Norwich University - New Parents

Are you a parent of a soon to be Rook in the Norwich University Corps of Cadets? Do you have any questions for other parents? Feel free to ask away! No question is too small - I sure had a lot last year at this time! I also accept PM's and check here regularly.

Thank you! Our son will be in class of 2019 Corps of Cadets and AFROTC. Two questions so far -

• How can he best prepare over the summer for rookdom?
• When will he get weekend off-campus privileges?

The absolute most important thing for him to do is to be able to pass the Corps PT test on the first go-around. If you don't , you end up in remedial PT. Look up the Army PFT, and what is expected of number of sit ups, pushups and running, and it is very similar, if not the same. (Not sure if it is the same as AF because I am not familiar with those requirements).
They do get "yelled at" with cadre "in their faces", but my DS was expecting that so it did not really bother him. However, there were some kids who that bothered a lot, and a few did not even make it through the week! Overall, I think Rook Arrival week was less stressful than he thought it would be. He expected the worst - to be yelled at, to be tired, etc. and I think that helped him mentally.
He will be told when to wake up, when to shower and shave, when to go to bed. At first they have only a few minutes to do things in the bathroom, so have him learn to shower and shave VERY fast! Buy one of those stypic pens, or however it is spelled, the stuff that stops bleeding if you nick yourself.
They don't get weekend privileges until they are "recognized", which is typically sometime in March (you will not see that on a calendar, as it is "secret"). They can leave for most of Parents Weekend - can leave Friday night, but have to be back early Sat morning for formation and some Rook competitions, which are very cool to watch. They have to stay for the football game (this year, just through half time), and then they can leave again until sometime Sun afternoon.
Is your son an AFROTC scholarship winner? If so, he will have to arrive a few days before the general Rook Arrival Day, and there are a few events revolving around that.

Thanks! No on AFROTC - will apply for 3 year scholarship.

He is also interested in Regimental Band - did your son do that or know any Rooks who did?

No, my son didn't do band (despite 6 years in high school marching band!). I don't think he knows any band members either. I know they have to be there early - not sure who you contact about finding out how to get involved with that. Maybe start with his admissions counselor.

dfroberts said:

Thanks! No on AFROTC - will apply for 3 year scholarship.

He is also interested in Regimental Band - did your son do that or know any Rooks who did?

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Dfroberts, I can try to answer some questions about band as I have a couple of friends who are in it. I would suggest contacting LTC Edwards as he is in charge of the band.

Thanks! My son has already reached out via email to LTC Edwards - waiting on a response. From what we can see, Rooks can be in Regimental Band? What kind of time commitment is it and is there an audition process?

Yes Rooks are encouraged to participate in all clubs and sports. I have seen sending 2 sons and 2 daughters to college that this participation actually helped their grades. They learned great time management skills.

dfroberts said:

Thanks! My son has already reached out via email to LTC Edwards - waiting on a response. From what we can see, Rooks can be in Regimental Band? What kind of time commitment is it and is there an audition process?

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Yes, rooks can be in Regimental Band. The time commitment is practice 2-3 times a week im pretty sure, as for the audition process im not sure if there is one. I know that Regimental Band counts as a 2 or 3 credit class as well.

My DS will be in the Class of 2019 Corp of Cadets Army. One question is it worth paying for any of the laundry services at Norwich? Any feedback would be great.

jbmac72NU said:

My DS will be in the Class of 2019 Corp of Cadets Army. One question is it worth paying for any of the laundry services at Norwich? Any feedback would be great.

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Sorry this made me chuckle. My son did not pay for laundry services at Norwich. He somehow convinced his Rook roomate to do his laundry their first two years. We always joke about that particularly when his roomate visits. That roomate is now an Army Ranger.

BTW, parents try to get there for family weekend. Your rook really needs those hours off campus

Thanks NorwichDad your son was smart with laundry. Wasn't concerned about all laundry mostly uniform but I believe I am going to go with out that service.

My son did not have the laundry or the dry cleaning service. He seemed to do fine without it. They often combine their laundry with someone else, at least that is what it seemed like my son did. We sent him with a very large container of quarters, and whenever he would come home he cleaned us out!
We had the pants and the tunic drycleaned when he came home for Christmas.Just the pants over Spring break. They can take it to the Uniform Store and pay by the piece also.

Thanks so much for responses. Great to have a forum where we can ask the little questions we may not know the answers too. I am sure before August I will have more.

jbmac72NU said:

Thanks so much for responses. Great to have a forum where we can ask the little questions we may not know the answers too. I am sure before August I will have more.

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Two things I would advise. Your son should start running everyday. He does not have to run Marathons, just a few miles. Second, the rooks are very restricted their first few months at Norwich. They can't leave campus or do many other things aside from Norwich Clubs and Sports. That first few months there, restricted, is a great opportunity to study hard. The best way to impress a PMS is having good grades.

Best Wishes to him.

Yes, run and do pushups and situps so they can pass to Corps PT test and the ROTC PT test right away. If they do not pass the Corps PT test, they have to do remedial PT. Arriving in shape will also take away a bit of stress that first week. Oh, and pack icy hot (or some other muscle rub) and ibuprofen!

Thanks this is all so helpful.

Thanks for setting this topic up. My son will be applying for entrance of the fall of 2016. Norwich is his number #1 choice though we have never stepped on campus.

I will be an incoming Rook for the class of 2019. Could you specify restrictions I should expect, especially those regarding laptops, cell phones, and when I am able to leave campus?