NROTC Initial Training?

Hopeful MDN

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Is there any initial training or basic training for students going into their freshman year with an NROTC scholarship? I am aware of OCS and the Summer Cruises, but I was just wondering how early the NROTC students leave. Any help would be great. Thank you.
 
The units we have dealt with for my son have the new freshmen show up for NROTC Orientation a week before classes start. It will not likely be quite like basic training but I am sure there will be significant physical aspects to the orientation week. The unit certainly emphasized strongly the need to be in shape when he showed up. Hope this helps.:biggrin:
 
Depends upon the school. The typical program has mids arrive 5-7 days before school "officially" starts, with arrangements made to open dorms early for them (although in one case there is a video of cots in the armory where they drill). I have also seen one school where the mids arrive the normal time and devote the first 6 Saturdays and several that have a two-three week orientation before school starts.

Knowing someone who DQ'd after nine days at one of the latter programs, all I can say is to come physically prepared. It is a darn shame to spend so much time qualifying, getting the scholarship, etc., and then to arrive physically unfit and, at a minimm, being subject to remedial PT and risking loss of the scholarship. There are several PT prep programs that the military distributes and which are widely available. Just because you (e.g.) swim in hs does not mean that you will be able to run 1.5 miles - many sports build specific muscles which are not the focus of ROTC. Having coached softball for many years, I can say that most of my players could not have run a quarter mile if need be!
 
We just got home from picking up my son from his unit's 5 day orientation. He did not stop talking about it from the minute we picked him up. It was not the most difficult week of PT, but he did mention how a bit of the students did show up not quite ready for the activity level that they were started at. It seems as though the plan is if you don't exercise... start. If you do... do even more.
 
On Youtube there is a Cornell NROTC Freshman Orientation video with a great USMC DI. Yes - it pays to come prepared physically!
 
My daughter just started her freshman year on a four year scholarship and just returned from her 6 day indoc in VA. The indoc was a combination of physical training, classroom training, and tours of the assorted Navy disciplines including an F-18 squadron at NAS Oceana, Amphibious Assault ship at NS Norfolk, and a tour of a nuclear powered sub. While she reported in excellent physical shape it was quite obvious that a large number of the new freshman did not do the same and struggled with the program. She is now back on campus and started her classes a couple of days ago. GO NAVY!!!
 
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