NSI Graduation Questions

[Ihavenoidea]

If anyone knows, how many kids quit during NSI on average and does that mean their scholarship never activate?

I don't think they really release the numbers. DS did NSI about 3 years ago and he knew about 10-15 people that quite over 1 or 2 companies. This is subjective data though since it was just the ones he knew about and there could have been more or just those candidates. If I'd had to bet on it, I would say no more than 8%.

If you don't complete NSI, then you don't get scholarship activiated.

 

[MMM3]

I don't think they really release the numbers. DS did NSI about 3 years ago and he knew about 10-15 people that quite over 1 or 2 companies. This is subjective data though since it was just the ones he knew about and there could have been more or just those candidates. If I'd had to bet on it, I would say no more than 8%.

If you don't complete NSI, then you don't get scholarship activiated.

My DD completed NSI in 2023 and knew a number of kids that quit. She is there now as an instructor and mentioned kids quit the 1st and 2nd day. It make me curious about the average number that quit and impressed with the kids who stick it out and can withstand the yelling and all the stress involved!

 

[Ihavenoidea]

My DD completed NSI in 2023 and knew a number of kids that quit. She is there now as an instructor and mentioned kids quit the 1st and 2nd day. It make me curious about the average number that quit and impressed with the kids who stick it out and can withstand the yelling and all the stress involved!

I always figured that the ones that quit at NSI really were going for the $$ and didn't realize, likely lack of research, that they are going into a military lifestye, system, etc. Basically had the "This is not for me!" moment pretty quickly.

 

[Blueskies29]

Curious - if our kiddo is flying home after graduation, but we decide to drive instead of fly to the ceremony, is it possible to have DS go with us once they are shuttled to the airport? Do parents contact their unit or NSI staff regarding this?

Update: Disregard, I found the POC for travel to and from.

 

[OldRetSWO]

It’s the commissary. You can get all kinds of Navy stuff like shirts, hats, bumper stickers, you name it!

Actually NEX and Commissary are VERY different. NEX is the Navy Exchange which is basically a kind of Department Store.
Commissary is a supermarket. They have significantly different rules for access/shopping/buying because their funding schemes
are very different. Basically, the Commissary is government supported while the NEX is self funded and profits go to Morale,
Welfare and Recreation programs for the military. Commissary essentially takes no profit and only small fee to operate itself.
.
Bottom Line - if you're looking for Sweatshirts, hats, etc then you go to the NEX.

 

[FutureNavyNurseMom]

I spent my fair share of dollars on sweatshirts. T-shirts, hats. Etc at the NEX at NSI graduation last year

 

[kinnem]

I always figured that the ones that quit at NSI really were going for the $$ and didn't realize, likely lack of research, that they are going into a military lifestye, system, etc. Basically had the "This is not for me!" moment pretty quickly.

Which I think is part of the objective of NSI. I know it was expected as part of the orientations given by many college units in the pre-NSI days. They want you to succeed but you have to have your heart in it to do so.

 

[Ihavenoidea]

Which I think is part of the objective of NSI. I know it was expected as part of the orientations given by many college units in the pre-NSI days. They want you to succeed but you have to have your heart in it to do so.

I agree it was a big reason. Much cheaper to get a not commited candidate to quit at NSI then to pay for the 1st year of college. There are still Mids that quite Freshman year, but I would bet the percentages that leave Freshman year have dropped since NSI became required.

I also think "standardizing" what is taught at NSI to the candidates is also a big factor. NSO was fine and worked for a long time, but NSI can do alot more with more of the Corp than NSO could. The bootcamp like "kick in the ass" that NSI provides is pretty useful in the long term.

 

[MMM3]

I agree it was a big reason. Much cheaper to get a not commited candidate to quit at NSI then to pay for the 1st year of college. There are still Mids that quite Freshman year, but I would bet the percentages that leave Freshman year have dropped since NSI became required.

