reasons. Some students want to take advantage of the scholarship benefits. Some students join because they want to become Naval or Marine Corps officers and want both the NROTC and college experience rather than attending the Naval Academy.
New Students
I have no experience with the military; how do I know if I will fit in?
You do not know, and neither did any of us who are in the military now. You have to join the program and experience it for yourself. That’s why the first year is without obligation. We are looking for intelligent and physically fit men and women of high moral character who can be trained to assume positions of leadership and great responsibility in the Navy and Marine Corps. If you fit that description, and if you prefer to be a leader rather than a follower, then you owe it to yourself to give it a try.
If I join the NROTC program, am I in the military, or am I still a civilian?
NROTC Midshipmen are given the same status as “inactive reservists.” You will get a “reserve” military ID card, but you will be a civilian during all but the summer training cruise periods of your curriculum. The summer training is performed in an active duty “reserve” status.
How much of my time at school will be tied up in NROTC activities?
As much as you want, but at least six hours a week. Your Naval Science courses meet three hours per week and replace other electives, so those courses should not be thought of as extra requirements. In addition, there is one three-hour leadership lab session called “drill” on Berkeley’s campus each week (1400-1700), and you may be asked to devote about one night per month in required activities. Cross town students (Davis/Stanford/CMA) are required to arrange for transportation to the unit. There are a number of NROTC extracurricular activities available to you if you are interested in them. We sponsor formal and informal dinners, parties, picnics, and other get-togethers. Many of these activities are purely voluntary.
How do I get a scholarship as a Highschool student?
You apply on the NSTC website: NSTC website
Please also read their FAQ page: FAQ page
Make sure to list one of our four schools as your first choice.
You would then work with your recruiter to schedule an interview: Schedule an Interview
Are NROTC scholarship selectees given any preferential treatment in the admission process? Can the unit help with getting into college?
No. The same personal characteristics and academic credentials are considered in scholarship selection and admission. Selection for a scholarship is a good indication that you may be selected for admission, but it is neither guaranteed nor implied. The NROTC scholarship committee might place more emphasis on leadership potential as evidenced in extracurricular athletics or school government activities. The university might place more emphasis on academic achievement.
Ultimately it is up to you to get into one of our four schools (Stanford, California Maritime Academy, UC Davis, or UC Berkeley). Application instructions are on their websites.
If you receive a scholarship, we are made aware by NSTC. We submit special talent letters to Stanford and UC Berkeley on behalf of all students who were awarded a scholarship and list those schools as their number 1 choice.
If I am given an NROTC scholarship, does that guarantee that I will be admitted?
No. The scholarship selection process is TOTALLY INDEPENDENT of the admission process at each school. You must seek admission to UC Davis, UC Berkeley, Stanford, CMA, or some other NROTC host university. Remember that the NROTC scholarship cannot be awarded to you until you have been accepted for admission at an NROTC host school. It is a good idea for NROTC scholarship applicants to apply to more than one NROTC host school to ensure acceptance to at least one NROTC host school.
If I want to change my first-choice school, who do I tell?
You should wait until after you are notified of selection as a scholarship nominee. The instructions for this will be included in your scholarship award letter. NETC is very much dedicated to placing scholarship recipients in their schools of choice, afforded, of course, that the students are admitted to their schools of choice. See bullet point below on what form to fill out.
What if I earned a 4-year scholarship but did not get into one of the four schools?
If you intend on using your scholarship at a different school: Google and fill out NSTC 1533-141 as soon as possible to alter your scholarship to a different institution. There may be a waiting list at another school, so it is imperative that you fill this form out and send it to NSTC as soon as possible.
If you don’t intend on accepting the scholarship: please google and fill out NSTC 1533-140 and send it to NSTC.
Does my first choice have to align with the school I’m attending?
Yes. For example, if you listed Stanford as your first choice but only got into UC Davis, you still need to google and fill out NSTC 1533-141 as soon as possible to alter your scholarship to UC Davis.
Can you offer any hints regarding what the scholarship selection board looks for in making its selections?
