Life as a Rook
Say Goodbye to Your Comfort Zone.
Find Out What You're Capable Of
You know there is more in you. But how do you find out just how far you can go?
Rookdom is where you start putting that question to the test through the military-style structure of the Corps of Cadets. For about four months, you'll navigate new expectations, greater responsibility, high standards, physical training, and a community going through the experience with you.
It won't always be easy. That's the point. Rookdom gives you the opportunity to explore what happens when more is expected of you, and you demand more from yourself.
You discover how you respond when things get difficult, how you adapt when things don't go as planned, and how much further you can go when you keep trying. And along the way, you begin to discover who you are becoming.
Rookdom is only the beginning.
What does “Rook” mean?
Short for “recruit,” a Rook is a new member of the Norwich University Corps of Cadets working toward Recognition as a cadet.
You Don't Do It Alone
From the beginning, you are surrounded by people invested in helping you succeed. If you need a push, you'll be pushed. If you need encouragement, you'll get it. If you need an example to follow, you won't have to look far. And when you need support, you have an entire community behind you.
Your Rook brothers and sisters are going through the same experience you are. Your cadre and other upper-class cadets will teach you, train you, challenge you, and hold you accountable. Faculty, staff, Corps leadership, coaches, and others across Norwich are there when you need guidance or support.
They won't do the work for you.
That's still yours to do.
Rook Week: Where It All Starts
Rookdom begins a week before your first college class. From the moment you say goodbye to your family and friends on Arrival Day, you'll be stepping into an entirely new way of life.
During Rook Week, almost everything is new. New routines. New expectations. New people. You'll learn how to wear your uniform, move in formation, follow military customs, manage your time, meet Corps standards, and work as part of a team.
The days start early with physical training, and there is a lot to take in from there. You won't get everything right the first time. You'll make mistakes. You'll learn quickly.
And you'll be doing it alongside a group of people who are figuring it out, too. Shared challenge has a way of bringing people together quickly. By the end of Rook Week, people you met only days ago will already feel like old friends.
The Final Day of Rook Week
Rook Week culminates with two of Norwich's most enduring traditions: the Dog River Run and Cadet Oath.
The morning begins with physical training that challenges you in different ways. Some events test you individually. Others require you to work together with your Rook brothers and sisters, with competitions built in that bring out teamwork and a little friendly rivalry. Then it's on to the worm pits for one of the most memorable experiences of Rook Week.
From there, you'll head to the Dog River. First, you'll choose a rock from the river to take with you. The rock—that you will likely keep for decades—stands for the strength, resilience, and determination that grew within you during Rook Week. Then you'll make your way through the water alongside your Rook siblings. You'll feel the cold of the river and the profound sense of accomplishment of the almost completed week.
After you conquer the river, you'll clean up, head to chow, and then gather on the Upper Parade Ground to take the Cadet Oath, side by side with Norwich civilian students taking the Civilian Oath.
The two oaths reflect the different paths students choose at Norwich and their shared commitment to the values all Norwich students uphold. As part of the same ceremony on the Upper Parade Ground, the Cadet and Civilian Oaths are also a reminder that while their Norwich experiences may be different, cadets and civilians are part of one Norwich community.
The moment also gives you a chance to look back at just how far you've already come. Only a week earlier, much of what you've just accomplished may have seemed beyond you.
Experience two of Norwich’s most powerful traditions: the Dog River Run and Cadet Oath.
And Rookdom is just getting started.
What is Rookdom?
Rookdom is the approximately four-month period that begins with Rook Arrival and ends when a Rook earns Recognition as a cadet. It’s where you learn what it means to be a cadet: the discipline, standards, responsibility, military customs, teamwork, and accountability that become the foundation for your experience in the Corps.
So, What Is Rook Life Really Like?
Once Rook Week ends, college life gets underway: academics, activities, and the interests you came to Norwich to pursue. Rookdom becomes part of your everyday routine.
Your days have structure. There are early mornings, physical training, formations, inspections, classes, meals, Corps training, activities and study. You'll have a lot competing for your time, and you'll learn how to manage it.
Yes, it is challenging. It's supposed to be. Every day gives you another opportunity to practice taking responsibility, managing competing demands, solving problems, working with others, and following through when things get difficult.
These aren't just skills for Rookdom. They're skills you'll carry with you long after Norwich.
Typical Weekday – In the Life of a Rook | |
|---|---|
| 0500 | First Call (Wake Up) |
| 0515-0615 | Physical Training (With ROTC or Corps Unit)/ Inspection |
| 0645-0730 | Personal Hygiene/Uniform Change |
| 0730 | Command Reveille Formation |
| 0645-0930 | 1st Mess (As Schedule Allows) |
| 0800-1600 | Academic Classes |
| 1045-1330 | 2nd Mess (As Schedule Allows) |
| 1600-1800 | Varsity/Club Sports/Student Activities/Ceremonial & Specialty Unit Training |
| 1800-1930 | 3rd Mess/Sergeant’s Training Time |
| 1930-1945 | Pass Down |
| 2000-2130 | Study / Personal Time / Hygiene |
| 2130 | Taps (Lights Out) |
Do Rooks still have a normal college life?