I also think "standardizing" what is taught at NSI to the candidates is also a big factor. NSO was fine and worked for a long time, but NSI can do alot more with more of the Corp than NSO could. The bootcamp like "kick in the ass" that NSI provides is pretty useful in the long term.

Update from DD, she said they go through 8 interviews (up the chain I assume before being allowed to quit). She also mentioned when she attended the Marine Gunnery Sargents didn’t arrive until a few days in so you were slowly acclimated to 2Cs yelling at them plus some other acronym I didn’t understand- this year she said the marines were their day 1 when the kids got off the bus!

 

[Grimace]

Son got G Shock sports watch for NROTC this fall but wondering if he can take to NSI. Not on packing list so thinking that is a no but wanted to ask

 

[Ivy22]

Son got G Shock sports watch for NROTC this fall but wondering if he can take to NSI. Not on packing list so thinking that is a no but wanted to ask

Not sure the rules for NSI, but sometimes at the basic training places, watches are specifically prohibited because not knowing what time of day it is will be part of the “fun”.

If it’s not on the packing list, it likely isn’t allowed, they make you dump your stuff out to check for contraband.

 

[Grimace]

Not sure the rules for NSI, but sometimes at the basic training places, watches are specifically prohibited because not knowing what time of day it is will be part of the “fun”.

If it’s not on the packing list, it likely isn’t allowed, they make you dump your stuff out to check for contraband.

What I thought, got it!

 

[Herman_Snerd]

My DD completed NSI in 2023 and knew a number of kids that quit. She is there now as an instructor and mentioned kids quit the 1st and 2nd day. It make me curious about the average number that quit and impressed with the kids who stick it out and can withstand the yelling and all the stress involved!

If you search “Navy ROTC Graduation Day on June 24, 2024 - Midshipman Ceremony” on youtube and the DOD site - https://www.dvidshub.net/ you may see ceremonies from prior NSI Graduation ceremonies – they are typically brief, and since 2019 follow a similar format. Often, they will cover how many candidates started the rotation in the 3 companies, and how many are finishing. I don't recall a ceremony in which at-least a few candidates did not finish NSI.
My observation is that during the first NSIs there was an attrition rate of a few percent from those who DOR’d / rang the bell, and the number also included some with mechanical injuries who were unable to finish NSI, but were moving forward to be a part of NSO and NROTC at their host units in the late summer/ fall. Rough example 445 started, 408 are finishing. It varies, but I think less are dropping in recent years, though I'm sure "it depends".
One group that was DORing a lot in the beginning was NJROTC all-stars, who I think came in overconfident and underprepared. I had a few years ago a number of conversations with their then-centralized leadership, and implored them to shore up the gaps – very selfishly, I genuinely want the best standing shoulder to shoulder with my DS, cousin and others when they commission and serve, and I felt it was so unfortunate that this was happening. It was lose-lose. I think the then and current leadership, now under former aviator and NROTC alum Bruce Nolan has done an outstanding job to shore this expectations and preparation, so seeing less DORs from that NJROTC in recent years. I also know that some of the intensity from instructors from the first NSIs has been notched down a bit, which may also be contributing to less attrition. It was, um, not gentle for a while.
Overall, NSI is a great program and I think a win-win to gut-check the reality of ensuring those in this program are willing to “do the needful” and commit to a beyond normal boundary leadership role. It’s OK that people try it and learn it’s not for them – better now than later IMO.Hope that helps.

 

[USMC Crayons]

Update from DD, she said they go through 8 interviews (up the chain I assume before being allowed to quit). She also mentioned when she attended the Marine Gunnery Sargents didn’t arrive until a few days in so you were slowly acclimated to 2Cs yelling at them plus some other acronym I didn’t understand- this year she said the marines were their day 1 when the kids got off the bus!

From looking at the pics, I can already see that some have been pulled aside and "introduced" to the Marines. Must be a rude awakening for some, not even off the bus an hour yet, and you are already on the quarterdeck.