Yes. The NROTC scholarship selection board holistically evaluates students using criteria including College Board scores, grades, class standing, athletics, participation in extracurricular activities, recommendations, interview results, and perceived potential. We are looking for the future leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps. We want well-rounded students who are intelligent enough to excel in academics, athletic enough to meet the physical challenges of military service, and who are personable and dynamic enough to assume roles as military leaders. It is not enough to be only bright, or only athletic, or only personable; it takes a combination of the three qualities to be a successful Naval Officer. Officer candidates must also be of high moral character. Students with criminal records or who have gone beyond experimentation with illegal drugs are not likely officer candidates. Take care in selecting those who will provide written recommendations for you. If a candidate is depicted as being an average run-of-the-mill student, it will detract from the board’s assessment of the individual. The application interview with your local recruiter is also vitally important. Look sharp and present yourself well. College Board scores can be a positive factor for the student, but only insofar as they are supported by actual academic achievement. A student with high SAT or ACT scores, but mediocre grades and class standing, is less desirable than a student with moderate scores and high grades and standing. One is coasting, and the other is a hard-working achiever.
Will my scholarship selection be held up if I have trouble passing the medical exam?
The scholarship selection process is completely independent of the medical examination. Scholarship selection is based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated leadership potential. You can be selected as a scholarship nominee even before you take the medical exam, but, of course, it cannot be awarded to you until you have passed the medical exam. The importance of completing and passing the medical exam cannot be over-emphasized. It is up to you to do all you can to complete the medical exam promptly. If follow-on exams or inputs from your local doctor are required, then you must ensure you meet these requirements.
If I am notified that some physical problem will disqualify me from scholarship eligibility, is there anything I can do?
That depends on the nature of the problem. Some problems, such as minor eye corrections, can be waived. Some problems, such as having had certain childhood diseases, or a family history of diabetes, can cloud your medical record to the point that additional medical evidence may be required to substantiate your qualification. Unless you are told that your condition is absolutely disqualifying, you should do all that you can to obtain medical certification. Letters from family doctors or your local specialists can help to show that your condition should not be disqualifying. When in doubt, ask for a medical waiver. These issues should be addressed with DoDMERB and the NSTC medical board. DO NOT send medical documentation to the local unit.
In addition to the medical exam, is there a physical fitness exam required for scholarship selection?
Marine Option students are required to pass a physical fitness exam to be eligible for scholarship selection. Navy Option students do not take this exam as a prerequisite to selection. Once in the NROTC program, all Midshipmen are required to pass a semi-annual physical fitness assessment, which, for Navy option students, consists of push-ups, forearm plank, and a 1.5 mile run. All Midshipmen are encouraged to seek excellence in their physical fitness, and to do more than the minimums in their fitness tests. Marine Option students take a slightly different test that consists of pull-ups, sit-ups, and a 3 mile run.
If I missed the deadline for the National four-year scholarship application, is there any way that I can still obtain an NROTC scholarship?
Maybe, but not through the process that I just described. Students can become eligible for the award of a scholarship by joining their NROTC Unit in the College Program (non-scholarship) status. After one academic term, the student may be recommended for scholarship status to the Chief of Naval Education and Training, who is empowered to award scholarships to promising College Program students. In general, if you can earn better than a 3.0 GPA in your first academic term, achieve a “B” or better in Calculus, and demonstrate a high aptitude for Naval Service, you will have a good chance for a NROTC scholarship. The availability of these “side-load” scholarships is also dependent on the officer production needs of the Navy and NROTC budget.
If you are already at our schools and meet the above-recommended traits.
Reach out to one of the LTs on the website: Contact Unit
Fill out a college program application here: College Program Application
Our unit does not accept college program students straight out of high school.
If you are genuinely interested in the program, I recommend completing the following to show commitment and ability to complete the program successfully. With a successful semester of college under your belt, we will consider allowing those who applied to join us in the spring.
If you are interested:
1. Meet minimum physical standards.
Navy Male: 47 pushups, 1:40 forearm plank, 12:00 1.5 mile run.
Navy Female: 21 pushups, 1:30 forearm plank, 14:15 1.5 mile run.
