These responses have been so helpful. I might as well ask some of the questions that I still have.
How does it work with getting my masters through NRTOC. I want to major in computer engineering, but not sure when I will have the time to get my masters. Also, how does things like the Naval Postgraduate School work, is it free or is it that we just get paid while being there? I hope someone would be able to clarify for me.
I am currently going through the VERY VERY long process to apply for a graduate program immediately after commissioning. As everyone said, it's hard and very rare. See info from the NROTC ROD below:
4-40 Graduate Study Many options are available for midshipmen to pursue graduate education either before or after they are commissioned. Marine Option students are not eligible for graduate education scholarships until they have completed The Basic School (TBS). STA-21 OCs may only apply for the Burke Program. Graduate education programs require additional active duty obligations in accordance with DoD Instruction 1215.08. Midshipmen who are interested in graduate study shall make their interests known to NSTC OD4 before or during service assignment. Education programs are classified as fully-funded, partiallyfunded, or non-funded.
Fully-Funded NSTC M-1533.2C CH-2 JANUARY 2019 4-34 a. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Joint Master Program. USNA and NROTC may each nominate one midshipman for participation in the MIT/WHOI Oceanography Program. The program begins in June, typically requires 24-27 months to complete, and leads to a 6402P (Operational Oceanography) subspecialty code. Midshipmen who service select aviation are not eligible for this program. Applicants for this program must first submit an application to MIT/WHOI by the deadline listed in the annual NAVADMIN. A package consisting of a copy of the MIT/WHOI application, transcripts, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, student statement, and PNS endorsement shall be forwarded to NSTC OD4 no later than the MIT/WHOI application deadline listed in the NAVADMIN. Upon receipt, NSTC OD4 will screen the packages for eligibility and forward to OPNAV N13 for community manager concurrence. Once NSTC OD4 receives community manager concurrence, the list of nominees will be forwarded to the Office of the Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy for approval.
b. The Junior Line Officer Advanced Educational Program (Burke Program). The Burke Program provides an opportunity for URL officers in scientific and engineering disciplines for assignment to subspecialty billets. This program includes aviation, subsurface, and surface midshipmen and STA-21 OCs. Curricula shall be consistent with the individual’s designator and the needs of the Navy. Upon commissioning, the selected recipient will attend post-accession training before their initial 30-36 month operational tour. After completion of their initial tour, Burke Program students may be assigned duty under instruction at civilian schools or attend the Naval Post-Graduate School (NPS). Participants in this program will receive full pay and allowances and will be entitled to a PCS if applicable. NSTC OD may select 15 senior NROTC midshipmen or OCs each year. The PNS shall forward nominations to NSTC OD4. Upon receipt, NSTC OD4 will screen the packages for eligibility and forward to OPNAV N13 for community manager concurrence. Once NSTC OD4 receives community manager concurrence, the list of nominees will be forwarded to NPS for approval. Partially-Funded
a. The Scholarship Program (1) The Scholarship Program is directed toward fulfilling Navy needs in operational, technical, and managerial areas in concert with the officer subspecialty system. Upon commissioning, selectees attend graduate school full-time and receive full pay and allowances. Applicants must complete their degree in 24 months or less. Personnel may not attend law or medical school under this program. Participation in the program will be at an institution within the United States that is accredited by a regional accrediting association recognized by the Department of Education. Subspecialty code determination is performed by NPS upon review of the student’s curriculum. Exceptions are made for Rhodes, Olmsted, and similar scholarships where study is required at a foreign institution. Typically, the applicant must apply and receive a scholarship that is equal to or greater than 50 percent of the tuition costs. Annual program quotas are established by OPNAV N13. Historically, these quotas have ranged from three to eleven NROTC midshipmen. (2) An application package prescribed by the annual NAVADMIN must be received by NSTC OD no later than 15 January. Upon receipt, NSTC OD4 will screen the packages for eligibility and forward them to OPNAV N13 for community manager concurrence. Once NSTC OD4 receives community manager concurrence, the list of nominees will be forwarded to NPS for approval. Selected students shall submit proof of acceptance into a graduate program with a qualifying scholarship to NSTC OD no later than 31 May. Additional guidance may be found in the annual NAVADMIN and OPNAVINST 1520.24 series. NSTC M-1533.2C CH-2 JANUARY 2019 4-35
b. Anna Sobol Levy Foundation Scholarship (1) The purpose of this fellowship scholarship is to provide future officers an opportunity to learn first-hand about the unique relationship between the U.S. and Israel, to master regional politics, culture, and security affairs, and to study foreign languages at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Midshipmen should apply directly to the Foundation using application materials available from
www.annasobollevyfoundation.org. (2) Midshipmen must submit an application package to NSTC OD4 per the current NAVADMIN for this scholarship program and OPNAVINST 1520.24 series no later than 15 January. Upon receipt, NSTC OD4 will screen the packages for eligibility and forward them to OPNAV N13 for community manager concurrence. Once NSTC OD4 receives community manager concurrence, the list of nominees will be forwarded to NPS for approval. The student will be approved for graduate study contingent on detailer concurrence, acceptance into the graduate program, and receipt of the foundation scholarship. The student shall submit proof of the foundation’s scholarship to NSTC OD no later than 31 May. (3) This program is not the only means of attending the Hebrew University in Jerusalem; midshipmen may also apply under the Olmsted Foundation program. Midshipmen may also attend for the purposes of broadening regional awareness and acquiring critical language skills in Hebrew and Arabic through cultural immersion via non-funded graduate, overseas study, or personal LOA. (4) This program may not be available every year.
Non-funded a. Graduate Education LOA. NSTC OD may grant up to 40 Graduate Education LOAs for Navy Option midshipmen to pursue a graduate degree. Although selectees still compete for service assignment and are assigned a designator during their senior year, they are not commissioned until they finish their graduate degree requirements. A five-year obligation must be maintained beyond graduation, the student must sign an Agreement to Extend Enlistment NAVPERS 1070/621 to maintain a five-year obligation beyond graduation. To qualify for a Graduate Education LOA, the midshipmen must meet the following conditions: (1) The student shall be ranked in the top 25% of their midshipman class; (2) The graduate course of study shall reflect a logical progression of the undergraduate study; (3) The study must be in a field of Navy interest; (4) The study must be under the PNS supervision; (5) The study must not require more than 24 months for completion; and (6) All approvals are contingent on community manager concurrence and acceptance into a graduate program. b. Although Navy Option midshipmen may indicate their interest in graduate education during service assignment (i.e. when submitting their Service Assignment/Duty Preference Form) all official requests for Graduate Education LOA must be submitted to NSTC OD4. In doing so, midshipmen must indicate their degree interest, the school they plan to attend, and the anticipated length of the LOA. In addition, they NSTC M-1533.2C CH-2 JANUARY 2019 4-36 shall provide a current transcript and either a completed application or proof of acceptance into a graduate degree program. Students scheduled for commissioning 1 October through 31 March must submit their request to NSTC OD4 no later than 1 August of the year prior to commissioning. All requests for graduate study LOA must be received by OD4 no later than eight months prior to the requester’s scheduled graduation date. Upon receipt, NSTC OD4 will screen the packages for eligibility, make assignments, and coordinate community manager review. Upon receipt of community manager concurrence, the PNS is responsible for tracking the midshipman’s acceptance into a graduate degree program prior to commencement of LOA. NSTC OD4 will notify those midshipmen approved for graduate education LOA
