Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ)

Many high school students who were considering joining the NROTC program have asked specific questions about NROTC in an attempt to determine whether they were suited to the program and vice versa. If you or your parents have questions about the NROTC program, take the time to read this document; it may help you to understand who and what we are and whether the NROTC program is for you. Read the whole paper; there may be some questions that you haven't even thought of yet. Following are the most frequently asked questions about the NROTC program and their answers.

Q. What is the purpose of the NROTC program? [top]

A. Our purpose is to train college students for leadership roles as commissioned officers in the Navy and Marine Corps.

Q. Can I join the NROTC program even if I do not want a naval career? [top]

A. Certainly. Very few people of high school age, or even college age, will know what they want to do for an occupation for the rest of their lives. Some of our students may decide to make the naval service their career after they are in it for a while, but there is no long-term obligation to do so.

Q. Why do most students join the NROTC? [top]

A. There is a variety of good reasons for joining, and each student has his own personal reasons. Some students want to take advantage of the scholarship benefits. Some students join because they want to be Navy or Marine Corps officers and prefer NROTC to attending the Naval Academy. Some students know that they want careers in aviation or nuclear power, and join to receive advanced training in those fields.

Q. What are the NROTC scholarship benefits? [top]

A. The scholarship covers full tuition at Notre Dame University for two or four years depending on when the student applies for a scholarship. In addition each scholarship student receives: educational fees; uniforms; $375 towards books each semester; and a monthly subsistence allowance. The NROTC pays for scholarship students' initial transportation from home to school and from school to summer cruise training.

Q. Are there any benefits for the non-scholarship (Basic College Program) students? [top]

A. Yes. Students who enter the the College Program prior to their sophomore year can compete for scholarships (twice per year). Student who apply after the start of their sophomore year should consider a Two-Year NROTC Scholarship.

Q. Does the scholarship cover room and board expenses? [top]

A. No. Those expenses must be borne by the individual families. Students who find that room and board payments represent a financial hardship should investigate Notre Dame's financial aid program. Many of our NROTC students, and most other Notre Dame students, receive some form of financial aid from the university, either in the form of grants, loans, or work-study jobs on campus.

Q. What is my active duty obligation after graduation? [top]

A. We have two categories of students. Our scholarship students are obligated for four years of active duty after graduation. They accept the obligation at the beginning of the sophomore year. Our College Program (non-scholarship) students are obligated for three years of active duty after graduation. They accept the obligation at the beginning of their junior year or upon selection of the scholarship.

Q. Does that mean that there is no obligation incurred by incoming freshmen when they join the program? [top]

A. Correct. Scholarship students have a year, and College Program students have two years to experience the NROTC program before they have to decide whether to remain in the program and to incur the obligation, or to leave the program without obligation.

Q. If I join the NROTC program, what kind of military duties should I expect after graduation? [top]

A. Most of our students, male and female, will graduate as "line officers". That means that they will be expected to go on to further training in aviation, submarines, or conventional or nuclear powered surface ships. There are a very limited number of medical school scholarships. We also have a NROTC Nurse Corps option leading to a commission in the Navy Nurse Corps. As a Nursing Student you would apply to and attend St. Mary's College or Indiana University at South Bend, as Notre Dame does not have a nursing program. Those who choose (and are accepted for) the Marine Corps can go into aviation or ground officer assignments.

Q. Do scholarship and non-scholarship students receive identical assignments after graduation? [top]

A. Yes. Assignments are made on the basis of the student's choices, qualifications, and performance. Scholarship status is not a factor in the assignment process.

Q. As a scholarship applicant, how do I know whether I am being selected as a Navy or Marine Option candidate? [top]

A. When you send in the initial scholarship application form, you select either the Navy or Marine Corps box on the form. The box you check will determine the application's routing. You will be contacted by a Navy or Marine corps recruiter to complete your application processing, according to the box you checked. If you are processed by a Navy recruiter, then you will be eligible for a Navy Option scholarship. The Navy and Marine Corps conduct their own scholarship selection boards to consider their own candidates. The Marine Corps is a much smaller service than the Navy and requires fewer new officers each year. Thus, the number of NROTC scholarships awarded by the Marine Corps is far fewer than offered by the Navy.

