College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Naval ROTC

Overview

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) offers eligible young men and women the opportunity to earn commissions in the Navy or Marine Corps. NROTC midshipmen are required to complete the naval science curriculum and attend weekly laboratory sessions. During summer vacations, midshipmen participate in active duty at-sea or shore-based training facilities for periods of approximately four weeks. Students may enroll in the NROTC Program at the start of college or at any time during their freshmen or sophomore years. Two-, three-, and four-year scholarships are available for those who demonstrate outstanding potential. Upon completion of university degree requirements and the naval science program, qualified midshipmen are commissioned as Ensigns in the Navy (Navy-option) or Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corps (Marine-option). Presently, all graduates are ordered to active duty within six months of graduation and receive full pay and allowances immediately upon commissioning.

Students may join NROTC through any one of the following four programs.

Four-Year National Scholarship Program

Students enter the NROTC Four-Year Scholarship Program through national competition and are appointed Midshipmen in the Naval Reserve. While enrolled the government provides tuition, fees, uniforms, book allowance, and a monthly allowance. Students complete required naval science courses and participate in three summer training periods of approximately four weeks each. Upon graduation midshipmen are commissioned with an obligation to serve on active duty for at least four years.

Two-Year National Scholarship Program

Sophomore students not in the NROTC Program may qualify for enrollment in the Two-Year Scholarship Program. Selection for this program is made by the Naval Service Training Command based on the student's academic record, physical qualifications, and an interview. Application begins at the NROTC Unit during the fall semester before the last two undergraduate years. Selected applicants attend six weeks of instruction at the Naval Science Institute (NSI) at Newport, Rhode Island during the summer following application to bring them up-to-date on the NROTC curriculum missed during their freshman and sophomore years. Successful completion of NSI qualifies two-year applicants for appointment as midshipmen in the Naval Reserve and enrollment in the NROTC Scholarship Program. Upon acceptance of this appointment, these students receive all the benefits and assume all the obligations of midshipmen in the Four-Year Scholarship Program.

Four-Year College Program

Students are enrolled in the Four-Year College Program upon acceptance by the Professor of Naval Science. Uniforms and Naval Science textbooks are provided and, during their junior and senior years if accepted for advanced standing, College Program students receive a monthly allowance. College Program students are obligated to complete the prescribed naval science curriculum, attend one summer at-sea training period, accept a commission in the Naval Reserve or Marine Corps Reserve upon graduation, and serve on active duty after graduation a minimum of three years for Navy personnel and 3-1/2 years for the Marine Corps. After commissioning, application for transfer to the regular Navy or Marine Corps may be made.

Two- and Three-Year NSTC Controlled Scholarship Program

Students enrolled in the NROTC College Program and in good standing may be nominated by the Commanding Officer/Professor of Naval Science for a limited number of two- and three-year scholarships awarded by the Naval Service Training Command. If selected and found medically qualified, these students receive the same benefits and incur the same obligations as the Four-Year Scholarship Program.

Two-Year College Program

Sophomore students not in the NROTC Program may qualify for enrollment in the advanced Two-Year College Program by successfully completing the Naval Science Institute (NSI) program during the summer before their third academic year. Application is made to the Professor of Naval Science by the start of the spring semester of the sophomore year and, upon acceptance, students will receive all benefits and assume all obligations of Advanced Standing College Program midshipmen.

Requirements for All Candidates

Qualifications for acceptable candidates for the Scholarship Programs or the College Programs include: U.S. citizenship; membership in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets; fulfillment of physical examination requirements; and willingness to participate in required summer training periods and to accept the appropriate commission in the Navy, Marine Corps, Naval Reserve, or Marine Corps Reserve when offered.

If not included in the requirements of their majors or the Curriculum for Liberal Education (a.k.a. University Core Curriculum) and college core curriculum, NROTC Navy-option scholarship students must complete the following: one year of college calculus through differential and integral calculus of one real variable; one year of calculus-based physics; one year of American military affairs or national security policy; one year of English; and one semester of computer science.

During NROTC enrollment, each midshipman also will be required to pass semiannual physical fitness tests and to qualify as a swimmer before going on summer cruise.

Emerging Leader Scholarship Program

The university, in conjunction with the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Alumni Association, is offering a scholarship to incoming freshmen who are enrolled in an ROTC program and become members of the Corps of Cadets. Contact the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets for more information.

Leadership Minor

Students participating in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets are eligible for a minor in leadership based on the training and experience they gain while a member of the Corps. Students who complete one of the three ROTC programs may qualify to receive the minor when they complete their bachelor's degree. Contact the Center for Leader Development for more information.

Course Descriptions (MN)

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