Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit administers the Naval Science Program at Embry-Riddle. All students enrolled in the University who are physically and mentally qualified are eligible to apply for entry into the NROTC Program. This program affords men and women the opportunity to receive instruction in Navy-specified courses that, in conjunction with a baccalaureate degree and U.S. citizenship, will qualify them for a commission in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps. Students are selected on their own merit to become officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. As naval officers, Embry-Riddle NROTC graduates become eligible for varied careers, serving in aviation squadrons, on surface ships, on submarines, in special operations, or in numerous sub-specialties as an officer of the Marine Corps.

Reserve Officer Training programs are subject to the control of the service branch that sponsors them and are operated according to the rules and regulations established by the service branch.

Students interested in the Embry-Riddle NROTC Program may compete for four-year NROTC national scholarships prior to matriculation. Students who join the unit through the NROTC College Program are eligible to compete for other types of scholarships throughout their college career. With the consent of the Professor of Naval Science, any student, although not enrolled in the NROTC Program, is eligible for enrollment in naval science courses.

Program Structure

Naval ROTC College Program

Students enrolled in the NROTC College Program can take naval science classes and compete for scholarships of various lengths. Once selected for a scholarship, students fall under the Scholarship Program described below. Students not selected for a scholarship may be eligible for selection to Advanced Standing status and to be appointed as a Midshipman prior to the commencement of the Advanced Course starting their junior year.

The Navy pays for uniforms and naval science textbooks during the four-year period and, during the junior and senior years, pays the Midshipman a monthly subsistence allowance. Each student is selected for enrollment in the program through application to the NROTC program. Students are selected based on past academic performance, potential, personal interviews, and a physical examination. A College Program Midshipman acquires a military service obligation only after entering the Advanced Course at the beginning of the junior year.

Although there are no restrictions on the major college program students may pursue, it is highly recommended that they pursue a course of study similar to scholarship students. Students must also include in their program certain Navy-specified courses and a program of courses in naval science. Upon graduation and successful completion of the Naval Science curriculum, students receive a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy or as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and will serve on active duty for a minimum of five years.

College Program availability is subject to unit size limitations.

Naval Science Course (NSCI 100, NSCI 101, NSCI 102, NSCI 201, NSCI 202, 202L, NSCI 299)

Naval Science courses for midshipmen begin with foundational knowledge of the naval service, including its mission, organization, military traditions, and the historical importance of sea power in U.S. strategy. As they advance, the curriculum broadens to encompass leadership and management theory, focusing on decision-making and interpersonal skills, and for Navy Option Midshipmen, it includes mandatory, comprehensive training in ship navigation, covering both theoretical principles and practical application.

Advanced Naval Science Course (NSCI 301, NSCI 302, NSCI 310, NSCI 311, NSCI 401, 401L, NSCI 402, NSCi 499)

Advanced Naval Science courses offer specialized instruction on the technical, tactical, and leadership aspects of naval operations. Midshipmen study complex ship systems, from hydrodynamics and propulsion to weapons theory and ordnance. The curriculum also explores the art of warfare through historical analysis and modern doctrine, with a focus on maneuver warfare concepts. This theoretical knowledge is integrated with practical training in naval command, control, and ship handling, all culminating in a capstone course that solidifies the moral, ethical, and legal responsibilities of a junior officer.

Naval ROTC Summer Training

The NROTC Scholarship Program and College Program Advanced Standing students must complete training of four to six weeks in length during summer recesses. During the first summer period, each scholarship student receives instruction in aviation training, marine combat training, surface warfare indoctrination, and submarine indoctrination either in Norfolk, Va., or San Diego, Calif. The second summer training is performed aboard operational ships of the U.S. fleet from an enlisted service member’s perspective. During the third summer, candidates for U.S. Navy commissions perform training aboard operational ships from a junior officer’s perspective. The students who qualify for nuclear propulsion training may elect to cruise on nuclear-powered ships or submarines. Some midshipmen cruise with allied navies through the Midshipman Foreign Exchange Program. Transportation costs to and from the training sites, subsistence, quarters, and monthly pay will be paid to every participating student.

The candidates for U.S. Marine Corps commissions will perform training at the U.S. Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va. The Marine Option NROTC Summer Training Program is designed to prepare midshipmen for appointment to commissioned grade by providing basic military instruction and physical training. An evaluation of midshipmen is made to ensure they have the leadership, academic, and physical qualifications required for appointment to commissioned grade in the Marine Corps.

For more information about NROTC, contact the NROTC department at 1-386-323-8990 or dbnrotc@erau.edu or visit our website at https://daytonabeach.erau.edu/rotc/naval.

Scholarships and Financial Benefits

Naval ROTC Four-Year National Scholarship Programs

Scholarship students are appointed Midshipmen, U.S. Navy Reserve. The Navy pays for tuition, fees, uniforms, a stipend for textbooks each semester, and a per month subsistence allowance starting at $250 per month for first-year candidates and up to $400 for senior students during the academic year. Four-year scholarship students are normally selected through national competition during their senior year in high school. However, students already enrolled in college but are not in the NROTC Program may compete nationally for a two-year or three-year scholarship.