Q. Would I get the choice of duty I want after graduation? [top]

A. Most likely. At the beginning of the senior year, fall semester, our students state their duty preferences, and most will get their first choice of duty. There are some prerequisites, such as being physically qualified for aviation, and having the right college major and GPA for nuclear powered ships and submarines. Here at Notre Dame, we are VERY proud of our success rate in getting our midshipmen their FIRST choice of assignment.

Q. Can I be guaranteed flight school after graduation? [top]

A. The Navy does not give such a guarantee. However, experience has shown that a solid academic performance at Notre Dame, and high scores on the aviation aptitude exam, plus being physically qualified for aviation, will give a Midshipman an excellent chance of getting aviation. The Marine Corps does offer flight guarantees, which can be granted by meeting the requirements any time up to 90 days before graduation.

Q. What about graduate school? Is there any way to go directly to graduate school, and to serve the obligated military service after graduate school? [top]

A. That is a possibility, but not a very likely one unless you have an exceptional record of undergraduate academic work. A few top students are selected each year to go on to graduate school, but the majority are expected to enter the military after graduation. Keep in mind, though, that the Navy and Marine Corps have their own Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and you will be eligible for assignment there after your first three or four years of active duty. This will enable you to obtain a graduate degree in the field of your choice while receiving full pay.

Q. Is medical school in that same category? Can I go from the NROTC program directly into medical school, and then serve my obligated time as a Navy doctor? [top]

A. Maybe. At this time, a maximum of 25 NROTC Midshipmen nationwide receive permission to apply to medical school each year. If admitted to medical school, they attend immediately following graduation. Under this program, students begin to serve their obligation following their residency.

Q. Do I have to major in some particular subject if I join the NROTC? [top]

A. No. Any of the available majors at Notre Dame are allowable. We encourage our students to pursue some form of technical major, but that is not a requirement. Those who major in non-technical subjects will have to take a few technical courses, namely calculus and physics, to prepare them for the technological environment that they will encounter in their military service. These technical courses, even for non-tech majors, will usually count toward degree requirements because all majors require some math and science course work.

Q. Would I be allowed to change my major once I am in the NROTC program? [top]

A. Certainly, provided that you could still graduate on time. If, by changing majors, you will graduate behind your contemporaries (more than four years of academic work), you will have to pay the educational costs beyond the four-year point and have the extra time approved.

Q. What are the specific courses that I must take if I join the NROTC program that I would not otherwise have to take? [top]

A. NROTC students take, on average, two Naval Science courses per year, one each in the fall and Spring semesters. These courses are taken as electives in whatever major you choose. All Navy/Marine option scholarship students must take one course in American Military History/National Security Policy. All Navy option students are required to take two courses in English Composition. Navy option students are also required to take one course in computer science. Additionally, scholarship students (not including Marine option students) must take two semesters of calculus and two semesters of physics. The NROTC Unit provides professional tutoring in calculus and physics for those students who need a little help with these difficult subjects. Additionally, the Unit will accept some AP credit for all academic requirements if these credits appear on the Notre Dame transcript. In all cases, class advisors assist in scheduling.

