Frequently Asked Questions
We are always happy to help students understand our leadership and service model and talk about active campus military clubs and student organizations. The following cover some of the most common FAQs.
Basics
Why do students join Naval ROTC?
Students join NROTC to commission as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps, develop leadership skills, and gain personal and professional growth. Others seek scholarship benefits, specialized training, or the sense of community that comes with being part of a unique organization.
What are midshipmen’s physical/athletic requirements?
Midshipmen take a physical readiness test every semester. Navy-option students are tested on pushups, plank, and a 1.5-mile run, while Marine-option students are tested on pull-ups, plank, and a 3-mile run. Swimming tests and regular Battalion workouts are also required.
What are midshipmen’s physical/athletic requirements?
Cadet midshipmen will take a physical readiness test every semester during their Norwich University tenure. Navy-option students’ tests include pushups, curl-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. Midshipmen must also pass swimming tests. Regular workouts are required.
If I join Naval ROTC, am I in the military or still a civilian?
Scholarship NROTC midshipmen hold "inactive reservist" status and participate in summer training in a reserve capacity. College Programmers without scholarships are civilians until they activate their scholarship.
Do Naval ROTC cadets wear uniforms to class every day?
NROTC midshipmen wear their Corps of Cadets uniform everyday, and wear their branch specific uniforms one day a week.
What’s the weekly time commitment for ROTC?
An average week includes about 10 hours of class, physical training, and occasional weekend commitments, increasing with seniority in the Battalion.
What leadership opportunities are available in the NROTC unit?
The Battalion is student-led with oversight from Active Duty staff. Starting sophomore year, midshipmen can take leadership roles, such as Team Leader, Squad Leader, Company Commander, or Battalion Commanding Officer as a senior.
Are there additional academic requirements for NROTC students?
NROTC midshipmen must take naval science courses, with Navy-option scholarship students completing two semesters of calculus and calculus-based physics by their junior year. Marine-option midshipmen have marine-specific naval science courses and must take two English courses and one American history course.
What are the options for summer training cruises?
All midshipmen must complete New Student Indoctrination (NSI) before receiving their scholarships. NSI takes place before freshman year for four-year national scholarship recipients, while college program midshipmen complete it instead of CORTRAMID or their second summer cruise.
After freshman year, midshipmen attend CORTRAMID (Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen) to explore the four basic "line officer" specialties—aviation, submarines, surface ships, and Marine Corps operations.
After sophomore year, Navy-option students train aboard a surface ship or submarine, gaining experience from an enlisted perspective, while Marine-option students embed with a Marine Corps unit during Fleet Marine Force training.
After junior year, Navy-option students undergo junior officer training aboard ships, submarines, or in a squadron, while Marine-option midshipmen attend Officer Candidate School (OCS).
Who pays for transportation during summer cruises?
The Navy covers travel expenses to and from the cruise site each summer. Additionally, you get paid while you are on the summer cruise, with most of our midshipmen making around $1000 during their trip.