Yes. Rookdom becomes part of your college experience; it doesn't replace it.
You're Still a College Student
Being a Rook is a big part of your first semester at Norwich. But it isn't the only part.
You'll go to class, get to know your professors, study with friends, compete on an athletic team, join clubs and activities, and pursue your interests alongside cadets and civilian students who are all part of the same Norwich community.
Rookdom adds structure, responsibility, and challenge to your college experience. It doesn't replace it.
From Rook to Cadet: Recognition
You arrive at Norwich as a Rook. About four months later, you have the opportunity to earn Recognition as a cadet in the Norwich University Corps of Cadets.
Recognition marks the end of Rookdom. It's a chance to look back at the challenges you've faced and what you've accomplished since Arrival Day.
Recognition is where you celebrate just how far you've already come.
What is Recognition?
Recognition marks the completion of Rookdom and a Rook's transition to recognized membership in the Norwich University Corps of Cadets.
Learn What It Means to Earn Recognition
What Comes Next?
Recognition marks the end of Rookdom, but your experience in the Corps is just beginning. What you learn during Rookdom becomes the foundation for what comes next. As you become more capable, you’ll be given greater responsibility and independence, new challenges, and more opportunities to contribute, serve, and lead.
Each year builds on the one before it, continuing to challenge you to discover just how far you can go.
Four Year Corps Progressive Leadership Experience
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Understand and Lead Yourself
A cadet's Norwich journey begins with Rook Training. This rigorous first semester experience takes students from different backgrounds, develops the basics of self-discipline, begins their exploration of who they want to become, turns them into cadets, and forms them into cohesive units. During the second semester, they will learn to lead themselves with less direct oversight, relying on the self-discipline developed during the Rook experience. This foundation allows them to become an integral part of the Corps and connects them through shared experiences with their fellow cadets and our alumni. The course of the year provides opportunities for the first-year cadets to understand and lead themselves, setting the building blocks of good leadership they will practice in subsequent years. This year includes two semesters of ROTC to complement the Corps of Cadets experience.
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Lead Others
The second-year experiences build on the foundational skills developed in the first year and focus cadets on leading and developing others. This year, cadets can be promoted to the rank of corporal and learn to be a bridge from the leader to the led. They witness first-hand the leadership and decision-making of their junior and senior leaders. They can use this experience to prepare themselves for the opportunities of their final years at Norwich. While the second-year cadets are challenged to lead others, they continue to grow personally through study, goal setting, and self-assessment, emphasizing development as a servant leader who helps individuals and units achieve their goals. Cadets also participate in two semesters of ROTC academic courses during their second year.
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Lead Small Groups
The third-year experiences allow cadets to apply their leadership knowledge and skills by leading small unit teams as cadet non-commissioned officers. In these roles, the cadets continue their development by leading small units to achieve individual and group tasks and feel the significance of being responsible for the actions of their units and subordinates. Inherent in these tasks, third-year cadets grow to understand their roles as mentors, developmental counselors, and training managers and become more confident in their communication skills and coordination abilities. Their journey takes on the challenges of further developing their physical health, mental resilience, and character refinement. Throughout this year, they are observed and mentored by the Commandant's Professional Staff and senior cadet leaders who provide guidance and evaluate their growth as leaders.
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Lead Organizations
In their final year, cadets lead all aspects of the Corps of Cadets, setting the organizational climate and culture. In both command and staff positions, they create the goals they would like their units to achieve, develop and implement plans to achieve those goals, supervise progress, and evaluate performance. During this experience, they practice and hone the leadership skills and character traits that will enable their success as a graduate. Throughout the year, they draw on the advice and guidance of the Commandant's Professional Staff.
A Different View of The Hill: Sam Eckholm Tells the Norwich Story
Renowned Social Media Creator Offer's His View On Norwich
“I walked away from every conversation I had with Norwich students thinking to myself how our country is in great hands. Anyone who can make it through four years here, balancing everything Norwich throws at you, is already a rockstar...”
Sam Eckholm is an internationally recognized content creator and storyteller and founder of SE Media, reaching more than 2.5 million followers and 500 million views worldwide. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a veteran, he was recently named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for Social Media. He has partnered with the Pentagon, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Secret Service, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, NATO allies, and leading defense contractors.
Can You See Yourself Here?
You've seen how Rookdom begins, what will be expected of you, and what the experience can give you.
Now the decision is yours: Could you see yourself becoming a Rook?
And can you see yourself getting that ring!
Already Preparing to Become a Rook?
If you've already chosen Norwich, your next step is getting ready for Rook Arrival. Find your Rook packing list, arrival information, uniform requirements, fitness preparation, required actions, and other resources for incoming students and families.