What is my active duty obligation after graduation?
Our Navy Option scholarship students are required to serve a minimum of five years of active military service upon graduation. Additional requirements may be required for specific job assignments. This obligation is accepted at the beginning of the sophomore year.
Marine Corps Option scholarship midshipmen will be required to serve at least four years on active duty.
Our College Program (Advanced Standing) students are obligated for three years of active duty after graduation. They accept the obligation at the beginning of their junior year.
Does that mean that there is no obligation incurred by incoming freshmen when they join the program?
Correct. Scholarship students have until September 1st of their sophomore year to decide whether to remain in the program and incur the obligation of service. After this date, scholarship students who decide to voluntarily leave the program must reimburse the Department of the Navy for all tuition benefits received previously, including the freshman year. Also, the current policy requires Active Enlisted Service for those scholarship students who disenroll from the program during their senior year.
College Program (Basic Standing) students become obligated immediately after receiving either a 3-Year or 2-Year scholarship, or after earning College Program (Advanced Standing) status after their Sophomore Year.
If I join the NROTC program, what kind of military duties should I expect after graduation?
Most of our Navy option students, male and female, will graduate as Unrestricted Line Officers (URL). That means that they will be expected to go on to further training in aviation, submarines, conventional or nuclear powered surface ships, explosive ordnance disposal, or Naval Special Warfare (NSW).
In general, the NROTC program does not commission midshipmen as Restricted Line Officers or into the Staff Corps. Examples include but are not limited to: Naval Intelligence, Human Resources, Public Affairs, Medical Corps, Dental Corps, Civil Engineering Corps, or Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
Those who choose (and are accepted for) the Marine Corps can go into aviation or a variety of ground officer assignments such as logistics, infantry, and armor.
Do scholarship and Colege Program (Advanced Standing) students receive identical assignments after graduation?
Yes. Assignments are made on the basis of the student’s choices, qualifications, performance, and needs of the Navy. Scholarship status is not a factor in the assignment process.
Will I get the choice of duty I want after graduation?
At the beginning of the senior year, fall semester, our Navy option students state their duty preferences, and many 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. Ultimately, the service assignment is dependent upon the needs of the Navy; students should be prepared to serve in any capacity required.
Marine Option students receive their duty assignments after successfully completing The Basic School (TBS) post-graduation.
Can I be guaranteed flight school after graduation?
The Navy does not give such a guarantee. However, experience has shown that solid academic performance, high scores on the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB), and being physically qualified for aviation will give midshipmen an excellent chance of getting aviation. The Marine Corps does offer flight guarantees prior to attending The Basic School (TBS), which can be granted by meeting the requirements any time up to 90 days before graduation.
What about graduate school? Is there any way to go directly to graduate school, and to serve the obligated military service after graduate school?
That is a possibility, but highly unlikely. A few top students are selected each year to go on to graduate school, but the vast majority of midshipmen 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 one of the offered courses of study while receiving full pay.
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?
It is possible but the current quota for NROTC midshipmen attending Medical School is zero and will be for the foreseeable future.