NROTC Indoc Question

T

tman9285

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Jul 12, 2017
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Hey all,
I'm not new to the forum, but as a Marine Option recipient of a few months now, I'm beginning to prepare for the Summer Indoc, provided my DoDMERB goes through (which it should). However, I have a question regarding the PFT. To activate the scholarship, do I need to replicate my PFT score that got me the scholarship? Or do I need to just get a "First Class" score? As of right now, as I'm off season from Cross Country and am playing tennis (a weak-ish sport), I lack the time to go running as often, as I have a ton of other commitments that take up 24 hours and a minute of my daily routine (that's exaggerating, but you get the idea). As it stands, I have little hope of reaching my best 3-mile time in time for Indoc (which is around July, I have heard). Is this something that should be a major concern to me?

Obviously I will do the absolute best I can and push myself until I drop but any advice would be awesome. Thanks.
 
@tman9285: you do not need to REPLICATE the original PFT score but you do need to pass. Drop below a 1st Class score on your initial PFT with your unit and you are going to receive a lot of attention (the kind you don't want). You have all the time you need - you just need the motivation.
 
I would think you could find 30 minutes a day, or even every other day, to run. How bad do you want this? You'll probably sleep better too. Time to start figuring out time management and prioritizing my friend. You got this.
 
kinnem said:
I would think you could find 30 minutes a day, or even every other day, to run. How bad do you want this? You'll probably sleep better too. Time to start figuring out time management and prioritizing my friend. You got this.
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That's probably true, I can probably squeeze in a bit of running every day if I just focus a bit more.
 
DS found at Indoc last summer that the testing conditions were totally different from his ideal CFA circumstances. (He was able to use CFA to apply for NROTC, so he never took a PFT until he got to Indoc) At Indoc the test might be given at Early O’clock, or the day it was scheduled was particularly warm or humid. He couldn’t control or taper workouts ahead of time as he could when he was all on his own. There was never an opportunity to sleep as much as his 18yo body wanted. And of course that’s the point. If we all knew when we’d need X ability we’d wait around until we could wait no longer.

In other words, you need to train up no matter how you killed the PFT when applying. And not just for the test. You have plenty of time.

And as nutty gung-ho as that sounds: DS said he passed but was really disappointed in his score. Felt he fell in the back half of every physical event. DH who had helped him plan training was surprised as well. DS only realized months later that pretty much everyone *felt* that way because Indoc wears you down. There’s a billion good reasons for the training method as it is. So know that you’re going in to something very challenging and train up for it.

I love this story my DS came home with: RA Bernacchi, who spearheaded the NROTC Indoc program (i think), lead the MDN candidates for a run the final day. DS said it was no less challenging, that this decades older gentleman was hauling a$$. It made a huge impression. Your goal? Don’t let your leaders drop you!

You don’t need luck to get through Indoc. They picked you because they believe you capable. Really. Now go live up to your own expectations for yourself.
 
Glad to see this. I also received a scholarship and have questions like this too. Does anyone know when we will hear anything about the dates for INDOC.
 
DS heard in late May last year. Your unit may be able to inform you earlier, and this year will be different than last year bc it was a trial program last year.
 
Once you pass the hurdles (scholarship, DODMERB) you should get a welcome note from the Unit along with instructions. Details will likely be included but if not, you can contact them. If you search Google deep enough, you may find dates posted from other universities to give you an idea of the potential timing.

@benlew1s - feel free to post any questions you might have and the community will respond.
 
I've heard that everyone will be going to the NSTC run INDOC next year. What the units do after that will vary from unit to unit, some may not do anything, some may do their own full on NSO after the NSTC INDOC.

As USMCGrunt said, expect word from your unit or reach out to them.
 
I agree with the above posts, but for a more specific timeline of where you should be, know that the PFA during Indoc is inventory (to activate the scholarship and to determine how many days of PT you'll have to do) and the score that truly matters and is counted towards your FITREP is at the end of the semester. You should still continue to try and improve your score as much as you can, because as USMCGrunt said, it won't look good and you will receive the wrong kind of attention for it.
If that's not enough motivation, work hard to avoid being put on remedial PT. Those few extra days you have to sleep in are totally worth it. :)
 
BLUF - Keep training and pass every PRT/PFA/Whatwe'recallingitthisweek by a healthy margin, shoot for the maxes, first class, etc. . .

Something else some might find useful:
The exact details of what PRT counts for what will vary from unit to unit.

We did a PRT to activate scholarship during NSO and then our Inventory PRT with the whole unit about a week after NSO. Our official FITREP one is also toward the end of the Semester. Units also may have standards that vary slightly, some units may want a Good Low to not be on FEP (remedial), some may want a Good High. Some may also use the 17-19 age group, while some put all MIDN into the 20-24 age group.
 
