College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Naval ROTC

Overview

TThe 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 the beginning of their sophomore year. Two-, three-, and four-year scholarships may be 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).

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, uniform allowance, 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 five 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 selection 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. Naval Science textbooks and a uniform allowance 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.

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.

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 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 semester of American military affairs or national security policy; one year of English; and an Area 2 class approved by your NROTC advisor.

During NROTC enrollment, each midshipman 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)

1004: INTRODUCTION TO NAVAL SCIENCE
Naval profession and concept of seapower. Missions and organization of Navy and Marine Corps.  Overview of naval concerns, customs, traditions, seamanship, regulations, and military justice. I (3H,3C)

1104: NAVAL SHIPS SYSTEMS I: ENGINEERING
Ship characteristics and types.  Includes ship design, hydrodynamic forces, stability, main propulsion, electrical and auxiliary systems, interior communications, ship control, and damage control.  One semester of college level science required. Pre: 1004. (3H,3C) I,II.

2004: NAVAL SHIPS SYSTEMS II: WEAPONS
Theory and employment of naval weapons systems.  Includes threat detection, evaluation, weapon selection, delivery systems, guidance, and warhead design.  Elements of command, control, and communications. (3H,3C) I,II.

2104: SEAPOWER AND MARITIME AFFAIRS
A survey of naval history from the American Revolution to the present with emphasis on major developments in strategy, tactics, and technology.  Discussion of the geopolitical theory of Alfred Thayer Mahan.  Explores present concerns in seapower and maritime affairs, including the economic and political dimensions of ocean commerce, the Law of the Sea, a comparison of U.S. and Soviet maritime strategies, and current naval affairs. (3H,3C) II.

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

3005-3006: NAVIGATION AND NAVAL OPERATIONS
3005:  An in-depth study of the theory and practice of piloting and introduction to celestial navigation.  Students develop practical skills in the use of charts, visual and electronic aids.  A study of the International Rules of the Nautical Road.  3006:  Relative motion, vector-analysis theory, and ship employment.  Includes an introduction to naval operations, ship characteristics, shiphandling, and afloat communications. I (3H,3C)

3204: EVOLUTION OF WARFARE
Development of warfare focusing on impact of major military theorists, strategists, and technicians.  Ancient times to present. I, Pre: 2104. (3H,3C)

4005-4006: LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT/ETHICS
Advanced-level study of leadership and management theory, including planning, organizing, communication, decision-making, and individual and group behavior. Explores major behavioral theories; practical applications involve experiential exercises, case studies, and laboratory discussions.  4006:  Ethics and management in the Navy. Includes study of professionalism and ethics, human resources development, counseling, military law, personnel evaluation, administration, and material management. Pre: SOC 1004. (3H,3C) I,II.

4204: AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE
Historical survey of the development of amphibious doctrine and the conduct of amphibious operations.  Emphasis is on amphibious operations in World War II.  Present day potential and limitations on amphibious operations are explored. I (3H,3C)

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course. II.

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