Although it is not a requirement, students in the NROTC Scholarship Program are encouraged to pursue a major in engineering, mathematics, chemistry, or physics to meet the technological requirements of the Navy. Other fields of study for a major leading to a baccalaureate degree are permitted with the approval of the Professor of Naval Science. Regardless of the major, every Navy scholarship student must complete one year of calculus and calculus-based physics.

Students must include certain Navy-specified courses in their program and complete a program of courses as prescribed by the Professor of Naval Science. Upon graduation and successful completion of the Naval Science curriculum, the Midshipman will receive a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy or as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and will serve on active duty for a minimum of five years.

Naval ROTC Two/Three-Year (Side Load) Scholarship

NROTC also offers a side load scholarship program which can provide two- or three- year scholarships. Students starting their freshman year that were not enrolled in the NROTC program through the 4-year National Scholarship can submit an application at the end of their freshman/sophomore year. This scholarship is submitted through the unit. The student should enroll in NSC 101 and NSC 102 their freshman year. The instructors will speak with the students in class about this process and will provide the application in the spring class (NSC 102).

Students starting their third year of college who were not enrolled in the NROTC program during their freshman and sophomore years must notify the unit during their sophomore year by March 1 to permit processing, personal interviews, and a physical examination. Qualifications for acceptance into this program include demonstrated ability to complete college-level physics and calculus courses.

Upon acceptance into the NROTC (regardless of which scholarship) program, the student will attend a two-and-a-half (2.5) week intensive course known as New Student Indoctrination at Naval Station Great Lakes, IL, the summer before starting their next year of study. The two-and-a-half (2.5) week summer course qualifies the student for activation of the NROTC Scholarship. During the student’s attendance at New Student Indoctrination, the Navy provides room and board, books, uniforms, transportation from home and return, and pays the student a monthly stipend. Upon successful course completion, the student will return to the University and participate as a scholarship student in the NROTC program. Students, upon graduation and successful completion of the Naval Science curriculum, receive a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy or as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and will serve on active duty for a minimum of five years.

Other Officer Programs Available

Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course Program

Outside of the NROTC program, another option for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors interested in becoming a Marine Officer is the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) program. Freshmen and sophomores attend two six-week training sessions, and juniors attend one 10-week session at Quantico, Va. During the training sessions, candidates can earn from $2,100 to $3,200, depending on which training session they attend. In addition, eligible candidates may apply for two financial assistance programs, the Financial Assistance Program (FAP) and the College Tuition Assistance Program (CTAP). Call or visit the Web site to receive more information.

To be eligible for the program, the student must be a U.S. citizen, with full-time enrollment in a minimum of twelve (12) academic credits per semester, working towards an accredited/recognized baccalaureate degree.

The PLC Program offers two entry-level paths that lead to commissioning as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. The first is the Guaranteed Aviation Program. Applicants must have a qualifying ACT, SAT, or ASVAB score and must take the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB). Those who have at least the minimum score of 4/6 on the ASTB; pass a Class 1 aviation medical examination performed at a Navy medical facility; pass a Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT); and are accepted into the program by Headquarters Marine Corps, will be eligible to receive a contract guarantee. The second program is the Ground Officer Program. This program encompasses all military occupational specialties not directly related to piloting aircraft, or guaranteed law.

To be eligible for the U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class Program, a student must be enrolled full-time. Openings are available for men and women with any major who are under the age of twenty-eight (28).

Contact the Officer Selection Office at 1-866-290-2680 (toll free) or 1-407-249-5873 for more information.

Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program

Two and a half years prior to college graduation, future nuclear power officers can enter the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC). This program offers a monthly stipend from $2,990 to $5,000 per month for up to 30 months depending on location, a $15,000 selection bonus, and an additional $2,000 bonus upon completing nuclear propulsion training. After completion of the 12-week course at Officer Candidate School, nuclear power officers then begin training at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) in Charleston, S.C. This 24-week course helps students understand the complex nature of nuclear propulsion through a broad background on theory and operations mechanics. Once students have successfully completed NNPTC, students train at a Nuclear Power Training Unit on an operating reactor. Students work at all junior watch stations and eventually assume the role of Engineering Officer of the Watch in charge of the entire plant. Submarine nuclear-trained officers attend Submarine Basic Course, a 12-week course that will familiarize you with submarine safety and operations plus all necessary aspects of submarine life as an officer. Surface ship nuclear power officers will first attend Officer Candidate School, complete a sea tour, and attend Surface Warfare Officer School prior to receiving nuclear power training.

Contact the Nuclear Officer Programs Recruiter, at 1-407-240-5939 Ext 1407 for more information.

Civil Engineering Corps Collegiate Program (CEC)

Another alternative to NROTC, CEC provides money for students to focus on completing their degree without having to take on a part-time job. They will graduate with a guaranteed job as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy.

Eligibility:

Must be a U.S. citizen
Must be physically qualified
19-35 years old on date of commissioning
Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (engineering or architecture degree)
24 months or less from graduation (in an accredited ABET or NAAB program)

Benefits:

Earn up to $101,000 while in college
Medical/dental coverage and life insurance
Possible advancement while in college
College years enrolled in program counts toward retirement
Full-time student; military duties begin after degree obtained

Please contact General Officer Programs, at 1-407-240-5939 Ext 1405 for more information.

Campus Contact Information

Daytona Beach

Email: dbnrotc@erau.edu
Website: https://erau.edu/student-experience/military-and-veterans/rotc/daytona-beach/naval