Q. How does the Marine training differ from Navy training? [top]

A. In most respects, it is the same. Marine option students are not required to take calculus and physics courses. Marine option students take different Naval Science courses in their junior and senior years, and in the summer after their junior year they take part in the Officer Candidate School (OCS) training program "BULLDOG" at Quantico, Virginia. Our Marine Officer Instructor guides them in their development, and upon graduation they are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Q. What will I do on summer training cruises? [top]

A. There are three different cruises. The first summer cruise, after the freshman year, gives all scholarship students the chance to learn about the four basic "line officer" specialties. The students spend one week at each of four locations to receive indoctrination in aviation, submarine, surface ships, and Marine Corps amphibious operations. The second summer cruise, which all scholarship students take after the sophomore year, is aboard either a surface ship or submarine (student's choice) and is geared toward experiencing the Navy from an enlisted viewpoint. The summer cruise after the junior year provides junior officer training aboard ships or submarines for the Navy students, and at the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Virginia for the Marine Corps students. College Program students complete one summer training cruise; their cruise is the same as their scholarship student counterparts' after the junior year. Nurse Corps students take two cruises, one aboard ship after freshman year, and one at a Naval Hospital after junior year.

Q. I need to work during the summer. May I? [top]

A. The summer cruises are part of our curriculum and are a required part of the program. However, we will allow you to state your preference for when you would like to take the cruise. The cruises are only four to six weeks long, so you should still be able to work for part of the summer. Also, the Midshipmen are paid about $550 per month during the duration of the cruise.

Q. Where do we go during summer cruise, and who pays for our transportation? [top]

A. Our students travel all over the world on cruises. The Navy pays for travel expenses from school or your home to the cruise site and your return to home each summer. Our juniors have many options available to them. They can request Aircraft Carrier or Patrol Squadron cruises and special training with Navy Seals. They may also request a foreign exchange cruise for their final summer. Each year, several of our students take summer cruises aboard ships of a foreign Navy. Some degree of foreign language ability is required to cruise with non-English speaking navies.

Q. You mentioned that you have women in the NROTC program; how does their training differ from that of the men? [top]

A. It is nearly identical. The physical fitness standards are a little different for women; and women cannot cruise aboard submarines. Other than that, the women train the same as the men.

Q. Do NROTC graduates have the same opportunities as Naval Academy graduates when it comes time for duty assignments after graduation? [top]

A. Yes. NROTC and Academy graduates have identical opportunities to go into the fields of their choice. When it comes time to state duty preferences and to be selected for duty assignments, students with higher academic and aptitude rankings, regardless of where they go to school, will be most likely to receive their first choice of assignments.

Q. Do NROTC Midshipmen wear uniforms to classes every day like they do at the Naval Academy? [top]

A. No. NROTC Midshipmen are only required to wear the uniform on either Wednesday or Thursday for their Naval Science classes and Lab. Lab, otherwise known as drill, may consist of military formation, classroom sessions, general briefings, tactical scenarios, or physical fitness training.

Q. Are NROTC Midshipmen housed together on campus? [top]

A. No. Each student makes his or her own arrangements with the university for housing. Students will be assigned to a residence hall. Some upperclassmen choose to live in, and share the expenses of, nearby apartments.

Q. How do I go about applying for an NROTC scholarship? [top]

A1. Start the process at the end of your junior year. Go to the NROTC Website (Click) and fill out the online application. You must also have your ACT or SAT scores sent to the scholarship board, and they must arrive before December 31st. A recruiter should contact you to schedule additional aspects of the application process, including interview and medical exam.

A2. After arriving on campus as a college freshman. By entering NROTC as a college program student, you may be eliginble to apply for a three-year scholarship during your freshman year. The staff at the NROTC will assist you in preparing the application. If you receive a scholarship and accept it, you incur the same obligation as a four-year scholarship student entering their sophomore year.

Q. Is there any particular advantage in applying for the NROTC scholarship before the 1 January deadline? [top]

A. Absolutely. The earlier you apply, the earlier you can be selected for a scholarship. The Marine Corps holds two scholarship selection boards each year: an early board in November, and a final board in February. If you finish your application processing in time to be considered by the early board, you can be picked months earlier than those who wait until the last minute to apply. The Navy conducts a continuous selection process from September through April. Navy Option students are considered for scholarship selection as soon as their completed application packages are received by the board. Knowing your scholarship selection status in the fall can be a big advantage in helping you to make decisions about which universities you can afford and to which you should apply. By all means, apply for the scholarship as early as you can. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. ALSO, APPLY TO ALL THE SCHOOLS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN, REGARDLESS OF COST, SINCE IT IS LIKELY THAT THE UNIVERSITY APPLICATION DEADLINE WILL PASS BEFORE YOU KNOW YOUR SCHOLARSHIP RESULTS.

