ROTC Programs
Army ROTC
The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps offers a four-year or two-year program designed to develop future officers in the areas of leadership, management, military history, and military skills.
The Army ROTC program consists of one course per semester along with one leadership laboratory period per week. The four-year program is divided into two parts. The Basic Course is taken in the freshman and sophomore years. No military commitment is incurred during this time. After completing the Basic Course, students who have demonstrated officer potential and have met physical and scholastic standards are eligible to enroll in the Advanced Course taken in the final two years of college and consisting of outlined military science and designated enrichment courses. Some students who have previous military service can receive constructive credit for the Basic Course. Another two-year ROTC program consists of completion of a five-week basic camp and enrollment in the advance course. While in ROTC, cadets will gain invaluable leadership experience through participation in the Simultaneous Membership Program with the National Guard and Army Reserve. Upon graduation, students can enter the Army on active duty, Reserves, or the National Guard.
USD students enroll in the military science classes through the SDSU College of Extended Studies by coming to class and coordinating with the instructor. There is no advance application needed for the freshman or sophomore classes. Scholarship money is available. Four-, three-, and two-year merit scholarships are available to qualified students. Scholarships awarded include: full tuition, books, fees and partial room and board.
Further information about this program may be obtained from Army ROTC, (619) 260-7920, or from the Army ROTC Batallion at San Diego State University, (619) 594-4943.
Naval ROTC
The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Unit is hosted by the University of San Diego and San Diego State University. Primary administration of and support for the NROTC Unit is provided by the University of San Diego. Cross-town agreements exist with the University of California San Diego, California State University San Marcos, and Point Loma Nazarene University. Students enrolled in these institutions are authorized to participate in the NROTC program at the University of San Diego, and may attend Naval Science classes there or San Diego State University.
Programs
There are two types of NROTC programs: the Scholarship Program and the College Program. They differ primarily in their benefits to the student. The Scholarship Program provides four years of university study, followed by a commission in the Navy or Marine Corps.
Scholarship Students
Four-year Scholarship Program students are selected on the basis of a highly competitive annual national selection. Selectees are appointed midshipmen in the United States Naval Reserve (USNR) and provided tuition, fees, uniforms, and a stipend for books at government expense. In addition, they receive subsistence pay and summer active duty pay. Navy Option students in the NROTC Scholarship Program are encouraged to pursue majors in engineering or in specific science fields (mathematics, chemistry, physics, or computer science), but any other field of study leading to a baccalaureate degree is permitted. Marine Corps Option students may normally enroll in any four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree. All scholarship students participate in three summer cruise and training programs. Upon graduation, students receive commissions as Ensigns in the United States Navy or as Second Lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps, after which they serve with the respective service. The minimum period of active duty is four years, followed by four years of inactive reserve status.
Two-year Scholarship Program students are selected through national competition. Applicants must be in their second year of college and in good standing. Selectees for enrollment in this program attend the Naval Science Institute at Newport, Rhode Island, receiving instruction in naval science and drill, during July and August after their selection. Successful completion of the Naval Science Institute program qualifies students for enrollment in the advanced course of the NROTC program. They are provided tuition, fees, textbook stipend, uniforms, and subsistence allowance at government expense during their junior and senior years. Two-year scholarship students participate in a summer cruise between their junior and senior years. Upon graduation, commission and service requirements are the same as for four-year scholarship students.
Applications for the scholarship program may be obtained from any NROTC unit or Navy-Marine Corps Recruiting Office, or go to https://www.nrotc.navy.mil.
College Program Students
The College Program is designed for students who desire to qualify for a commission in the Navy or Marine Corps while pursuing normal courses of study, and have not been accepted into the Scholarship Program. They have the status of civilians who have entered into contract with the Navy. All College Program students must be admitted to advanced standing by the Commander of the Naval Service Training Command at the end of their sophomore year in order to continue in the program. They enlist in a component of the Naval Reserve and receive subsistence pay each month during the last two academic years. In addition, they receive active duty pay during the required summer cruise, which normally takes place between the junior and senior years. Upon graduation, students receive commissions as Ensigns in the United States Navy, or as Second Lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps, and are ordered to active duty for three years and inactive reserve status for four years.
College Program students may compete each year for scholarships. If selected, they will be appointed to scholarship status with the attendant benefits and pay
Further information on the College Program may be obtained from any NROTC unit or Navy-Marine Corps Recruiting Office, or go to https://www.nrotc.navy.mil.
Academic Requirements for Scholarship Students
To receive a commission, the NROTC scholarship student must complete all requirements for a bachelor’s degree in accordance with university rules and regulations, as well as complete certain courses specified by the Navy. General requirements fall into two categories:
1. Naval Science requirements
Freshman Year
Introduction to Naval Science (NAVS 101)
Seapower (NAVS 102)
Sophomore Year
Leadership and Management I (NAVS 201)
Navigation (NAVS 202) (Navy option only)
Junior Year
Naval Engineering (NAVS 301)
Naval Weapons (NAVS 302) (Navy option only)
Evolution of Warfare (NAVS 310) (Marine option only)
Senior Year
Naval Operations (NAVS 401) (Navy option only)
Amphibious Operations (NAVS 410) (Marine option
only)
Leadership and Ethics (NAVS 402)
2. Other courses required by the U.S. Navy
Calculus (one year)*
Regional Studies/World Cultures (one semester)*
Physics (calculus based) (one year)*
English (one year)*
National Security Policy or American Military History
(one semester)
*Navy Option only
See Naval Science course descriptions under the Naval Science department in this Bulletin.
