If I join the NROTC program am I obligated to complete it?
Participation in the NROTC Program is entirely voluntary. Three and four year scholarship recipients may dis-enroll from the program prior to the commencement of their sophomore year without penalty. A College Program student may disenroll prior to the commencement of a scholarship or “Advanced Standing” status. At these points students enter into service agreements with the Secretary of the Navy which obligates the student to serve on active duty as an officer after graduation or if they drop from the program, repay all scholarship tuition and fees or serve on active enlisted service at the discretion of the Secretary of the Navy.
What makes a Midshipman different from a Purdue student not in NROTC?
Midshipmen live very similarly to non-NROTC students at Purdue. They may join fraternities and sororities, play varsity or club sports, join campus organizations and clubs, or be in the Purdue All-American Marching Band. In fact, the NROTC unit strongly encourages its students to become involved on campus. The Midshipmen work Ross Ade stadium security during Purdue home football games to raise money for battalion activities. They present the Colors at both Purdue basketball and football home games, and other occasions that throughout the community that request a Color Guard.
Do I have to have a scholarship to join NROTC?
No. Some Midshipmen start out in the program without a scholarship. Non-scholarship Midshipmen are fully integrated into the battalion participating in activities and leadership positions the same as scholarship Midshipmen. Opportunities for earning a scholarship are available after joining the program as either a Navy, Marine Corps, or Navy Nurse Corps option. To continue on in the program past your Sophomore year, Midshipmen will need to be on scholarship or Advanced standing, both of which can be earned during a Sideload Scholarship Board. There will be multiple opportunities to earn a scholarship after joining the battalion, for both Navy and Marine Option Midshipmen.
Are there any limits on what I can choose for a major?
There are no limits as to what major you must choose. Purdue University has excellent engineering programs, and the majority of our students study technical majors. However, there are students in the program that study non-technical majors as well.
Can I receive a commission in the Marine Corps or Navy Nurse Corps as a result of being in NROTC?
If you earn a Marine Option scholarship or a Nurse Option scholarship you will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps or an Ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps. The differences between Marine Option, Nurse Option, and Navy Option Midshipmen are the professional classes they take and the summer training they receive.
What do NROTC Midshipman do during their summers?
An integral part of the officer training process involves exposing midshipmen to Navy and Marine Corps life and allowing them to use knowledge gained during the academic year on summer training cruises. A training period of 4-6 weeks each summer for scholarship students provides this opportunity. Midshipmen are typically assigned to a variety of Naval units stationed across the globe. Summer training has included assignment to nuclear submarines, destroyers, aircraft carriers, and cruisers from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Cruises provide a great opportunity to make some money, travel, see some of the world, and operate as part of the Navy-Marine Corps team. Marine Option Midshipmen attend CORTRAMID and Officer Candidates School during various summers to prepare them for life as a Second Lieutenant.
What do I need to do to prepare myself for the NROTC program?
Beginning in Summer 2019, all National Scholarship recipients will be required to attend New Student Indoctrination (NSI) aboard Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. Instructions for travel and expectations during training will be sent out approximately one month in advance, with training set to cover two increments. Each increment will be three weeks long in July and August. College Program Midshipmen who submit their application prior to May 1st will also attend NSI at Great Lakes.Purdue NROTC will also offer an optional, but strongly recommended, orientation session which exposes them to the fundamentals specific to the Purdue NROTC program. The best preparation for arrival to Purdue NROTC is regular physical conditioning, to include sit-ups, push-ups/pull-ups, and running. Prepare to come motivated and willing to learn.
When am I required to wear my uniform?
Uniforms are worn on Tuesdays and Midshipmen are expected to wear their uniforms to their regular university classes on that day. Uniforms are also worn for flag detail and formal military occasions.
What kind of military training do we receive?
In Naval Science classes, customs and courtesies, navigation, naval propulsion, weapons, and leadership are among the topics studied. In the weekly lab session the entire battalion receives training in close order drill and attends seminars concerning issues that officers in the Navy and Marine Corps may deal with in their careers.
What restrictions apply to someone who is considering NROTC at Purdue?
In order to be eligible for the NROTC Program, you must be a United States citizen, at least 17 years of age on or before 1 September of the year of enrollment and less than 27 years of age on 31 December of the year you expect to commission. You must also be found physically qualified, which begins with a sports physical prior to arrival at Purdue NROTC. If you have prior service in any of the branches of the Armed Forces, you may still join the program. A waiver may even be granted if you exceed the age requirements. Marriage or children should not discourage you from applying.
How important is physical fitness?
Physical fitness is extremely important. Each semester, you will take either a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for Marine Options or a Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) for Navy Options. The PFT consists of height/weight screening, pull-ups, crunches and a three mile run. The PFA consists of a height/weight screening, sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. The passing of a swimming exam is also required of each midshipman in order to get commissioned. Establishing good physical fitness habits as a Midshipman is critical to ensure success as an officer.
How will being in the NROTC program help me academically?
Academics are taken very seriously at Purdue NROTC and much is done to provide ample assistance. The battalion hires university tutors to help Midshipmen with calculus, physics, and chemistry. Midshipmen may be assigned to those who are having difficulty in other classes, and a supervised study program is offered to aid Midshipmen in improving their study habits. Midshipmen also have access to a computer lab in the Armory building that is not open to other Purdue students.
Can I choose what I do in the Navy?
At the beginning of your final fall semester, you will submit a package containing your preferences for service selection. During your final fall semester, a decision is made based on your GPA, military aptitude scores, PRT scores, and overall class ranking. NROTC midshipmen are commissioned in the unrestricted line in fields including Aviation, Surface Warfare, Submarine Warfare, Special Warfare, and the Marine Corps.
Can I still qualify for financial aid and student loans?
Financial aid and student loans can still be obtained by scholarship and non-scholarship Midshipmen in order to offset university expenses. Financial aid and student loans are not sources of aid through the NROTC Unit at Purdue. Try the Purdue Financial Aid homepage for information about scholarships.
