1. Corps of Cadets
  2. Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
  3. U.S. Coast Guard
  4. How to Commission

How to Commission

Rescue crew members in bright orange suits and helmets preparing for operation from open helicopter door, looking down at rural landscape below.

Ready To Get Underway?

Norwich prepares Cadets for selection as a Coast Guard Officer. We recommend you join the U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program (AUP) and the Corps of Cadets.

Corps of Cadets Member Benefits

  • Leadership opportunities
  • Military lifestyle familiarity
  • Discipline
  • Structure
  • Physical training
  • Eligibility to apply for commissioning

Naval ROTC Affiliation

Select Naval ROTC for your ROTC affiliation to attend classes closely related Coast Guard-required skills, which include:

  • Freshman year: NS 121 Introduction to Naval Science, 122 Sea Power and Maritime Affairs
  • Sophomore year: NS 221 Leadership and management, 222 Navigation
  • Junior year: NS 321 (recommended) Naval Ship Systems (naval engineering and propulsion), 322 (optional) Naval Ship Systems (weapons)
  • Senior year: NS 421 (optional) Naval Operations and Seamanship, 422 (optional) Leadership and Ethics

Join Norwich Semper Paratus Society to engage with other students on campus with Coast Guard passions including Coast Guard-specific knowledge and Coast Guard-specific PT.

Options to Commission

  1. Direct Commission Selected School Program (DCSS): Norwich Corps of Cadets seniors may apply for a Coast Guard commission through the U.S. Coast Guard’s DCSS Program.
  2. U.S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate School (OCS): Norwich seniors may apply to attend U.S. Coast Guard OCS. If selected, you would attend Officer Candidate School after graduation.
U.S. Coast Guard Station Burlington

U.S. Coast Guard Station Burlington

Vermont's own Station Burlington is a multi-mission unit under the command of Sector Northern New England (SNNE). Station Burlington’s area covers all of Lake Champlain, from the international border in Rouses, NY south to Whitehall, NY. That's responsibility for over 580 miles of shoreline and more than 435 square miles of surface water including search and rescue, law enforcement, and Homeland Security missions 24 X 7 X 365.

Station Burlington on Facebook
U.S. Coast Guard officer in white uniform shirt and blue cap smiling with arms crossed, standing in front of brick wall with evergreen trees in background.

Direct Commission Officer Ensign Shaner

Ensign Shaner was the first Norwich AUP Unit Leader to successfully complete a full term during the 2023–2024 academic year. As a plank owner, she participated in the official chartering ceremony of Norwich University’s Auxiliary University Program (AUP). Ensign Shaner graduated from the Direct Commission Officer (DCO) program, class DCO 3-24, and is currently assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit.

Why Norwich Coast Guard?

Interdisciplinary

Interdisciplinary approach that is guided by current global challenges.

Leadership

Leadership and character development in a military environment.