Timothy Coolidge, Chair

Overview

The Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program, offered by the Department of Naval Science, prepares selected students for commissioned service in the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. The program embodies moral, mental, and physical development and instills in midshipmen the highest ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty in order to commission college graduates as professionally qualified, well-educated officers in the Naval service.

Selection to the program is based on the potential for future development in mind, body, and character so that midshipmen may assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship, and government. Naval ROTC graduates are given equal rank, treatment, and opportunity with graduates of the United States Naval Academy.

Students may enter the Naval ROTC Program at any time during their first two years (three years for five-year curricula) of University work. Specific information on an individual basis may be obtained at the ROTC center, located on Pickens St. between Blossom St. and Wheat St., or via phone at 803-777-3451. Any student attending the University may enroll in naval science courses.

Naval ROTC Programs

Navy-Marine Scholarship Program. Naval ROTC scholarship students are selected through national competition and appointed midshipmen, U.S. Naval Reserve, upon enrollment in the University. Upon graduation, Midshipmen are commissioned as ensign, U.S. Navy, or second lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, and serve at the pleasure of the president of the United States. Currently, the required minimum active duty service period has been established at four years.

Costs of tuition and fees and a textbook allowance are paid by the government. Uniforms are also provided by the government and students receive subsistence pay for other expenses at the rates of $250, $300, $350, and $400 per month (depending on class) during the academic year and $375 per semester for books.

Scholarship midshipmen must complete summer training periods, lasting approximately four weeks, and are paid during these training periods. The second and third summer training periods consist of at-sea training; the first provides aviation, submarine, surface, and amphibious warfare orientation.

Four-Year College Program. The Naval ROTC College Program is a four-year sequence leading to a commission as ensign, U.S. Navy, or second lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps. College-program requirements are similar to those of the scholarship program. Applicants are selected by the professor of naval science and must meet certain physical standards. Students may apply for the Naval ROTC College Program at the Naval ROTC administrative office located in the Naval ROTC armory.

College-program midshipmen, if selected for advanced standing, are required to participate in one summer cruise, normally between the junior and senior years, and receive subsistence pay at the rates of $350 and 400 per month during the junior and senior academic years, respectively, and $375 per semester for books.

College-program students are eligible for selection to the Scholarship Program. Most students with a GPA of approximately 3.00 or better are awarded full Naval ROTC scholarships for the remainder of their undergraduate education.

College-program graduates commissioned in the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps are required to serve on active duty for four years.

Two-Year College Program. The Two-Year College Program is essentially the same as the Four-Year College Program. Applicants must be in the first or second year of college, or in the third year of a five-year curriculum. During the summer preceding the final two years of college, successful candidates attend a six-week Naval Science Institute (NSI) in Newport, Rhode Island. While at the NSI, the Naval ROTC candidate is exposed to various fundamentals of naval science and participates in a compressed review of naval science courses normally taken during the freshman and sophomore years. Upon returning to USC, the Naval ROTC students enroll in the naval science curriculum, commencing with upper-level (300) courses. While in attendance at the NSI, each student receives about $550 per month, room and board, and compensation for travel expenses. Initial application should be made at the Naval ROTC office in the ROTC center.

Two-Year Scholarship Program. The Two-Year Scholarship Program is similar to the Two-Year College Program, in that accepted students attend the NSI during the summer preceding their final two years. However, selectees for this program are guaranteed a full scholarship (tuition, fees, books, allowance, and a $300 per month stipend) upon successful completion of the NSI. Initial application should be made at the Naval ROTC office in the Naval ROTC armory.

Marine Corps Option Program. The Marine-option student completes the naval science curriculum for the first year as prescribed for all midshipmen. Specialized Marine Corps naval science courses and summer field training are required during the final three years of Naval ROTC training. Scholarship, college-program benefits, and subsistence pay are the same for Marine and Navy options.

Students desiring a commission in the Marine Corps may elect to enter the Naval ROTC College Program as Marine-option Midshipmen. Upper division Navy-option midshipmen may change to Marine-option midshipmen by submitting a written application to the professor of naval science, preferably during their sophomore year, for designation as a Marine option.

Other Programs. Scholarships are available through the Tweedale Scholarship program for engineering-related majors. Students must have completed at least one but no more than four semesters of college with excellent performance and be capable of completing all other NROTC requirements. Scholarships are also available to nursing students. Requirements vary; contact the ROTC unit for specifics.

General Requirements

In addition to completing the academic requirements for an approved baccalaureate degree, Naval ROTC students must, either as a part of or in addition to their regular curriculum, complete the following:

1. Navy-Option Scholarship Students. Two semesters of calculus by the end of the sophomore year and two semesters of calculus-based physics by the end of the junior year. In addition, scholarship students shall complete one semester of Regional Studies/World Culture, one semester of American Military Affairs or National Security Policy, and two semesters of freshman English.
2. Navy-Option College Program Students. Two semesters of college-level mathematics and one semester of computer science by the completion of the junior year. In addition, college program students will complete two semesters of physical science and two semesters of freshman English prior to graduation.

All Naval ROTC students are required to participate in weekly professional training laboratories which include physical fitness, swimming, military drill, and class seminar/advisement. The Naval uniform must be worn all day on those days allocated for military drill, generally Thursdays.

Navy-option students must complete 26 semester hours in a standardized naval science curriculum. Marine-option students must complete 15 semester hours of naval science courses plus one elective approved in advance by the professor of naval science.

Programs and Courses

Programs

• Naval Science Minor