I knew there was one place I forgot to look... Facebook! I cant PM you yet as I haven't made 5 posts so I wont get too specific, but I should have provided more information initially. I plan to go Navy option and live out of state from South Carolina. And yes, I am interested in Naval Aviation. I want to study Marine Sciences and pursue a minor or double major; I have 16 credits now with AP at SC so I plan to at least earn a double minor (one of which being Naval Science). I guess I would like to know what SC does for Orientation and what kind of training they do at Fort Jackson and Parris Island. If you know what an average week is like at the unit I would appreciate that insight as well.
OK. Thanks for the insight on your interests. Lot's of ground to cover so strap in... here goes!
Being out of state you are eligible to be selected for the Woodrow Scholarship at South Carolina. All out of state applicants are automatically entered for this scholarship merely by applying. It brings the tuition rate down to near in-state levels. As a Woodrow scholarship winner, this is what enabled my son to attend there as the costs were only $2K more than what it would have cost to send him to a public in NC.
The unit's alumni association also gives scholarships to college programmers who complete freshman orientation that are essentially equivalent to the Woodrow scholarship. I don't know if they still do this, especially as the Freshman Orientation format changed radically this year. If you meet with the cadre at the school this might be a good question to ask. It's always wise to have backup plans if you don't get an NROTC scholarship. BTW - if you don't win an NROTC scholarship, midshipmen in good standing can apply for an in-school (sideload) scholarship starting second semester of freshman year. It's a national competition and I think around 200 such scholarships were awarded last year for Navy Option midshipmen.
I'm not too clear on the new Freshman Orientation format at South Carolina. It used to be that prospective midshipmen reported 6 days prior to move-in day and bunked at the unit the entire week while they went through training, PT, etc. It was a pretty intense week. I believe this year folks reported on move-in day and slept in their dorms and participated in other school activities. They also PTed at 0'Dark:30 day (much as they would during the school year) and attended NROTC "academic" classes learning custom and courtesies, etc. etc. All gear was also issued during the week. I'm not sure why they changed it this year. The previous MOI returned to the fleet and I'm not sure when the new MOI (Marine Officer Instructor - in charge of ALL physical training at the unit) reported. So that could be it. It might also be just the change in personnel itself. Or it maybe they reassessed how they were doing things. They may also reassess this year, plus the same MOI will still be there next year, so there is no guarantee as to what Freshman O will look like next year in my opinion. However, whatever format Freshman O takes, trust me, you will be well trained at the unit.
At Fort Jackson training will vary. One session might be on the Leadership Development Course where each person gets a chance to play "squad leader" and "solve" a problem... could be "repairing a blown bridge", getting munitions across a "blown bridge", getting a wounded Marine across a "river", etc etc. Another might be running their Obstacle or Confidence course. Another might be Land Navigation (most likely would be Marines for that but one never knows).
Parris Island was for Marines but Navy Options were allowed to attend at least one year. Rappelling, Fast Roping, landing in a "helicopter" and moving a few miles to retrieve a "downed pilot" and return to the helicopter, under arms of course. etc.
A typical freshman week: PT 05:30 Mon Wed, Fri. You'll also be expected to PT a couple times a week on your own time, and you'll need to to get better scores. Naval Science class 2 - 3 days a week. It usually starts 8:45 or 9:00 but times may vary. I think they try to schedule it so you have plenty of time to shower, dress, and get breakfast before class. Naval Science Lab 1 afternoon per week 2:30 - 5:00. This year it's on Tuesday. You will wear your uniform that day to all your classes and to lab as well, of course. After formation and roll the lab might be something the entire unit participates in, or you could break up into respective clubs for some training. There is usually a "fun day" of competitive athletics each semester with the unit. There is also usually a "Fittest Midshipman" competition each semester, something analogous to the PFT or CFT but with more 'fun' stuff. Fall football games - Tally Ho! pregame tailgate. And for all students, an opportunity to get tickets in the exciting student section for the 'big game' while wearing Garnet and Black. Sunday AM after home football games - report at 06:45 to clean up the stadium and the surrounding grounds, rain or shine. (BTW - I'm going down to Columbia this Thursday just to go to Tally Ho! and watch the Gamecocks whup up on UNC! I'll watch the game on the big screen under the Tally-Ho! canopy while enjoying burgers, potato salad and my favorite beverage. Free for midshipmen (hence, stadium cleaning). I have to pay a "donation")
Special Events: Fall and Summer CO's inspection during lab. Navy and Marine Birthday Ball in the fall... wear your dress blues and bring your favorite date, or have one of your buddies set you up with someone. Late autumn semester "Pass in Review". Mess night in the spring (also referred to as dining-in)... another dress blue evening. End of spring semester - Tri-Service Awards.. all ROTCs get together for performance awards from alumni association and/or American Legion. Some of these awards have scholarship $$$$ to go with them.
Check out the Facebook page and you'll see pics of ALL this stuff. Hope this helps!