Note that you likely need a lot higher to avoid being on our morning Fitness Enhancement Program.
Marine Male: 8 pull ups, 1:03 plank, <24:00 min 3-mile
Marine Female: 3 pull ups or 19 push ups (Only 1 pull up if 20 years of age or less), 1:03 plank, <27:00 min 3-mile.
Note that you likely need a lot higher than these minimum standards to ship to OCS.
2. If at Berkeley: take Introduction to Naval Science
If you are at California Maritime Academy: understand that we require our actual MIDN to drive to Berkeley on Thursdays to attend in-person classes, and likely, you won’t be able to do this for Fall of 2023. You will double up on naval science classes the following year. To mitigate difficulty with your schedule, you can take both calculus AND physics in your fall semester to knock them both out.
3. Take a calculus or physics course from the attached list (if you have some high school AP credit, you still need at least one semester at your university). We require a year of both calculus and physics with only one semester allowed. Showing you can get grades in these courses is essential to the program.
| Berkeley: | Stanford: | California Maritime: | UC Davis: |
| MATH 1A MATH 1B/ H1B MATH 10A MATH 10B MATH 16A MATH 16B MATH 53 /H53 MATH 54 /H54 PHYS 7A/H7A PHYS 7B/H7B PHYS 7C/H7C PHYS 8A PHYS 8B | MATH 19 MATH 20 MATH 21 MATH 41 MATH 42 MATH 51 / 51H MATH 52 / 52H MATH 53 / 53H Physics: PHYS 41 PHYS 43 PHYS 45 PHYS 61 PHYS 63 PHYS 65 | MTH 210 MTH 211 MTH 2l2 MTH 215 PHYS 200 PHYS 205 | MATH 16A MATH 16B MATH l6C MATH 17A MATH 17B MATH 17C MATH 21A / 21AH MATH 21B / 21BH MATH 21C /21CH MATH 21D MATH 21M MATH 22A MATH 22B PHYS 7A PHYS78 PHYS 7C PHYS 9A/9AH PHYS 9B/9BH PHYS 9C/9CH PHYS 9D/9DH PHYS 9EH PHYS 001 PHYS 030 |
Is the freshmen orientation (officially: New Student Indoctrination) like a boot camp?
Up-to-date information on New Student Indoctrination can be found here. We stress the need for discipline and teamwork, and some people have to adjust their attitude a bit. Orientation is certainly less stressful compared to a real boot- camp, the thirteen weeks of officer candidate school, or to what the service academy freshmen go through for their entire first year. With that said, orientation is not easy. It is physically and mentally demanding. After the initial trauma of the discovery of discipline, most students find orientation to be very rewarding. It is also an excellent opportunity to get to know your freshmen classmates before school starts.
I am trying to decide which university to attend. Are there any differences among the various NROTC Units?
The naval science curriculum at each school is identical. If there are any apparent differences among NROTC units, they are due to the customs and traditions of the Units, and the personalities of the Unit Staffs, and even the Midshipmen in those Units. The exceptions to this rule are military schools (e.g. SUNY Maritime, Maine Maritime, Texas Maritime, The Citadel, VMI, etc.) and schools with a “corps of cadets” (e.g. Texas A&M and Virginia Tech). My advice would be to choose your university on the basis of its overall reputation in the major of your choice. Look at the reputation of the graduates of the school. You should narrow your choices down to a few, and then visit those campuses (and their NROTC Units) to help you make the final decision.
Training and Campus Life
How does Marine training differ from Navy training?
In most respects, it is the same. Marine Options must complete the same mandatory training as the Navy Options, but they will participate in Marine Specific training during some drill periods, they will have Marine-specific Naval Science courses in their junior and senior year, and they will conduct Marine-specific summer cruises (see above). Marine option students are not required to take calculus and physics courses. Our Marine Officer Instructor guides them in their development, and upon graduation, they are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps.
In order for a Marine Option to commission in the Marine Corps, they must graduate from Officer Candidate School (OCS) in the summer after their junior year. OCS is a 6 week basic training in Quantico, Virginia, evaluating a candidate’s potential to serve as an officer in the Marine Corps. Unlike Navy options, Marine Options will not find out their MOS until they complete The Basic School after commissioning.
