New Student Indoctrination and unit arrival questions NROTC NSI

JohnMcLane

JohnMcLane

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DS heads to NSI this summer. I could find no packing list other than "wear a polo shirt and khakis, have an approved govt ID, copies of orders, and don't bring anything except $300 to buy toiletries so everyone will have the same toiletries." This is from the NROTC NSI information page.

I couldn't find good info on the forum or elsewhere with respect to:

1. What is the $300 for? That's a lot of toothpaste for 2 1/2 weeks. Do they bring swimsuit, socks, and underwear to NSI or are these gonna be government issue?

2. What is the takeaway NSI pay besides travel per diem? NSI means missing weeks of summer work right before starting college. Let me stop you if you are going to talk about "the scholarship is worth so much you shouldn't care". That response is not helpful.

3. Do they keep the uniform issue at NSI or do they turn it back in upon completion? If they keep this issue, since they aren't supposed to bring anything to NSI, are they issued a back-pack or duffel to carry stuff back home? Is NSI uniform issue in addition to or in lieu of what they'll get from their NROTC unit? Will they have to pay for uniforms at the NROTC unit/deducted from stipend, etc?

4. Can they bring their own boots? My DS has god-awful expensive boots already broken in from his JROTC competitions. It would be sad to waste money on less-than-great-issue boots if they force him to buy them.
 
I can't answer your questions above but out of curiosity - did DS get to put in a preference of which of the 3 NSI sessions he would prefer to go to date-wise, or do they just assign it based on when you accept the scholarship offer?
 
He got marine option first board in early December. His school had contacted him prior to that asking his preference. Since we have a once in a decade family reunion scheduled for mid-late June we requested 3rd cycle. We have just completed his nsi packet (did Dodmerbs already) so we have not officially heard his cycle yet.
 
JohnMcLane said:
DS heads to NSI this summer. I could find no packing list other than "wear a polo shirt and khakis, have an approved govt ID, copies of orders, and don't bring anything except $300 to buy toiletries so everyone will have the same toiletries." This is from the NROTC NSI information page.

I couldn't find good info on the forum or elsewhere with respect to:

1. What is the $300 for? That's a lot of toothpaste for 2 1/2 weeks. Do they bring swimsuit, socks, and underwear to NSI or are these gonna be government issue?

2. What is the takeaway NSI pay besides travel per diem? NSI means missing weeks of summer work right before starting college. Let me stop you if you are going to talk about "the scholarship is worth so much you shouldn't care". That response is not helpful.

3. Do they keep the uniform issue at NSI or do they turn it back in upon completion? If they keep this issue, since they aren't supposed to bring anything to NSI, are they issued a back-pack or duffel to carry stuff back home? Is NSI uniform issue in addition to or in lieu of what they'll get from their NROTC unit? Will they have to pay for uniforms at the NROTC unit/deducted from stipend, etc?

4. Can they bring their own boots? My DS has god-awful expensive boots already broken in from his JROTC competitions. It would be sad to waste money on less-than-great-issue boots if they force him to buy them.
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Really good questions….following this post!
 
My DS went to NSI last summer and is also a MO...I can partially answer some of your questions...
1) the money is for literally everything they will need while they are there. I believe the instructions last year were that the soon to be midshipmen were to bring 2 days worth of toiletries and underwear, socks, etc. and then they were issued everything else for the duration of their stay.
2) I don't believe they receive any pay. I don't recall my DS ever getting paid for attending NSI and he doesn't either.
3) Yes, they keep the uniforms they are issued at NSI and are issued a seabag in which they can bring everything back. They will get additional uniform items from their ROTC unit as well. The midshipmen are not required to pay for the uniform items themselves - I believe it is covered by the scholarship.
4) I have no idea. My DS did not already have boots. I would suspect that he shouldn't bring his own boots though. He will be hating life if he were to bring items that are not specifically on the packing list. He can always wear his good boots when he gets to his unit.
 
mkusmc said:
I believe it is covered by the scholarship.
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I believe everything in your post is accurate (my kid was pre-NSI). The exception is that uniforms are covered by the Navy. Non-scholarship midshipmen will receive uniforms as well.
 
Using a link the good @GWU PNS provided last year, I found the Information and Instructions for NSI 2023.


While it may not answer all your questions, it does have a lot of information, including a link to a physical training app that is "highly encouraged" for Marine options. There is also an email address where your DS could direct any unanswered questions.

As for pay, I believe the information from years past is that they are paid, but it is a very nominal amount, certainly not what your DS could make working a regular job full time over that period.
 
ProudDad17 said:
Using a link the good @GWU PNS provided last year, I found the Information and Instructions for NSI 2023.


While it may not answer all your questions, it does have a lot of information, including a link to a physical training app that is "highly encouraged" for Marine options. There is also an email address where your DS could direct any unanswered questions.

As for pay, I believe the information from years past is that they are paid, but it is a very nominal amount, certainly not what your DS could make working a regular job full time over that period.
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Appreciate the shout out from ProudDad17 and I will continue to try and be useful in my remaining months in the job before they hand me a fake gold watch and push me in my rollator chair out the door.

One foot stomp for all of the NSI preps--- sickle cell trait testing is required, not optional. There is always that one.....just don't be that one.

