Becoming a Marine Officer: The NROTC Program and Process

CAPT LOU MURILLONROTC COORDINATOR

AGENDA

• NROTC Mission• Benefits• Eligibility Requirements• Academic Requirements• Activities• Obligation• Training• How to Apply

NROTC MISSION

• To educate and train highly qualified young men and women for careers as commissioned officers in the United States Marine Corps Reserve

THE BENEFITS

$180,000 SCHOLARSHIP

• Full Tuition, Lab Fees, Books, and Uniforms!

• Provides leadership opportunities• Structured academic environment

• $250 (Freshman) $400 (Senior) Stipend per month

• Some Universities will help with or cover room and board

ELIGIBILITY REQUIRMENTS

• U.S. Citizen• 17-23 years of age• Physically qualified by USMC standards• No moral disqualifications• High School graduate or an equivalency

certificate (GED)• Minimum 1000 SAT (Math+Verbal, not

writing) or 45 ACT• Admission to a participating NROTC

college or University

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

• 150+ Colleges and Universities• Large and Well Known

– Harvard– MIT– Notre Dame– (NY) Fordham, Maritime, Brockport– University of Southern California– Penn State– Cornell

• Schools all over the US

ACADEMIC REQUIREMNTS

• Select almost any undergraduate major• Carry regular (full) course load• Attend Naval Science Course

– (One Per semester)

• Maintain good academic standing– (Must not drop below 2.0 average)

Academic Assistance• Tutors, Study Halls, Midshipmen peer group

NROTC ACTIVITES

• Drill Team• Sailing Club• Aviation Club• Shooting Club• Anchor and Chain Society

SOCIAL ACTIVITES

• Marine Corps Birthday Ball• Formals• Unit Socials• Intramural Sports

OBLIGATION

• Upon graduation you will be commisioned as a 2ndLt in the USMCR

• Required to fulfill a 4-year active duty tour followed by a 4-year IRR.

• Flight training contracts require additional obligation.

OBLIGATION (continued)

• Q: What if I am disenrolled or I decide I no longer want to be in this program?

• A: After the first day of your Sophomore year, you will be required to serve a two year active duty enlisted tour or reimburse all tuition.

SUMMER TRAINING

First Summer• Cortramid Cruise

– Orientation to Naval Service

SUMMER TRAINING

Second Summer• MWTC• Mojave Viper

SUMMER TRAINING

Third Summer• OCS (SIX-WEEK COURSE)

– MCB, Quantico, VA– 3 Areas of Candidate Evaluations

• Leadership• Physical Challenge• Academics

HOW TO APPLY

• Go to https://www.nrotc.navy.mil and complete the online application

• Take the SAT or ACT and release your scores to Code 0656

• Apply to any of the eligible NROTC colleges or Universities

HOW TO APPLY (continued)

• Q: Who is respnsible for completing and submitting the application?

• A: YOU ARE!

https://www.nrotc.navy.mil

HOW TO APPLY (continued)

• Complete Application Package– Transcripts– Birth Cert / SSC– Three Evaluations (Counselor, English/Math,

and Coach/or Other)– Two Marine Officer interviews– Physical Fitness Test results

BOARD PROCESS

• Early Board– Application must be complete by October– Board convenes in November

• Main Board– Application must be complete by January– Board convenes in February

• Early board non-selectees are guaranteed a second look at the Main Board

SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST AVERAGES

• SAT/ACT 1220/52• PFT 250• GPA 3.51• Varsity Athletics

91%• Boy/Girl Scouts

26%• JROTC

32%

GRADUATION

HOW DO YOU GET THERE?

• Make yourself competitive!– Can you run 3 miles in 22 mins, do

15 pull ups and 85-100 crunches in two mins?

– Can you get a 1250 combined math and verbal SAT score, 28 composite ACT or a 85 QT on the ASVAB?

– Do you have a 3.35 or better GPA?– Do you volunteer or participate in

extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership potential and reflect CORE VALUES of Honor, Courage and Commitment?

BACK-UP PLAN

Q: What if I really want to be a Marine Officer, but don’t get the scholarship?

A: A large % of Marine Officers enlist in the reserves or active duty first, then pursue Platoon Leader’s Course (PLC) or ECP

– Pay– Tuition Assistance & GI Bill– “Mustang” Marine

SUMMARY

• Open to HS Seniors and Grads with <30 College Credits (usually 1 year)

• Attend an NROTC affiliated College or University

• Scholarship pays for tuition, textbooks, instructional fees and stipend allowances.

• Midshipmen will complete basic officer training at OCS during one summer break.

• Upon graduation, midshipmen will receive a commision as a Second Lieutenant.

QUESTIONS?

Program Manager: Capt Murillo

(518) 266-6104

luis.murillo@marines.usmc.mil

More information can be found at:

https://www.nrotc.navy.mil or

www.marineofficer.com

COMBAT ARMS

• The heart & soul of the Marine Corps:– Infantry– Artillery– Tanks– Amphibious Vehicles– Combat Engineers

• Specialize in the application of force.

AVIATION

• The Marine Corps operates jets, propeller driven aircraft, and helicopters in support of combat units in the following roles:– Air to air combat– Ground attack– Troop transport– Cargo transport/refueling– Surveillance

• We maintain, repair, and sustain them as well.

COMBAT SUPPORT

• Nothing works without support.– Administrative support– Resupply/logistics support– Embarkation– Transportation– Maintenance– Communications– Data processing– Fiscal– And many others

LIFE AS AN OFFICER

• So what does that mean to you?• Regardless of MOS, a Marine

Officer:– Is responsible for their unit and

mission accomplishment, no matter what.

– Leads by and sets the example.– Is a master of his or her MOS.– Develops plans and leads Marines in

the execution of those plans.– Develops their Marines into

cohesive, combat ready teams.

HOW WE DO IT

• Attend & pass Officer Candidates School.

• Upon completion of OCS & a bachelor’s degree, commissioned as a 2ndLt in the USMC.

• Attend The Basic School- a six month primer on how to be an officer.

• Attend follow-on MOS training.• Assigned to a unit as a Marine

Officer.

COLLEGE APPLICATION

• The Marine Corps doesn’t care what your degree is in- just that you have the discipline to finish a degree.

• Consider what you enjoy studying- come up with several different options.

• Determine what schools have an NROTC program and the major you want.

• Determine admission requirements to those schools and develop a plan.

COLLEGE APPLICATION

• You need to do this before you register for your senior classes- does the college require a foreign language, a specific level of math, etc?

• Determine entrance exam requirement- SAT or ACT? Take the test and leave time to retake if necessary.

• Mark timelines for due dates and apply for at least three schools.

TIMELINE

• Spring, Junior year:– Spring: take ACT/SAT (Use code 0656 on

the release form to ensure scores reach NROTC)

– Start college application process– Begin preparing for Physical Fitness Test

• Summer:– Start NROTC application process

• Fall, Senior year:– Final SAT (November) or ACT (October)– Take Physical Fitness Test– Complete application

WHY?

• Becoming a Marine officer is one of the greatest challenges & privileges you can work towards.

• Serving your country and leading Marines is an incredible responsibility that demands a complete commitment.

• You will never wonder if what you are doing is making a difference.

QUESTIONS?