NROTC Orientation Week

[jcwrsox1]

I am going to be a Marine option midshipman this fall and I was wondering if anyone has any insight as to what the orientation week is like? Also if anyone has any advice in general on how to best prepare for NROTC, specifically Marine option, please let me know!

Thanks

 

[kinnem]

Each unit runs it differently. Some even run it very differently from year to year. DS stayed in the ROTC building for a week... boys on one side, girls on the other. They were not allowed to speak to each other and further could only speak to staff when spoken to. Lot's of PT. Lot's of leadership training, and basic unit and Navy/Marine knowledge. All the guys got some serious haircuts. The staff said that each person would question whether or not they want to be there. When they finally got to talk to each other (which is really where they bonded as a unit) they also discovered that indeed it was true. 15 people dropped that week.

Other units just do some paperwork and basic Navy knowledge between other freshman orientation activities.

Regardless of how they run it, ts some point early in the semester if not during orientation you will need to pass an official PFT. These are the official tests given to all Navy and Marine personnel and are different for each branch. If you are on scholarship you need to pass this test to contract, and you need to contract before you see any scholarship money. So.... the best way to prepare is to make sure you can pass that PFT.

 

[NavyNOLA]

If you are on scholarship you need to pass this test to contract, and you need to contract before you see any scholarship money. So.... the best way to prepare is to make sure you can pass that PFT.

Incoming scholarship freshmen don't actually sign a service contract until 1 SEP of their sophomore year. Scholarship activation freshman year and receiving tuition benefits are not contingent upon passing the PRT/PFT upon arrival, or even passing it during the first semester. A unit CO CAN elect to not activate a freshman's scholarship if they report outside of height/weight/body fat standards. However, it's quite common for a portion of each reporting freshman class to not be able to meet the minimum standards for the PRT/PFT on day 1. These students will be placed on a remedial PT program until they are able to pass. Their first semester tuition will nearly always be paid.

To the OP's question, new student orientation/indoc really does vary from unit to unit. Most last somewhere between 2-3 days and about a full week. Some take place on campus, while others will be on local military installations/reserve centers. Orientation is NOT boot camp- it is designed to introduce freshmen to military discipline, uniform wear, customs and courtesies, drill, physical training, and certain general military training topics. The purpose of the program is to provide incoming students with some of the basic knowledge they'll need to be successful in their first weeks of the semester. Yes, there will be stress and yelling and busy days, but it's in no way overwhelming. The best thing you can do between now and then is to show up in shape and ready to work hard. Some units, including Tulane, offer a sponsorship program that pairs incoming freshmen with current midshipmen. If your school offers something like that, you can pick your sponsor's brain for more specifics on your unit's orientation.

As a Marine option, the closer you can be to a 300 PFT on day 1, the easier life will be for you. Work on your pull-up form- the MOI/AMOI are going to be much more strict on this than you realize.

 

[USMCGrunt]

OP: Great responses provided. Any NROTC student (but especially Marine Options) should show up in shape and ready to do well on the initial physical fitness test with proper form and high scores. Work out this summer - don't slack off.

Regarding orientation: Every school's different but they will all introduce you to "military discipline, uniform wear, customs and courtesies, drill, physical training, and certain general military training topics" as NavyNOLA notes. They will probably do this in a efficient and expeditious manner that will involve some stress, "encouragement" and individual attention. Often, a senior Marine NCO will lead a lot of this and while you may think it is "boot camp" it most certainly isn't.

Most units post pictures on facebook, websites, etc. Search out your school's site or find others for reference. That can give you an idea of what the experience will be like.

 

[Megan'sMom-Okla]

I also recommend your DS or DD show up in at least khaki slacks (NOT shorts) and some type of plain polo shirt, tucked in, with a belt. I saw one young man reporting to my DD's unit get yelled at and called "cute" when he showed up in shorts...... just sayin'......