Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC): Navy and Marine Corps Options

What is NROTC?

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) is a college program that helps students become commissioned officers in the United States Navy or Marine Corps.

You attend a regular college or university, work on your major like any other student, and add:

• Naval Science classes
• A weekly leadership lab
• Physical training sessions
• Required summer training experiences

If you finish NROTC and meet all the requirements, you’ll graduate and become an ensign in the Navy or a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. NROTC is one of the main ways people become Navy and Marine Corps officers, so it’s a popular path for those who want to serve as officers.

Navy and Marine Corps Options in NROTC

Inside the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, you choose a track:

• The Navy option for future Navy officers
• The Marine option for future Marine Corps officers

Both groups are called NROTC midshipmen, but they focus on different training and career goals. Everyone starts on the same campus, but your labs, PT, and summer training will match the community you want to join.

How NROTC Fits into College Life

NROTC is set up to work alongside a regular full-time college schedule. Most midshipmen can expect:

• One Naval Science class each term
• A weekly leadership lab or drill period
• Early morning PT several times per week, especially for the Marine option
• Uniform days on campus
• Required summer training cruises for scholarship students

You’ll still live in regular dorms or apartments, take classes with non-military students, and can join clubs or Greek life. NROTC adds structure, professional standards, and a community focused on leadership and service.

If you want a typical college experience but also a clear path into the Navy or Marine Corps, NROTC is designed for you.

Would NROTC be Right for You?

NROTC might be a good fit if you:

• Want to serve as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps
• Want help paying for college, plus a guaranteed career track after graduation if you complete the program
• Enjoy staying active and can handle early mornings and fitness tests
• Are curious about ships, aircraft, submarines, expeditionary units, cyber, or logistics
• Like the idea of a tight community on campus and long-term job security

The Navy option usually attracts students interested in technology, engineering, and working with complex systems. The Marine option is often chosen by those who want tough physical challenges and leadership roles on the ground.

NROTC Education Benefits

One big benefit is the National NROTC Scholarship, which usually provides:

• Full tuition at a participating college or university
• Coverage of mandatory fees at many schools
• Textbook stipend, often around 750 dollars per year
• Monthly stipend during the school year that increases each year
• Uniforms and Naval Science textbooks
• Paid summer training cruises

At some schools, scholarship students can choose to get room and board support up to a certain amount instead of using the funds for tuition.

There are also:

• Three-year and two-year scholarship options
• College program options without full tuition coverage, where you can later compete for advanced standing and a stipend

Getting a scholarship is competitive and usually depends on:

• GPA and test scores
• Leadership, sports, and activities
• Interview performance
• Medical and fitness qualifications

Marine Option Inside NROTC

The NROTC Marine option lets you train to become a Marine Corps officer while you attend a regular college. Key differences for Marine option midshipmen:

• Higher physical fitness expectations and more intense PT
• Extra focus on field skills, land navigation, small unit tactics, and Marine Corps history
• A commissioning path that includes Marine Officer Candidates School or similar evaluated training between your junior and senior years

If you want to lead Marines in the field, this track is for you.

After Graduation and NROTC Participation

If you complete NROTC requirements, earn your degree, and meet commissioning standards, you will:

• Be commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy, or
• Be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps

After that, you’ll go on to more training for your chosen field.

Common Navy Careers

Some popular Navy officer jobs include:

• Surface warfare officers serving on ships
• Submarine officers
• Naval aviators and naval flight officers
• Information warfare and cyber officers
• Supply Corps officers
• Navy Nurse Corps officers at some NROTC units

Common Marine Careers

Some popular Marine career specialities include:

• Infantry and other ground combat arms
• Logistics and support fields
• Intelligence
• Aviation and aviation support, after extra selection and training

How to get started with NROTC

Here are the usual steps to join an NROTC program:

1. Find schools with NROTC unitsUse Appily to look up colleges and universities that host Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps units or have crosstown agreements.
2. Decide on the Navy option or Marine optionRead about each track and think carefully about your interests, what you’re comfortable with physically, and your long-term goals.
3. Apply for scholarships if you are eligibleHigh school students can apply for the Four-Year National NROTC Scholarship. Current college students can explore three-year or two-year scholarships and college program routes.
4. Talk to an NROTC officer recruiter or unit staffAsk about eligibility, medical standards, majors, and timelines.
5. Prepare physically and academicallyKeep your grades up, train for fitness tests, and start building good habits with sleep, time management, and responsibility.
6. Enroll in the intro Naval Science class when you get to campusUse your first semester to get a feel for the unit’s routine and see if it’s a good fit for you.

Now that you know more about NROTC, you can use Appily to search for colleges, compare programs, and find campuses that fit your major, budget, and goals.