Q. What are the basic qualifications to join the NROTC program? [top]

A. You must be a U.S. citizen; you must be at least 17 years old as of September 1st of the year you enter the program; and you must be able to graduate by age 25. Age waivers are available for those with previous military service. College Program students can join at the age of 16 and must be able to graduate by the age of 27 1/2. You must be a high school graduate and you must be medically qualified. Men must be between 62 and 78 inches tall (66 to 78 for Marines); women between 60 and 78 inches tall (same for Marines). Weight should be proportionate to height. Vision must be correctable to 20/20 with refractive error not exceeding +6.0 diopters (+7.0 diopters for nurses). Normal color vision is required for Navy students. There is no color vision requirement for Marine Option students. There can be no severe hay fever or chronic rhinitis, and no history of asthma since the 12th birthday. Positive HIV is disqualifying.

Q. Will my scholarship selection be held up if I have trouble passing the medical exam? [top]

A. The scholarship selection process is completely independent of the medical examination. Scholarship selection is based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated leadership potential. You can be selected as a scholarship nominee even before you take the medical exam; but, of course, it cannot be awarded to you until you have passed the medical exam. The importance of completing and passing the medical exam cannot be over-emphasized. It is up to you to do all you can to complete the medical exam in a timely fashion. If follow-on exams or inputs from your local doctor are required, then you must ensure you meet these requirements.

Q. If I require a physical waiver, would that jeopardize my chances for a scholarship? [top]

A. It might in some cases. Congress limits us to having no more than 35% of our scholarship students on physical waivers; so, if you are one of the last students to be offered a scholarship, that Congressional limitation could affect your chances.

Q. If I am notified that some physical problem will disqualify me from scholarship eligibility, is there anything I can do? [top]

A. That depends on the nature of the problem. Some problems, such as minor eye corrections, can be waived. Some problems, such as having had certain childhood diseases, or a family history of diabetes, can cloud your medical record to the point that additional medical evidence may be required to substantiate your qualification. Unless you are told that your condition is absolutely disqualifying, you should do all that you can to obtain medical certification. Letters from family doctors or your local specialists can help to show that your condition should not be disqualifying. When in doubt, ask for a medical waiver.

Q. In addition to the medical exam, is there a physical fitness exam required for scholarship selection? [top]

A. Marine Option students are required to pass a physical fitness exam to be eligible for scholarship selection. Navy Option students do not take this exam as a prerequisite to selection. Once in the NROTC program, all Midshipmen are required to pass a semi-annual physical readiness test, which, for Navy option students, consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. All Midshipmen are encouraged to seek excellence in their physical fitness, and to do more than the minimums in their fitness tests. Marine Option students take a slightly different test that consists of pull-ups, sit-ups, and a 3 mile run.

Q. What are my chances of receiving a scholarship? [top]

A. Each year, more than 12,000 students complete the application requirements for an NROTC scholarship. In 1999, about 1700 total scholarships were awarded. That sounds like a small chance for a scholarship, but the odds are much better than that. Many of those 12,000 NROTC applicants apply for other scholarships, too. When the time comes to award the scholarships, a large number of students will decline the NROTC offer because they have received similar offers from the other ROTC's, or from service academies, or from universities. The real odds of receiving a scholarship are higher and, of course, directly proportional to the quality of the individual's academic and extra-curricular records. In addition, there are many three-year scholarships awarded to College Program students. The selection process is based upon your performance in both academics and aptitude and is very competitive.