You will do much worse than expected your first day. No sleep, lots of nerves, no time to warm up. You might not even pass the standard. That happened last year to quite a lot of midshipmen. But fear not, you only have to pass it by the end of Indoc (that was the case last year). And after just two weeks I dropped a whole two minutes off my mile and a half time and almost doubled my pushups. Imagine what you’ll be able to do after three weeks of intense PT. Do what’s asked of you and you’ll be in tip top shape by the time it’s over. But do yourself a favor and work out a lot before you get there. It’s embarrassing if they know your name on the first day
 
Mmmidshipman said:
You will do much worse than expected your first day. No sleep, lots of nerves, no time to warm up. You might not even pass the standard. That happened last year to quite a lot of midshipmen. But fear not, you only have to pass it by the end of Indoc (that was the case last year). And after just two weeks I dropped a whole two minutes off my mile and a half time and almost doubled my pushups. Imagine what you’ll be able to do after three weeks of intense PT. Do what’s asked of you and you’ll be in tip top shape by the time it’s over. But do yourself a favor and work out a lot before you get there. It’s embarrassing if they know your name on the first day
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Just curious. Do the Marine Options PT separately?
 
May vary from place to place, but ours PT with the Navy Options twice a week and then have another day where they do their own SF PT.
 
BarryD said:
May vary from place to place, but ours PT with the Navy Options twice a week and then have another day where they do their own SF PT.
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I understand that. I was asking about Indoctrination (the topic of the thread), so the place to place doesn't apply.
 
kinnem said:
Just curious. Do the Marine Options PT separately?
Click to expand...

Checked with DS. Keep in mind last year was a trial, very few candidates from only a few units. Last year PT was everyone together.

This year could be totally different in many aspects and I wouldn’t encourage anyone to get too concerned about the details. Because they’re at Great Lakes there are more advanced training opportunities (firefighting, PT, Confidence Chamber, gun range etc), compared to what many units have easy access.

As Great Lakes intakes Navy enlisted, I encourage anyone interested to watch YouTube vids on enlisted indoctrination. It’s not Paris Island...(yes, I’m saying that out of respect!)
 
kinnem said:
Mmmidshipman said:
You will do much worse than expected your first day. No sleep, lots of nerves, no time to warm up. You might not even pass the standard. That happened last year to quite a lot of midshipmen. But fear not, you only have to pass it by the end of Indoc (that was the case last year). And after just two weeks I dropped a whole two minutes off my mile and a half time and almost doubled my pushups. Imagine what you’ll be able to do after three weeks of intense PT. Do what’s asked of you and you’ll be in tip top shape by the time it’s over. But do yourself a favor and work out a lot before you get there. It’s embarrassing if they know your name on the first day
Click to expand...
Just curious. Do the Marine Options PT separately?
Click to expand...
No, we all do the exact PT. Females are held to the male standards and Navy are held to the same standards as Marines. The only time PT is different is when you’re taking the PFA
 
5centsmom said:
kinnem said:
Just curious. Do the Marine Options PT separately?
Click to expand...

Checked with DS. Keep in mind last year was a trial, very few candidates from only a few units. Last year PT was everyone together.

This year could be totally different in many aspects and I wouldn’t encourage anyone to get too concerned about the details. Because they’re at Great Lakes there are more advanced training opportunities (firefighting, PT, Confidence Chamber, gun range etc), compared to what many units have easy access.

As Great Lakes intakes Navy enlisted, I encourage anyone interested to watch YouTube vids on enlisted indoctrination. It’s not Paris Island...(yes, I’m saying that out of respect!)
Click to expand...
I got told by some of the Midshipmen Instructors who were Marine Options that it was supposed to imitate and be on caliber with OCS and Plebe Summer. Just through observation, it seemed to me that the PT we were doing was harder than what the enlisted were doing in boot camp
 
Mmmidshipman said:
5centsmom said:
kinnem said:
Just curious. Do the Marine Options PT separately?
Click to expand...

Checked with DS. Keep in mind last year was a trial, very few candidates from only a few units. Last year PT was everyone together.

This year could be totally different in many aspects and I wouldn’t encourage anyone to get too concerned about the details. Because they’re at Great Lakes there are more advanced training opportunities (firefighting, PT, Confidence Chamber, gun range etc), compared to what many units have easy access.

As Great Lakes intakes Navy enlisted, I encourage anyone interested to watch YouTube vids on enlisted indoctrination. It’s not Paris Island...(yes, I’m saying that out of respect!)
Click to expand...
I got told by some of the Midshipmen Instructors who were Marine Options that it was supposed to imitate and be on caliber with OCS and Plebe Summer. Just through observation, it seemed to me that the PT we were doing was harder than what the enlisted were doing in boot camp
Click to expand...

What was the first week like? I have heard from other midshipmen that it was easily the worst week. What are some things that I should know going in?
 
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