NROTC Program

• Mission - The mission of the NROTC program is to provide midshipmen with a well rounded curriculum in basic naval subjects, develop an understanding of Naval customs, traditions and practices, introduce the navy way of life through practical experiences and develop future officers morally, mentally, and physically.
• Eligibility - Students must meet the following to be eligible to participate in the NROTC program:
  • U. S. citizen.
  • apply for and gain admission to an NROTC college.
  • have not reached their 25th birthday by 30 June of the year in which they plan to graduate from college (for those with prior military service, age waivers may be granted equivalent to time in service on a month to month basis up to 48 months).
  • be physically qualified by Navy or Marine Corps standards.
  • have no moral obligations or personal convictions that will prevent conscientious bearing of arms and supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign or domestic.
• Programs and Options
  • Scholarship Program - The majority of naval science students attend the university on NROTC scholarships. Many different scholarship programs exist (see our Scholarship page), however all scholarships cover full tuition, books, associated scholastic and laboratory fees, and a $200 per month subsistence. A scholarship student receives, upon graduation, a reserve commission in the United States Navy or Marine Corps and serves on active duty for a minimum of four years.
  • College Program - Students who do not receive an NROTC scholarship can still participate in NROTC and receive a commission through the College Program. College Program students pay their own way through college, however they are able, if eligible, to apply for three and one-half, three or two year scholarships after completing one semester in the NROTC program. These scholarships are based upon academic and professional performance, and require a minimum GPA of 2.3 to apply. College Program students receive uniforms, naval science textbooks, and if selected for advanced standing, subsistence pay of $200 per month in their junior and senior years. Upon graduation, a College Program student receives a reserve commission in the United States Navy or Marine Corps, and serves on active duty for a minimum of three years.
  • Program Options - whether Scholarship or College Program, NROTC midshipmen have several program options to chose from, based on their desired service and career path.
    • Navy Option - Upon graduation, Navy option midshipmen are commissioned as Ensigns in the United States Navy. Currently, NROTC graduates are only commissioned into the Unrestricted Line Officer communities. Career paths include Surface Warfare (Engineering Duty Officer or Oceanography option available), Submarine Warfare/Nuclear Power, Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer, and Naval Special Operations/Warfare (SEALs). Programs also exist for those interested in becoming a Navy Doctor or Dentist.
    • Navy Nurse Corps Option - For students interested in a pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing, a Nurse Option program is available. Upon graduation, Nurse Option midshipmen are commissioned as Ensigns in the Navy Nurse Corps.
    • Marine Corps Option - Highly motivated NROTC students may request designation as Marine Corps option midshipmen. Marine option midshipmen will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation. Marine option students are required to complete Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, VA, in order to receive a Marine Corps commission. All Marine Corps officer career paths are available to NROTC graduates upon the successful completion of The Basic School (TBS). Additionally, NROTC Marine option midshipmen interested in aviation can apply for flight school guarantees as early as their sophomore year.
• Program Requirements
  • Academic Requirements - Midshipmen must meet several academic requirements above and beyond that required for their selected major. Academic requirements differ between the different programs and program options.
    • Naval Science Classes - Midshipmen are required to take Naval Science courses dealing with a variety of different subjects related to the Navy or Marine Corps. Navy option student are required to take Naval Science 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302, 401, and 402. Nurse option students take only 101, 102, 401, and 402. Marine option students take 101, 102, 303, 401, 402, and 403.
    • English, Math and Science Requirements - All midshipmen are required to completed two semesters of English (ENGL 101 and 102). All Navy option midshipmen are required to take math and science courses. Scholarship students must take two semesters of Calculus (MATH 141 and 142) prior to the end of their sophomore year, and two semesters of Calculus based Physics (PHYS 211 and 212) prior to the end of their junior year. College Program midshipmen are required to take two semesters of math and two semesters of physical science. Both Scholarship and College Program Navy option midshipmen are also required to take one class in Computer Science. Nurse and Marine option midshipmen have no math/science requirement.
  • Physical Requirements
    • Physical Readiness Test - All midshipmen are required to successfully complete a Physical Readiness Test (PRT) every semester. The PRT consists of situps, pushups, and a 1.5 mile run or 500 yard swim. Passing scores are dependent on the age and sex of the midshipman. Marine option midshipmen are also required to pass the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT), which consists of pullups, situps, and a 3 mile run.
    • Swim Qualification - All midshipmen are required to achieve at least a third class swim qualification prior to the end of their freshman year. To qualify as a third class swimmer, the midshipman must enter the water feet first from a height of 5 feet and remain afloat for 5 minutes. After completing the 5 minute float, he/she must then swim 50 yards using any stroke or combination of strokes.
  • Summer Training - All Scholarship and advanced standing College Program midshipmen are required to participate in summer training for 4 weeks every summer. Nurse option midshipmen are only required to complete second and first class summer cruises.
    • CORTRAMID - a 4 week summer cruise using taken between the midshipman's freshman and sophomore years. Each week is spent learning about a different community: Surface, Submarine, Aviation, and Marine Corps.
    • Second Class cruise - midshipmen experience enlisted life at sea, including standing watches and learning shipboard organization and safety, and ship systems. Second class cruises are generally taken on a surface ship, however, submarine cruises can be arranged for midshipmen interested in that field.
    • First Class cruise - midshipmen experience officer life at sea. First class cruises are generally specialized to specific career fields of interest for the midshipmen. Aviation, Nuclear Power, and Surface Warfare summer cruises are available, as well as MINI-BUDs, a three week introduction to BUDs for midshipman interested in Special Warfare/SEALs. Nurse option midshipmen spend their first class summer cruise at a Naval Hospital. Marine option midshipmen are required to successfully complete Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS, better known as Bulldog) for their first class summer cruise.

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For information about NROTC, visit the following site:  Chief of Naval Education and Training NROTC Site