You mentioned that you have women in the NROTC program; how does their training differ from that of men?
It is nearly identical. The physical fitness standards are a little different for women, but other than that, women train the same as the men. All midshipmen are expected to treat each other with equal respect, no matter the sex.
Do NROTC graduates have the same opportunities as Naval Academy graduates when it comes time for duty assignments after graduation?
Yes. NROTC and Naval Academy graduates have identical opportunities to go into the fields of their choice. When it comes time to state duty preferences and to be selected for duty assignments, students with higher academic and aptitude rankings, regardless of where they go to school, will be most likely to receive their first choice of assignments.
Do NROTC Midshipmen wear uniforms to classes every day like they do at the Naval Academy?
No. Midshipmen are only required to wear the uniform on Thursdays during their university classes, NROTC drill period, and Naval Science class.
Can you describe how a Midshipman fits into the university?
An NROTC Midshipman is a civilian, pursuing his or her own academic degree in a normal university environment, in the same manner as a non-Midshipman would. The only difference is that Midshipmen take a series of Naval Science courses and wear uniforms to class once a week. Midshipmen are free to join fraternities or sororities and enjoy all aspects of campus life. Our offices and classrooms are just like all other offices and classrooms on campus. You will blend in with and participate in the campus activities of your choice. When you graduate, you will serve with pride as a Navy or Marine Corps officer.
Are NROTC Midshipmen housed together on campus?
No. Freshman housing assignments are independent of NROTC. Please plan for housing costs as part of your budgeting – California rents are extremely expensive.
How does it work being a midshipman at UC Berkeley, but being enrolled in one of the crosstown schools (Stanford, Davis, CMA)?
Crosstown midshipmen carpool together to UC Berkeley every Thursday for training and naval science classes. Note, if the student’s schedule doesn’t permit them to catch a ride with another student, they will be responsible for getting to UC Berkeley on their own. Crosstown midshipmen are also given all the same opportunities as Berkeley midshipmen, such as the ability to participate in endurance club, color guard, or any other ROTC-related activities.
Day/Week in the Life of a UC Davis midshipman (2023):
I’m a 4th year marine and coastal science major with an education minor at UC Davis. Along with being in ROTC, I also have a job as a barre instructor and participate in a few campus clubs at Davis.
This semester, I am the MIDN Executive Officer (MXO) and have held various other leadership billets in past semesters. Being MXO, I have about 2-3 meetings a week outside of the dedicated ROTC drill time and complete various taskings that can take a few hours of my time each week. I’ve also participated in color guard and aviation club, which sometimes means commuting to Berkeley on the weekends for events or meetings.
Thursday, ROTC Drill Day:
-0600-0800: Work
-0930: Pre-Drill Meeting w/ MIDN Staff and Active Duty staff.
-1000-1150: Morning Lecture
-1150: Meet with other Davis MIDN to commute to Berkeley
-1330: Arrive at the unit and hang out in wardroom until drill starts
-1400-1630: Drill
-1630-1700: Eat dinner in the wardroom w/other MIDN and study for NS quiz
-1700-1830: Naval Science class
-1830: Wait for other Davis MIDN to get out of NS classes and drive back
-2000: Relax for the rest of the evening w/ my roommates and do homework
Wednesday, Non-ROTC Drill Day:
-0600-0730: Morning PT w/other Davis MIDN
-1000-1050: Elective Lecture
-1100-1300: Meet up w/ friends to study on campus
-1330-1500: Upper-division writing Lecture
-1510-1600: Ecology Discussion
– Go home & make dinner
-Sometimes I have work in the evening and other times I will have a club meeting. Just depends on the week. If I don’t have either of these things, I will make plans out in town with my friends.
