Deciding to attend a Navy ROTC unit at one of the many colleges across the nation takes a bit more commitment and dedication than is required by normal undergraduates. They have to be prepared and be able to perform all the technical duties required by Midshipmen in the Navy, the Marine Corps, or as a Nurse. On top of the normal course-work, Navy ROTC Midshipmen undergo military training which means less time attending parties or hanging out with friends. It can definitely hamper down that “college lifestyle” so many high school seniors look forward to when enrolling as an undergraduate. And if you’ve received a scholarship to join the NROTC program, you’re required to spend your summers training alongside other enlisted Navy personnel on fleets across the world. If you’re unsure about enlisting into the Navy, instead of joining the United States Naval Academy, researching Navy ROTC units based in different colleges would be a great way too find out if you were born to live on the sea.
Finding Navy ROTC colleges
The purpose of Navy ROTC units found in many of the nations universities and colleges are to provide trained officers if, in the case of an emergency, rapid expansion of the military were required. There are also college prep schools which yearly pump out prime sea-loving navy students ready to answer the call when needed. Once you’ve join the Navy ROTC program, you’re considered to be in the Navy Reserve; if instead you joined the United States Naval Academy, you’d be considered active duty. A great place to find Navy ROTC based colleges is by going to the NROTC website where they provide a list of colleges that offer NROTC programs.
The Marine Option
If you’re joining the program and you’re interested in becoming a Marine, be aware that because of budget cutting efforts and the lack of need, the Marine Corps future is being question by members of the Pentagon. They say that since amphibious assaults haven’t been necessary in recent wars (Iraq and Afgahnistan), the Marine Corps has “gotten too big” and have moved away from their original purpose instead functioning more like the Army. Taking into account the prospects of each option (the Navy, Navy Nurse, and Marine option), would be wise in deciding which avenue you take so you won’t have to deal with any hassles in the future. You’ll want the skills and the training you’ve receive to still be in high demand once graduated, limiting any frustrations major structural changes from higher-ups may cause.
Required Courses
Once you’ve joined an NROTC program at your college or university, you’re required to take Naval related classes that include history, engineering and weapons. And with the Navy being such a technical career, math and science related courses are required as well. And in addition to courses that train you for the technical aspects of being a Naval Officer, since the nature of your lifestyle will call for you to be culturally diverse, courses that contribute to those qualities are also required.
Navy ROTC Scholarships
If you’re a high school senior and are interested in Navy ROTC Scholarships, you’ll want to visit the ROTC website to gain more information and to apply. They require that you keep a minimum GPA, and that you also perform satisfactory within the ROTC program. They’ll provide full tuition coverage and also provide a monthly stipend for books and other college related expenses. Joining the Navy ROTC program is an exciting and rewarding experience if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit more than the average undergraduate.