Q. How are the scholarships awarded? [top]

A. The scholarship selection board meets bi-weekly from October through March of each year in Pensacola, Florida. This board is made up of different groups of NROTC Unit Commanding Officers and Executive Officers (Navy Captains & Commanders). Because of the rolling nature of the board, you could be awarded a scholarship anytime from November through April. If you are ever in doubt as to the status of your scholarship application package, feel free to call 1-800-NAV-ROTC and ask or visit the following website: https://www.nrotc.navy.mil

Q. If I missed the January 1st deadline for the scholarship application, is there any way that I can still obtain an NROTC scholarship? [top]

A. Yes, but not through the process that I just described. Students can become eligible for the award of a scholarship by joining their NROTC Unit in the College Program (non-scholarship) status. After one academic term, the student can be recommended for scholarship status to the Chief of Naval Education and Training, who is empowered to award scholarships to promising College Program students. In general, if you can earn better than a 3.2 GPA in your first academic term, achieve a "B" or better in Calculus, and demonstrate a high aptitude for Naval Service, you will have a good chance for a NROTC scholarship.

Q. What does the term "board eligible" mean? [top]

A. When you initially apply for the NROTC scholarship, you must release your SAT or ACT scores to the scholarship board. When your scores are received, and they are high enough to qualify you for the NROTC program, you become "board eligible". At that point, your recruiter will schedule you for your interview, aptitude test, physical exam, and anything else that needs to be completed. In order to have your record appear before the scholarship selection board, you must complete all aspects of the application procedure, with the exception of the physical exam, which can be done later. It is up to you to ensure that all of this is completed in time for the selection board. At the latest, you should complete the paperwork portion of the application by early January.

Q. How much of my time at school will be tied up in NROTC activities? [top]

A. As much as you want, but at least eight hours a week. Your Naval Science courses meet three hours per week and replace other electives, so those courses should not be thought of as extra requirements. In addition, there is a two-hour drill session each week, and you may be asked to devote about two nights per month in required activities. There are a number of NROTC extra curricular activities available to you if you are interested in them. We sponsor formal and informal dinners, parties, picnics, and we participate in Notre Dame's intra-mural athletics with a variety of NROTC teams. Almost all of these activities are purely voluntary.

Q. If I join the NROTC program, am I in the military, or am I still a civilian? [top]

A. NROTC Midshipmen are given the same status as "inactive reservists". You will get a "reserve" military ID card, but you will be a civilian during all but the summer training cruise periods of your curriculum. The summer training is performed in an active duty "reserve" status.

Q. How are tuition payments and book purchases handled for scholarship students? [top]

A. The NROTC Unit will pay your tuition and fees directly to the university. Midshipmen will be given $375 to pay for books each term. Incoming freshman are required to pay a tuition deposit and a housing deposit before school starts. You must pay these deposits. The tuition deposit is applied toward your first tuition bill. Since the Navy will pay that tuition bill, your initial tuition deposit can be returned to you after school starts, or it can be applied to a future housing bill, at your option.

Q. If I am given an NROTC scholarship, does that guarantee that I will be admitted to Notre Dame? [top]

A. No. The scholarship selection process is TOTALLY INDEPENDENT of the Notre Dame admission process. You must seek admission to Notre Dame or some other NROTC university. Remember that the NROTC scholarship cannot be awarded to you until you have been accepted for admission at an NROTC school. It is a good idea for NROTC scholarship applicants to apply to more than one NROTC school to ensure acceptance to at least one NROTC school.

Q. Are NROTC scholarship selectees given any preferential treatment in the Notre Dame admission process? [top]

A. No. The same personal characteristics and academic credentials are considered in scholarship selection and in Notre Dame admission. Selection for a scholarship is a good indication that you may be selected for admission; but it is neither guaranteed nor implied. The NROTC scholarship committee might place more emphasis on leadership potential as evidenced in extra curricular athletics or school government activities. The university might place more emphasis on academic achievement. The admissions committee will certainly take note of the way your application is completed. Is it neat and legible? Is it typed, or completed in pencil? Did the applicant put real thought and energy into its completion? Does the student seem to want Notre Dame, or does the application seem to be just one of several that fired off to various universities?