Day/Week in the Life of a Stanford midshipman (2023):
The commute from Stanford to Berkeley is 55-65 minutes. Stanford MIDN do this at least once a week on Thursdays for Naval Science and drill periods but may be required to commute an additional 1-2 times a month for other ROTC events/commitments. Stanford MIDN will carpool to unit events. On Thursdays, they typically leave at 1130 and return to campus by 2100. At least one Stanford MIDN must have a car to commute, and because there are so few Stanford MIDN, expect to need a car at some point in your Stanford career to commute. Stanford MIDN must cover their own gas and toll expenses, but the scholarship stipend is plenty to cover these fees.
Due to Thursday ROTC commitments, Stanford MIDN cannot participate in courses offered on Thursday afternoons. However, Stanford has a wide variety of courses for all requirements and areas of interest, and class times often switch each quarter, so with proper planning, MIDN can still take required courses/courses of interest at some point in their Stanford career. The morning is still available for classes/sections. MIDN must wear the Uniform of the Day all day, including to any Stanford commitments, before departing for drill.
Regarding student life as a MIDN: Being a crosstown MIDN offers a unique opportunity to experience life at Stanford and UC Berkeley. A student’s involvement in ROTC/military communities at both campuses is up to their discretion. On average, there are only 2-3 MIDN at Stanford, but there is a big community of veterans. Stanford OMAC offers a community for ROTC students and veterans at Stanford. Students can participate in OMAC events at their leisure. There is also plenty of time to be a normal student and participate in non-military affiliated clubs and organizations such as academic clubs, religious clubs, music groups, sports, and greek life. Stanford is great at bringing together people of diverse backgrounds all over the world, and being a ROTC student offers an opportunity to add to this diversity.
Day/Week in the Life of a Cal Maritime midshipman (2023):
California Maritime Academy is not your average University, we are expected to dress and act professionally everyday with uniforms that represent our commitment to excellence. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you will attend morning formation in uniform alongside the rest of the school. If you are an engineer or a marine transportation major, you can expect to have a combination of academic and practical training courses unlike any other on the West Coast. Engineers are expected to become familiar with real engineering systems like diesel engines, boilers, turbines, and other engineering systems as you will be performing maintenance as well as learning the theory behind why these systems work. Deck majors will be exposed to every aspect of ship operations which include, line handling, navigation, cargo operations, and all aspects of being a competent 3rd Officer aboard a vessel. Business and Global Studies majors will become experts in domestic and foreign policy. Their program will include visits to government agencies, international internships, leadership conferences, and more to expose students to a wide variety of experiences.
All engineering and deck cadets will also be required to attend a freshman cruise after their first year of school. The Summer Cruise (Which is in addition to your Navy Summer Training) will be held aboard the Training Ship Golden Bear which will take students across the world on a work cruise where you will learn all the previously mentioned topics and apply them to real world training scenarios. This incredible opportunity will allow cadets to become familiar with practical marine engineering and navigation.
In addition to all of the above, you will be attending drill at UC Berkeley and enhancing your education via the NROTC program. Every major will benefit from the wealth of information provided by the Active Duty staff and midshipman in the program. You will learn the essentials to proper leadership which will translate well into your education at Cal Maritime with the opportunities to become a student leader in the Corps of Cadets. Every Thursday, CMA midshipman will attend drill and naval science classes at UC Berkeley to complement their education at Cal Maritime. You will have a 30-40 minute commute with other midshipmen from CMA to Berkeley; where you will conduct practical military training through drill and learn military leadership, history, and systems. Though issues may arise with scheduling due to the small population of Cal Maritime; your LT Advisors will do everything they can to make sure that you can still receive training and leadership opportunities while moving your education forward. Through NROTC and Cal Maritime, you will become a well rounded individual who is competent in their field of study and in leadership.
