Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps

NROTC Scholarship

The Navy ROTC scholarship pays for one-hundred percent of a recipient's college tuition, including lab and book fees. The Army ROTC scholarship, on the other hand, pays for only eighty percent. I can't tell you why this discrepancy exists, but I CAN tell you that I'm glad I chose the Navy. Actually, when I was a senior in high school, I REALLY wanted to go to Wellesley, but they only had Air Force and Army ROTC units at the school. I think that was about the only time I considered going for an Army ROTC scholarship. Fortunately, I came to my senses, chose the Navy, and attended Penn, leaving me free from any regrets.

Scholarship Requirements

A full scholarship understandably comes with certain strings attached, and those strings are:
  1. Mandatory drill periods, once a week. Drill periods vary according to each unit, but here at Penn, we have drill every Wednesdays from 3-5pm. Drill is usually a time for us to come together as one battalion, donned in our uniforms, to be addressed by our commanding officer, engage in group activities, or listen to briefs given by various invited speakers.

  2. Semi-annual physical fitness tests (PFT). Once a semester, all midshipmen must pass a physical fitness test. It consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run. When I first arrived at Penn, I couldn't do a single push-up, and I failed the run as well (I ran too slowly). With time, and the motivational help of many of my fellow shipmates, I soon improved my physical aptitude.

  3. Mandatory naval science courses. Every semester, midshipmen take a naval science course (taught by an officer at the unit) which serves to prepare midshipmen for their naval career. At Penn, naval science (NSCI) classes are usually held on Mondays and Fridays, or on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7:30-9:00am. Over my four years, I took Naval Orientation (NSCI-101), Seapower (NSCI-102), Naval Ships Systems I (NSCI-201), Leadership and Management (NSCI-202), Navigation (NSCI-301), Naval Operations (NSCI-302), Naval Ships Systems II (NSCI-401), and Leadership and Ethics (NSCI-402).

    The classes are pretty interesting, but the downside is, there are midterms, finals, and projects for them, even when you don't get university credit for taking the class (well, Engineering, Wharton, and Nursing students sometimes get away with credit for some of the classes. Meanwhile, those in the College of Arts and Sciences are left to suffer from credit-envy). :)

    In addition to mandatory naval science classes, the Navy requires midshipmen to take the following classes:

    • two semesters of physics (physics 150/151 or 170/171)
    • two semesters of math (math 140/141 or math 150/151)
    • two semesters of english (any ENG/WATU)
    • one semester of computer science (any CSE)
    • one semester of history/defense policy (PSCI 118/151/152/556 or HIST 451)

  4. Summer Training Cruises. Every summer, midshipmen are sent on four week-long summer cruises that expose them to hands-on training aboard naval ships. During my past cruises, I have been aboard the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-?), USS Chicago (SSBN-?), USS Carter Hall (LSD-50), and USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-67). My cruises have taken me to San Diego (SUBTRAFAC, Camp Pendleton, Coronado, Top Gun), the Mediterranean Sea, Spain (Ibiza and Rota), Virginia (Norfolk), and Florida (Mayport). Some of my classmates have even sailed to Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Bahrain, Greece, Italy, and South America during their cruises. In short, summer cruises are, in my opinion, the best thing about being in ROTC. The cruises are completely paid for by the Navy, including round-trip transportation to/from your assigned ship, and daily room and board. Moreover, you get to meet midshipmen from other units nationwide and end up having a pretty cool summer.

Naval Service Obligation

Finally... the Navy doesn't foot four years' worth of tuition bills and training costs for nothing. Upon graduation, midshipmen are commissioned as ensigns in the United States Navy (or as second lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps). From the day of commissioning, newly commissioned officers are obligated to serve in the Navy for a minimum of four years. At first, I used to fret about having signed over four of my life's prime years to the Navy. However, after being on cruise last summer, I was relieved of my fears.

First of all, when a ship goes on a six-month deployment out to sea, it's not for six months straight. The ship usually goes out of its home port for about a month, and then returns home for three weeks before it goes out to sea again for another month. Someone pointed out that it wasn't feasible for a ship to be out at sea for six months straight because it would cost too much money. Hey, I'll buy that. :) When in home port, the ship's crew reported for work at 5:30am and got off by 1:00pm. Many took off in their cars and headed home or to the beach. I had fun at the officers' club on base, got a tan from going to JAX beach after the workday ended, and realized that four years in the Navy wasn't going to be so bleak after all. I'm actually looking forward to it!

But hey, don't take my word for it. If you're seriously interested in Navy ROTC, take a look at the official UPenn NROTC homepage, where you can get more information, including links to nationwide NROTC units' homepages. Also, here's a list of Navy homeports.


Captain Tollefson and me, the most senior and the most junior members
of the unit present to cut the cake at the 1995 NROTC Birthday Ball.
(11/10/95)

Back to the phar side.
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