Q. Should I wait for the results of the NROTC scholarship selection before I apply for admission to Notre Dame? [top]

A. Absolutely not! In most cases, you will not be able to wait. The deadline for admission application to Notre Dame is early in the spring. Unless you are fortunate enough to be selected for an early scholarship, you may not know your NROTC scholarship status until after Notre Dame's deadline. So, you will likely have to apply for admission before you know of your scholarship selection - a small investment that could pay big dividends later.

Q. Can you offer any hints regarding what the scholarship selection board looks for in making its selections? [top]

A. Yes. The NROTC scholarship selection board will consider the "whole person", including College Board scores, grades, class standing, athletics, participation in extra curricular activities, recommendations, interview results, and perceived potential. We are looking for the future leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps. We want well-rounded students who are intelligent enough to excel in academics, athletic enough to meet the physical challenges of military service, and who are personable and dynamic enough to assume roles as military leaders. It is not enough to be only bright, or only athletic, or only personable. It takes a combination of the three qualities to be a successful Naval Officer. Officer candidates must also be of high moral character. Students with criminal records or who have gone beyond experimentation with illegal drugs are not likely officer candidates. Take care in selecting those who will provide written recommendations for you. If a candidate is depicted as being an average run-of-the-mill student, it will detract from the board's assessment of the individual. The application interview with your local recruiter is also vitally important. Look sharp and present yourself well. College Board scores can be a positive factor for the student, but only insofar as they are supported by actual academic achievement. A student with high SAT or ACT scores, but mediocre grades and class standing, is less desirable than a student with moderate scores and high grades and standing. One is coasting and the other is a hard working achiever.

Q. As an NROTC scholarship student, can I attend the university of my choice? [top]

A. Yes, providing that the University has an NROTC Unit or that it has an agreement with a Unit at a nearby university for you to attend in a "cross-enrolled" status. In the NROTC scholarship application process, you will be asked your university preference. After you receive a scholarship, your admission status will be monitored by the NROTC Unit at your first choice school. Your scholarship cannot be awarded until you have gained admission to your first-choice school. If you are denied admission to your first-choice school, or if your choices change due to personal preference, you must notify the Chief of Naval Education and Training of your new desires. Occasionally, an NROTC Unit's freshmen class may fill. When this happens, scholarship nominees, who had wanted to attend that school, may be asked to attend their second-choice school if they have been admitted there. This is not a common occurrence. MAKE SURE THE CHIEF OF NAVAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING KNOWS WHAT YOUR CURRENT FIRST CHOICE SCHOOL IS, SINCE IT MAY CHANGE THROUGH YOUR SENIOR YEAR.

Q. Can I join the Unit and attend school elsewhere? [top]

A. Yes. You can join our Unit as a "cross-enrolled" student if you would like to attend St. Mary's College or Indiana University at South Bend (Nursing only). We have an agreement that will allow you to use an NROTC scholarship to attend either previously mentioned school when you gain admission. As a "cross-enrolled" student, you would attend either St. Mary's or IUSB as a full time student, and come to the Notre Dame campus to attend Naval Science classes. St. Mary's is across the street from Notre Dame while IUSB is about a 15 minute drive.

Q. If I want to change my first-choice school, who do I tell? [top]

A. You should wait until after you are notified of selection as a scholarship nominee, and then email or write to the Chief of Naval Education and Training (Code N1/081), Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL 32508 advising them of your new first-choice school. This cannot be done on the telephone.

Q. I am trying to decide which university to attend. Are there any differences among the various NROTC Units? [top]

A. The naval science curriculum at each school is identical. If there are any apparent differences among NROTC Units, they are due to the customs and traditions of the Units, and the personalities of the Unit Staffs, and even the Midshipmen in those Units. My advice would be to choose your university on the basis of its overall reputation in the major of your choice. Look at the reputation of the graduates of the school. You should narrow your choices down to a few, and then visit those campuses (and their NROTC Units) to help you make the final decision.