Day/Week in the Life of a UC Berkeley midshipmen (2023):
My day starts at 0700 with a 3 mile run up Milvia St. which goes through some really nice neighborhoods and barely has cars on the road. When I get back, I shower, grab a protein shake, and swing by Bagel Street Cafe to grab a breakfast sandwich. I’ll study for a couple hours in the Midshipman wardroom inside of Hearst Gymnasium. This usually involves productive work and good conversations with the other Midshipmen at Berkeley. Then at 1100 I head to my history of the Soviet Union class. As a midshipman, I am required to take certain history and foreign policy courses. This is actually a great requirement because it forces me to expand my scope beyond engineering. After class, I’ll swing by Golden Bear Cafe to pick up a burger and a salad for lunch. From 1400-1700 I have an engineering lab where we design low pass filters, perform vibration analysis, and a bunch of other awesome experiments. From 1700-1830, I have a naval weapons systems class taught by our submarine officer, LT Pommersheim. We discuss conceptual technology as well as current events relating to the topic. From 1830-2000, I have a flight mechanics class taught by a NASA Ames engineer, Dr. Thomas Lambaerts. He is not a professor but instead just comes to Berkeley because he enjoys teaching the topics. We discuss things such as high-alpha technology in the Navy’s super hornets and the Mach 3 capabilities of the SR-71. After class, I finally walk home where I cook dinner with my 3 housemates. This normally involves a lot of joking around to wind down the day. For the last 30 minutes of my day I’ll listen to a podcast in order to take my mind off of things.
Benefits and Financial Aid
What are the NROTC scholarship benefits?
The scholarship covers full tuition at UC Berkeley, Stanford, UC Davis, and California Maritime Academy. In addition, each scholarship student receives:
-All educational fees
-Uniforms
-$375 towards books each semester
-Monthly stipend of $250 for freshman, $300 for sophomore, $350 for junior, and $400 for senior midshipmen.
-NROTC pays for students’ initial transportation from home to school and from school to summer cruise training
–Students from our cross-town schools of Davis, Stanford, and California Maritime Academy are required to cover expenses to attend Thursday drill at UC Berkeley from 1400-1700 and later Naval Science classes in the evening (1700 – 1830 for classes that meet Tuesday/Thursday or 2000 for classes that meet only Thursdays).
Does the Scholarship cover room and board expenses?
Students have the option of choosing to have their room and board paid for instead of tuition and fees, but the scholarship will not cover both. Some students choose this option when the cost of room and board exceeds the cost of tuition. Students fill out the NSTC 1533/167 form (google for most recent version) to elect this benefit. The form specifies the current rate for room and board.
Students who find that room and board payments represent a financial hardship should inquire about their school’s financial aid program. Many of our NROTC students receive some form of financial aid from the university, either in the form of grants, loans, or work-study jobs on campus.
Are NROTC Scholarship recipients eligible for financial aid?
All questions regarding financial aid should be directed to your school’s financial aid office. It is important to note that 2009 amendments to the Higher Education Act provide that ROTC scholarships are not to be considered in determining cost of attendance or expected family contributions in evaluating a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid. Schools should treat NROTC scholarships as a veteran’s benefit and not as a scholarship.
Are there any benefits for the College Program (non-scholarship) students?
Yes. Junior and senior college program students earn “Advanced Standing,” and will begin receiving a $350 per month tax-free subsistence allowance. In addition, during the entire four years, they are given use of the uniforms they need, and their naval science textbooks. They also receive pay during summer cruises between their junior and senior years.
There are also 3 year and 2 year scholarships available for current college program midshipmen and unaffiliated students.
Future Obligations
What is my active duty obligation after graduation?
Our Navy Option scholarship students are required to serve a minimum of five years of active military service upon graduation. Additional requirements may be required for specific job assignments. This obligation is accepted at the beginning of the sophomore year.
Marine Corps Option scholarship midshipmen will be required to serve at least four years on active duty.
Our College Program (Advanced Standing) students are obligated for three years of active duty after graduation. They accept the obligation at the beginning of their junior year.
Google forms NSTC 1533-135 for scholarship MIDN contract and NSTC 1533-127 for advanced standing agreement.
Does that mean that there is no obligation incurred by incoming freshmen when they join the program?
Correct. Scholarship students have until September 1st of their sophomore year to decide whether to remain in the program and incur the obligation of service. After this date, scholarship students who decide to voluntarily leave the program must reimburse the Department of the Navy for all tuition benefits received previously, including the freshman year. Also, the current policy requires Active Enlisted Service for those scholarship students who disenroll from the program during their senior year.
