NROTC College Program

I received my NROTC TWE a few days ago. I've been in contact with the CO from the NROTC unit at RPI, and he has said that I can join the unit as a College Programmer. Now, I'm in communication with the OIC of College Programmer paperwork. What do I expect from joining as a College Programmer ?

hannahru06 said:

I received my NROTC TWE a few days ago. I've been in contact with the CO from the NROTC unit at RPI, and he has said that I can join the unit as a College Programmer. Now, I'm in communication with the OIC of College Programmer paperwork. What do I expect from joining as a College Programmer ?

Click to expand...

The same as you would expect if you had bee awarded a scholarship....less the money and DoDMERB. You will do everything that a Scholarship Mid candidate does except for possibility of NSI. I recommend asking if you have a chance for NSI with RPI this summer. Some units do it and some don't send college programmers. If it is a possibility, I recommend you informing them of your interest and getting any paperwork in ASAP so it is a possibility. Getting NSI done this summer opens you up for next summer for training possibilities. It also will not hurt when it comes time for side load scholarship consideration. If no NSI, then they will likely have a NSO just before classes start at college.

During the school year, you will be treated the same as a scholarship Mid. Freshman year is more about learning to follow then leading. Pay attention, be active in your unit, crush the PFT, and do well academically. Do those things, and you will be set up well for a side load scholarship next summer.

hannahru06 said:

I received my NROTC TWE a few days ago. I've been in contact with the CO from the NROTC unit at RPI, and he has said that I can join the unit as a College Programmer. Now, I'm in communication with the OIC of College Programmer paperwork. What do I expect from joining as a College Programmer ?

Click to expand...

Have you read every link and page at the RPI website?
At the main NROTC website?

You are doing all the right things, speaking to the unit CO (PNS, Professor of Naval Science), and getting things rolling in college programmer admin. Bottom line, you can reach your goal of a commission as a Navy officer this way. You do essentially the same things. Work hard and excel, be a good midshipman, always squared away professionally, positive, and a willing volunteer, a good shipmate to your peers, and succeed academically, perform well on the PRT, lean forward in every way you can, and you will be a strong contender for scholarships you can apply for once enrolled.

Your best source for answers now is the unit. They will be your chain of command and primary source. RPI is a great pick!

Ihavenoidea said:

The same as you would expect if you had bee awarded a scholarship....less the money and DoDMERB. You will do everything that a Scholarship Mid candidate does except for possibility of NSI. I recommend asking if you have a chance for NSI with RPI this summer. Some units do it and some don't send college programmers. If it is a possibility, I recommend you informing them of your interest and getting any paperwork in ASAP so it is a possibility. Getting NSI done this summer opens you up for next summer for training possibilities. It also will not hurt when it comes time for side load scholarship consideration. If no NSI, then they will likely have a NSO just before classes start at college.

During the school year, you will be treated the same as a scholarship Mid. Freshman year is more about learning to follow then leading. Pay attention, be active in your unit, crush the PFT, and do well academically. Do those things, and you will be set up well for a side load scholarship next summer.

Click to expand...

I appreciate you encouraging asking about NSI this summer. I know that is one of the differences between scholarship midshipmen and programmers at the outset.

Capt MJ said:

I appreciate you encouraging asking about NSI this summer. I know that is one of the differences between scholarship midshipmen and programmers at the outset.

Click to expand...

The CO said that there is a possibility that I will be attending NSI this summer, if slots are still open. He said if they aren't , I'll be going next summer. Would I also do CORTRAMID, along with NSI next summer ?

hannahru06 said:

The CO said that there is a possibility that I will be attending NSI this summer, if slots are still open. He said if they aren't , I'll be going next summer. Would I also do CORTRAMID, along with NSI next summer ?

Click to expand...

The unit or fellow NROTC posters here are your best bet for answers, as summer schedules for ROTC are not my strong point. I won’t guess, because that wastes your time. (Though I would guess yes!)

I would recommend immediately asking about NSI, to see if they can get you in. Shows positive attitude and “leaning in.” If you do NSI this summer, you will be in the mix with unit classmates. Shared experiences start the bonding. Just do it!

hannahru06 said:

The CO said that there is a possibility that I will be attending NSI this summer, if slots are still open. He said if they aren't , I'll be going next summer. Would I also do CORTRAMID, along with NSI next summer ?

Click to expand...

Best answer is ..... maybe. There are alot of variables if you can do both NSI and CORTRAMID in the same summer. It is possible, but not sure thing. One thing my CPer is dealing with right now is that the board dates for side loads are not until end of July. He was able to do NSI last summer, but he is not eligible for CORTRAMID this summer. He does not have a scholarship and contract, so he cannot get a CAC card in time if he is awarded a scholarship to get a CAC card and go to CORTRAMID this summer.

Now it is possible that your unit might be different and it could be possible to do CORTRAMID next summer with or without NSI. Just understand that graduating NSI is required to activate scholarship, so if you don't do it this summer. Then it will definitely happen next summer so that your side load(if awarded) can activate for next fall.

Best advice....Worry about this summer now, and next summer next spring. A lot can happen by next spring. Get any paperwork done to join the unit. Maybe consider getting the NSI medical forms completed and all of that information together now just in case you have a chance at NSI. It is possible that you will get short notification about a spot at NSI later this spring or summer. Having all of the information ready will be much easier to deal with if you get that call/email. Let the unit know your NSI packet is read as it shows the unit that you are ready to go and maybe put you higher up on the NSI waitlist.

My DS is currently a freshman
They were able to send all non-scholarship to NSI and he said this was part of a broader policy to give everyone the same starting point so hopefully will happen in your unit.
COTRAMID was strictly scholarship due to cost and Navy's limited capacity to host mids.