Q. Who teaches the Naval Science courses? [top]

A. The NROTC staff is composed of active duty Navy and Marine Corps officers and enlisted personnel. The Naval Science courses are taught by the staff officers. These same officers will double as your NROTC class advisors, providing guidance and assistance, as necessary, in your academic and military pursuits.

Q. What will happen if I decided not to continue in the NROTC program after I have started the sophomore year and incurred an obligation for active duty? [top]

A. There are several reasons and circumstances for leaving the NROTC program. There is no obligation at all if you quit before the sophomore year. If, after the start of the sophomore year, you decide to quit, then you will either have to pay back tuition expended, or go on active military service in enlisted status immediately if you drop out of college, or upon graduation if you stay in college. If a medical problem develops that would preclude you from commissioning, then the obligation would most likely be erased. If you drop from the program because of your own misconduct or inaptitude, you could be required to reimburse the Navy for your tuition and book expenditures at the discretion of the Secretary of the Navy.

Q. Could I avoid the obligated service if I simply repay the Navy for my tuition and book expenditures? [top]

A. The Secretary of the Navy reserves final determination for either tuition reimbursement or active military service if you are disenrolled for any reason.

Q. If I start out as a Marine Option student, can I switch to be a Navy option student, or vice versa? [top]

A. You can change from one option to the other, but it is not automatic. You must request the change, and both Navy and Marine Corps officials must approve it. The changing of option after the sophomore year is discouraged because it involves making up the specialized courses that are begun for Navy and Marine option students beginning in the junior year.

Q. Is there an orientation for new NROTC students? [top]

A. Yes. Every year the Notre Dame NROTC unit hosts a freshmen orientation program. The next Orientation is scheduled for 19 August through 24 August 2007. It lasts five days, and is at the University of Notre Dame. The expense of the orientation is borne by the Navy. At Orientation, freshmen are introduced to military discipline and are fitted for their uniforms. They learn basic seamanship and undergo a variety of activities to prepare them to become members of the Midshipman Battalion. They receive physical fitness training and tests, swimming tests, sail training, marching instruction and some classroom instruction. By the time school starts, the freshmen will be fully functioning and knowledgeable members of the Unit.

Q. Is the freshmen orientation like a boot camp? [top]

A. No. The orientation is run by the upper-class Midshipmen and supervised by the NROTC Unit staff. We stress the need for discipline and teamwork, and some people have to adjust their attitude a bit. Orientation is intended to be relatively low stress and is certainly less stressful compared to a real boot-camp, or compared to what the service academy freshmen go through for their entire first year. The orientation is not easy. It is physically and mentally demanding. After the initial trauma of the discovery of discipline, most students find the orientation enjoyable and rewarding. It is also an excellent opportunity to get to know a your freshmen classmates before school starts.

Q. Can you describe how a Midshipman fits into the university? [top]

A. An NROTC Midshipman is a civilian, pursuing his or her own academic degree in a normal university environment, in the same manner as a non-Midshipman would. The only difference is that Midshipman takes a series of Naval Science courses, and she wears a uniform to class once a week. Midshipmen are free to join fraternities or sororities, and enjoy all aspects of campus life. Our offices and classrooms are just like all other offices and classrooms on campus. You will blend in with and participate in the campus activities of your choice. When you graduate, you will serve with pride as a Navy or Marine Corps officer.

Q. I have no experience with the military; how do I know if I will fit in? [top]

A. You do not know, and neither did any of us who are in the military now. You have to join the program and experience it for yourself. That's why the first year is without obligation. We are looking for intelligent and physically fit men and women of high moral character who can be trained to assume positions of leadership and great responsibility in the Navy and Marine Corps. If you fit that description, and if you prefer to be a leader rather than a follower, then you owe it to yourself to give it a try.

Q. How can I contact the unit? [top]

A. Contact the recruiting officer, at (800) 722-1557