Is there an orientation for new NROTC students?
Yes. All NROTC National Scholarship recipients are required to complete New Student Indoctrination (NSI) during the summer before the start of their freshmen year. NSI challenges midshipmen candidates mentally, morally, and physically through instruction in physical fitness, close order drill, swim qualifications, firefighting, line handling, and basic military customs, courtesies, traditions, and organization.
NROTC UC Berkeley hosts a New Student Orientation (NSO) program for college program students during the first weeks of classes at UC Berkeley. Students will be introduced to military discipline and fitted for their uniforms. They learn about skills to better prepare them academically for the university and undergo a variety of activities to become members of the midshipman company. They receive physical fitness training and tests, marching instruction, and classroom instruction.
What will I do on summer training cruises?
There are three different cruises for scholarship students. Third Class cruises take place after freshman year, Second Class after sophomore year, and First Class after junior year. College Program students participate in First Class cruise only.
Navy:
- Third Class – Gives 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.
- Second Class – Aboard either a surface ship or submarine (student’s choice) and is geared toward experiencing the Navy from an enlisted viewpoint.
- First Class – Provides junior officer training aboard ships, submarines, shore based aviation squadrons or a chance to try out for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) or Naval Special Warfare (NSW) communities.
Marine:
- Third Class – Gives 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.
- Second Class – ***TBD***
- First Class – 6 week Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA.
I need to work during the summer. May I?
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 conduct the cruise. The cruises are generally four to six weeks long, so you should still be able to work for part of the summer. Also, midshipmen are paid about $550 per month during the duration of the cruise.
Where do we go during summer cruise, and who pays for our transportation?
Midshipmen can travel all over the world on their summer cruises, depending on their class year and whether they are a Navy or Marine Corps option. Generally, midshipmen will travel to one of the many US Navy and Marine Corps fleet concentration areas (e.g. San Diego, CA, or Norfolk, VA) before embarking on cruise with their host command, whose destination is largely dependent on their assigned mission. The Navy pays for travel expenses from school or your home to the cruise site and your return to home each summer.