College Program (Basic Standing) students become obligated immediately after receiving either a 3-Year or 2-Year scholarship, or after earning College Program (Advanced Standing) status after their Sophomore Year.
If I join the NROTC program, what kind of military duties should I expect after graduation?
Most of our Navy option students, male and female, will graduate as Unrestricted Line Officers (URL). That means that they will be expected to go on to further training in aviation, submarines, conventional or nuclear powered surface ships, explosive ordnance disposal, or Naval Special Warfare (NSW).
In general, the NROTC program does not commission midshipmen as Restricted Line Officers or into the Staff Corps. Examples include but are not limited to: Naval Intelligence, Human Resources, Public Affairs, Medical Corps, Dental Corps, Civil Engineering Corps, or Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
Those who choose (and are accepted for) the Marine Corps can go into aviation or a variety of ground officer assignments such as logistics, infantry, and armor.
Do scholarship and College Program (Advanced Standing) students receive identical assignments after graduation?
Yes. Assignments are made on the basis of the student’s choices, qualifications, performance, and needs of the Navy. Scholarship status is not a factor in the assignment process.
Will I get the choice of duty I want after graduation?
Most likely. At the beginning of senior year, our students state their duty preferences, and most will get their first choice of designator. There are prerequisites for each designator, such as being physically qualified for aviation and having adequate grades for nuclear powered ships and submarines.
At the beginning of the senior year, fall semester, our Navy option students state their duty preferences, and many will get their first choice of duty. There are some prerequisites, such as being physically qualified for aviation, and having the right college major and GPA for nuclear powered ships and submarines. Ultimately, the service assignment is dependent upon the needs of the Navy; students should be prepared to serve in any capacity required.
Marine Option students receive their duty assignments after successfully completing The Basic School (TBS) post-graduation.
What is a designator?
This is what the Navy calls an officer’s occupation. All unrestricted line designators are open for NROTC students. Designator choices for NROTC include:
- Naval Aviator (Pilot)
- Naval Flight Officer (NFO)
- Surface Warfare Officer
- Surface Warfare Officer (Nuclear Option)
- Submarine Officer
- Naval Special Warfare (SEAL)
- Special Operations (EOD)
- Naval Reactors Engineer (restricted line, but open to very few select students each year)
- Surface Warfare Officer (restricted line option)
- Oceanography
- Engineering
- Intelligence
- Information Professional
- Cryptologic Warfare
Can I be guaranteed flight school after graduation?
The Navy does not give such a guarantee. However, experience has shown that solid academic performance, high scores on the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB), and being physically qualified for aviation will give midshipmen an excellent chance of getting aviation. The Marine Corps does offer flight guarantees prior to attending The Basic School (TBS), which can be granted by meeting the requirements any time up to 90 days before graduation.
What about graduate school? Is there any way to go directly to graduate school, and to serve the obligatory military service after graduate school?
That is a possibility, but highly unlikely. A few top students are selected each year to go on to graduate school, but the vast majority of midshipmen are expected to enter the military after graduation. Keep in mind, though, that the Navy and Marine Corps have their own Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and you will be eligible for assignment there after your first three or four years of active duty. This will enable you to obtain a graduate degree in one of the offered courses of study while receiving full pay.
Is medical school in that same category? Can I go from the NROTC program directly into medical school, and then serve my obligated time as a Navy doctor?
It is possible but the current quota for NROTC midshipmen attending Medical School is near zero and will be for the foreseeable future. More information can be found at the University of Uniformed Health Services USUHS website.
Coursework and Curriculum
What are the specific courses that I must take if I join the NROTC program?
Navy Option:
Two Calculus Courses
Two Calculus-based Physics Courses
Two writing intensive English courses
One American Military History or National Security Policy course
One Regional/Cultural Studies course
Eight Naval Science courses (one per semester)
Marine Option:
Two writing intensive English courses
One American Military History or National Security Policy course
Six Naval Science courses
Note: AP credits can fulfill some of these requirements. However, at least one Calculus and one Physics course must be taken in the collegiate environment.
How does the Marine training differ from Navy training?