Second reminder that NSI is required to "activate" the scholarship. Every summer there are a few who have all sorts of reasons they just cannot make it. Unless given some form of waiver or exception, NSI is non-negotiable. For any questions on the above, the absolute, hands-down, best authority for resolution is the Candidate Guidance Office and that email is listed in the packet. The CO, XO, and CMDCM for the NSI group was selected a couple months ago, and they are finalizing how business will happen this year. We will pump almost twice as many Mid Candidates through this year. (Forgot to mention that tip for new arrivals......you are a Midshipman CANDIDATE, not yet a MIDSHIPMAN. Have no fear, the Drill Instructors will help you with that.)

As a reminder, the intent of NSI is to ensure the candidates want this for themselves, rather than signing up because mom, dad, uncle joe, the neighbor, big brother, or whomever else put them up to it.) It is not uncommon to have several candidates dropping on request on day 1.

The less people bring with them the better. The busses are small, and things get left on them, or left at the airport. Everything critically needed will be provided (minus the hygiene products). I read about someone's expensive boots. That person's unit can answer that question directly. My anecdotal answer, based on a little bit of experience with the Marine Corps, anything that might make a person stand out in an individual manner, or make someone appear to be "special" and in some way privileged........I'll just say this is a time to just blend in. I'll defer to the enlisted and commissioned Marines on the forum here to correct me if I am off base.......picture in your mind a line of ferocious doberman pincers......but then there's one without docked ears and a long waving tail.......he becomes the "special" one. The bane of every Gunnery Sergeant is the special case.

All right, it's back to the help wanted adds for me. Looks like Waffle House needs a night shift line cook........ :cool:
 
My son attended NSI last year and was sent a packing list with a few required items such as sweats; I can't remember what else...but it wasn't much as it all needed to fit in a backpack. He literally did not use a single item, so I'm guessing your son wouldn't be allowed to use his own books...they are even issued running shoes.

At my son's university, they were required to use issued boots at least the first semester. Some privileges are earned later (he can now wear different boots), but privileges are also different from outfit to outfit within the same university.

One other piece of advice that was given to my son was that you DO NOT want to stand out in ANY way. Wear the issued boots. And that applied to his freshman year (especially fall).

Funny story...many of the cadets reported meeting up with others wearing the "NSI uniform" in the airports. The khakis and polo/button ups apparently stood out!
 
Hopefully GWU PNS will stay engaged here even after retirement.

I also second the sickle cell test concern. It was a nightmare trying to get a record from the state he was born in...they couldn't even confirm if he was given the test without me sending in a written request. We decided to just get one done locally. His doctor here made him schedule an office visit just to write a lab referral to get it done. Still haven't gotten the results. Note: even at his DODMERB physical they denied our request to get him tested.

While I agree sticking out in anyway is a bad idea, with boots there are many postings here about bringing your own boots to various unpleasant things and I think I even heard USMA let's you pick your own brand/style of boot before you get there on I Day. This is why I'm researching in this community. To many, combat boots are just another type of shoe, but not to me. Remember LT Dan's first rule.

Interesting that some NROTC units apparently make you "earn" right to choose your own boots.
 
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The main thing I see in terms of Mods picking their own boots centers on whether they are pre-spit shined. Learn to do it first, then wear what you want that meets safety regs. For Marine Options going on a FEX, they should wear whatever the AMOI thinks works best. And that may depend on whether they are dealing with mid, cement, wooded terrain, or all of the above.
 
GWU PNS said:
The main thing I see in terms of Mods picking their own boots centers on whether they are pre-spit shined. Learn to do it first, then wear what you want that meets safety regs. For Marine Options going on a FEX, they should wear whatever the AMOI thinks works best. And that may depend on whether they are dealing with mid, cement, wooded terrain, or all of the above.
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Good points. You can never go wrong asking your instructor. Boots must be mission appropriate and within regs. There are plenty of Hollywood boots out there that must be avoided.
 
Do not bring your own boots. Follow directions to the letter. NSI is the NROTC equivalent of enlisted bootcamp or Plebe summer. There are many videos on YouTube at this point to give you a feel for what to expect. This is where we step back and let Papa Navy mold our kids into competent sailors.

Any items to bring were listed by our kid’s unit’s command in various communications. By which I mean, the NROTC unit at the university your midshipman candidate will attend in the fall. They are the go-to source ultimately. Later in the spring many units send more communications. His/her unit will also conduct a Unit Introduction, most often just before classes begin.

My kid was in the trial group way back in ‘18. It was a phenomenal experience. You can best help your kid by making sure they stay in good health/shape, pay very close attention to the details and communications they receive, and take this seriously: there will be an oath taken by the end. Not trying to freak out anyone, just think you should understand there are loving Detailers and Gunneys overseeing this process. Buy some moleskin and pray the kid can use the expensive boots the other 49 weeks of the year.

And no joke about fitness: my kid said the Admiral running the program kicked everyone’s B-hind on the final run! Good luck!
 
As yet I have seen no letter. Fortunately, fitness is not something DS has to worry about.
 

Ihavenoidea said:
Leukotape is amazing stuff. Sticks to skin and stays there and protects the skin. I've used in for hiking many times and love the stuff. Best if used before the blisters really start or get big.
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I have never heard of this but will investigate.
 
I concur with the others about not bringing his own boots to NSI. As far as if he's able to use them during the year, it depends on the NROTC unit. At mine, everyone had to wear their issued boots almost all of the time so people would be the same for formations. This included all Navy options wearing shined black boots! The only exception was if we were going out to the field for something like a FEX or Leadership Reaction Course, then someone could wear different boots if they were within regulations like the Coyote Brown ones.
 
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