In most respects, it is the same. Marine option students are not required to take calculus and physics courses. Marine option students take different Naval Science courses in their junior and senior years, and in the summer after their junior year they must complete Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia. Our Marine Officer Instructor guides them in their development, and upon graduation they are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps.
What types of academic support does the NROTC unit provide?
The NROTC unit provides professional tutoring in calculus and physics at no cost to the student. Additionally, we require all incoming freshmen and anyone struggling to participate in weekly study hours. Each midshipman is also assigned to a class advisor. The class advisor is an active duty lieutenant who provides advice about school and NROTC while keeping the big picture in mind. The advisor will ensure each midshipman is on track to complete degree and program requirements.
Do I have to major in some particular subject if I join the NROTC?
No. Any of the available majors are allowable. We encourage our students to pursue some form of technical major, but that is not a requirement. Keep in mind that Naval Service Training Command will favor technical majors when awarding scholarships. NSTC’s goal is to award 85% of the scholarships to incoming freshmen who major in STEM programs. Those who major in non-technical subjects will have to take a few technical courses, namely calculus and physics, to prepare them for the technological environment that they will encounter in their military service. These technical courses, even for non-tech majors, will usually count toward degree requirements because all majors require some math and science coursework.
Would I be allowed to change my major once I am in the NROTC program?
It depends. If you desire to attempt a more technical major or move laterally, then you will be able to change majors without issue. Examples of the above would be Physics changing to Mechanical Engineering (move up) and an Electrical Engineer becoming a Mechanical Engineer (lateral move). A few students each year will be allowed to change majors to a less technical major. An example would be a Nuclear and Radiological Engineering major moving to Management. Selection boards are held twice a year to determine which students will be approved for a change of major to a less technical degree.
Summer training and orientation
Is there an orientation for new NROTC students?
Yes. All NROTC National Scholarship recipients are required to complete New Student Indoctrination (NSI) during the summer before the start of their freshmen year. NSI challenges midshipmen candidates mentally, morally, and physically through instruction in physical fitness, close order drill, swim qualifications, firefighting, line handling, and basic military customs, courtesies, traditions, and organization.
What will I do on summer training cruises?
There are three different cruises for scholarship students. Third Class cruises take place after freshman year, Second Class after sophomore year, and First Class after junior year. College Program students participate in First Class cruise only.
Navy:
Third Class – CORTRAMID gives students the chance to learn about the four basic “line officer” specialties. The students spend one week with each of the four communities for exposure to aviation, submarines, surface ships, and Marine Corps amphibious operations. CORTRAMID takes place at either San Diego, CA or Norfolk, VA.
Second Class – Aboard either a surface ship or submarine (student’s choice) and is geared toward experiencing the Navy from an enlisted viewpoint.
First Class – Provides junior officer training aboard ships, submarines, shore based aviation squadrons or a chance to try out for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) or Naval Special Warfare (NSW) communities.
Marine Options:
Third Class – Gives students the chance to learn about the four basic “line officer” specialties. The students spend one week at each of four locations to receive indoctrination in aviation, submarine, surface ships, and Marine Corps amphibious operations.
Second Class – Fleet Marine Force (Marine Month) gives students a basic introduction to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) during training either at Camp Lejeune, NC or Camp Pendleton, CA. Students will learn basic competencies of being a Marine Rifleman.
First Class – 6 week Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA.
I need to work during the summer. May I?
The summer cruises are part of our curriculum and are a required part of the program. However, we will allow you to state your preference for when you would like to conduct the cruise. The cruises are generally four to six weeks long, so you should still be able to work for part of the summer. Also, midshipmen are paid about $550 per month during the duration of the cruise.
Where do we go during summer cruise, and who pays for our transportation?
Midshipmen can travel all over the world on their summer cruises, depending on their class year and whether they are a Navy or Marine Corps option. Generally, midshipmen will travel to one of the many US Navy and Marine Corps fleet concentration areas (e.g. San Diego, CA, or Norfolk, VA) before embarking on cruise with their host command, whose destination is largely dependent on their assigned mission. The Navy pays for travel expenses from school or your home to the cruise site and your return to home each summer.