NSI Iterations

It was actually a post on the forums somewhere. Can't remember where exactly but think it may have been over in AROTC. Herman will know for sure.
My apologies, I forgot to activate the "tongue in cheek" font for that post. I remember the thread well and got a good chuckle when I saw that reference.
 
I'd agree with CAPT Meyers about attending the unit specific NSO. DS went through before NSI existed, but there was a parents' brief when we dropped DS off for NSO. The unit CO and XO spoke to the parents and gave an overview of what to expect, from NSO and from the next four years in general. Then the midshipman battalion CO spoke to the parents. Both DW and I felt very good about leaving the development of DS in the capable hands of these people. DS had no prior exposure to the military and was very apprehensive about the path her first born had chosen to follow. She was, and still is, nervous for his safety, but she felt much better after the brief. We were also both impressed by the command presence of the midshipman CO. One thing that was eye-opening for her was the amount of humanitarian work that is done by the Navy.
 
My DS got his package into NSI just before the May 2nd deadline. We haven’t heard back about a NSI date. I’m curious are people that are being informed of an iteration date, are they people that had their package in early?
 
My DS got his package into NSI just before the May 2nd deadline. We haven’t heard back about a NSI date. I’m curious are people that are being informed of an iteration date, are they people that had their package in early?
I believe my DS's was postmarked 4/29. Some others that will be at his university have heard, while others have not. I think he was originally told to expect information 5/15, so hopefully everyone will hear soon.
 
I'd agree with CAPT Meyers about attending the unit specific NSO. DS went through before NSI existed, but there was a parents' brief when we dropped DS off for NSO. The unit CO and XO spoke to the parents and gave an overview of what to expect, from NSO and from the next four years in general. Then the midshipman battalion CO spoke to the parents. Both DW and I felt very good about leaving the development of DS in the capable hands of these people. DS had no prior exposure to the military and was very apprehensive about the path her first born had chosen to follow. She was, and still is, nervous for his safety, but she felt much better after the brief. We were also both impressed by the command presence of the midshipman CO. One thing that was eye-opening for her was the amount of humanitarian work that is done by the Navy.
Is this different than the university's new student conference? My DS will be attending Texas A&M and they have a Corps of Cadets "session" at his new student conference. I believe it's a 2 hour session, but I don't think that it is specific to NROTC just the Corps in general.
 
Is this different than the university's new student conference? My DS will be attending Texas A&M and they have a Corps of Cadets "session" at his new student conference. I believe it's a 2 hour session, but I don't think that it is specific to NROTC just the Corps in general.
I can't speak to Texas A&M, or any other SMC for that matter. It seems that for most universities that have ROTC units, each unit will have their own New Student Orientation (NSO) prior to classes starting. These seem to vary from about 3-5 days long. From what I've seen on here, most SMCs will have a longer NSO period, more in line with NSI or a service academy indoctrination program. If I were to hazard a guess about what you are describing, I'd guess this session you are describing would be similar to what I was talking about.
 
I am attending NSI session 1, but this is due to the fact that I have to take two summer courses at Penn State.
My DS got his package into NSI just before the May 2nd deadline. We haven’t heard back about a NSI date. I’m curious are people that are being informed of an iteration date, are they people that had their package in early?
I got my file in on May 2nd. Got an email stating "Your NSI package has been marked as complete. There are no further items we need. You are assigned to NSI 1 10-27 June." I already knew that I would have first session, due to requiring two summer classes.
 
I can't speak to Texas A&M, or any other SMC for that matter. It seems that for most universities that have ROTC units, each unit will have their own New Student Orientation (NSO) prior to classes starting. These seem to vary from about 3-5 days long. From what I've seen on here, most SMCs will have a longer NSO period, more in line with NSI or a service academy indoctrination program. If I were to hazard a guess about what you are describing, I'd guess this session you are describing would be similar to what I was talking about.
Oh, I bet this is equivalent to their FOW "freshman orientation week", mandatory for the new cadets in the corps!
 
I am pretty good friends with the TAMU PNS and mentioned to him there were questions about what all was involved in the New Student Conference. He asked if the welcome aboard letters had been reviewed since those have points of contact.

But just in case, here's a link to the welcome letter. I believe the new student conference is comprehensive and includes NROTC as well as the Corps requirements.

 
I am pretty good friends with the TAMU PNS and mentioned to him there were questions about what all was involved in the New Student Conference. He asked if the welcome aboard letters had been reviewed since those have points of contact.

But just in case, here's a link to the welcome letter. I believe the new student conference is comprehensive and includes NROTC as well as the Corps requirements.

I'll have to check with my DS to see if he received that. He's been forwarding most things like this to keep me in the loop and I haven't see that one at all. If it was via snail mail, it was not received yet.
 
I am pretty good friends with the TAMU PNS and mentioned to him there were questions about what all was involved in the New Student Conference. He asked if the welcome aboard letters had been reviewed since those have points of contact.

But just in case, here's a link to the welcome letter. I believe the new student conference is comprehensive and includes NROTC as well as the Corps requirements.

Mystery solved...this is linked on a page that cadets see after their corps outfit selection. My DS saw the link and we briefly discussed that he would look at it this weekend. He's in the midst of AP tests, finals, banquets, etc. and wanted to be able to focus his full attention on this page, forms to fill out, etc. Thank you for alerting us to this. We've found the tamu NROTC liaison (I'm sure that's not the correct title) to be very helpful and responsive when my DS has emailed.

We're not only first time NROTC, but first time aggies/corps so the flood of info has been a little overwhelming. My daughter is a "regular" college student and silly me, I thought the process with my DS would be easier, as we had been through it before. Oh, yeah...throw in the USNA, NROTC, AROTC applications, DodMERB, etc. etc. etc. We're definitely getting a whole different experience! Very grateful for finding this forum and connecting with other NROTC moms/students!
 
Just so folks know, the official list of names for Iteration 1 for NSI has been released. People should reach out to their NROTC unit and ask if they are on the list. The NROTC unit will assist with travel arrangements.

One note on this, there was a discussion earlier that NSI would only be for scholarship selectees. But, there is room enough to fit in some College Programmers. My quick count shows 39 people on the list.

The specific listing is in each unit's message traffic with the subject line of:
OFF MAIL MSG #065-22 NEW STUDENT INDOCTRINATION (NSI) MIDSHIPMEN CANDIDATE INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
 
My son is concerned he has not received a reply from NSI group. His package was received 4/29. According to his tracking number. He has received no communication from the Navy.
 
My son is concerned he has not received a reply from NSI group. His package was received 4/29. According to his tracking number. He has received no communication from the Navy.
Has he reached out to his unit?
 
He emailed them this morning 5/13. Has not gotten a response as of yet.
 
Does anyone know when a decision will be made about whether family can attend graduation? My DS is attending the first iteration and I would want to make my travel plans soon if we can attend in-person.
 
Does anyone know when a decision will be made about whether family can attend graduation? My DS is attending the first iteration and I would want to make my travel plans soon if we can attend in-person.
A quick recommendation encore here from other posts, is to skip attending NSI's graduation ceremony unless you are already going there to pick up your DD or DS. As seen here the ceremony is barely a blip on the radar of this 4 year training journey: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/805015/nsi-2021-cycle-1-graduation. If already going then no need to arrange logistics - you'll go there for pickup, and either get in to the ceremony or you won't.
FYI, graduations are often about 20 minutes, and can be seen in their entirety online, and then after a few hellos to other company grads from their friend/ hs/ college social groups, many leave with family or are whisked to the airport to catch their flights home. Also rules may change fluidly if COVID exposure etc. so I wouldn't count on being able to go onto the base.

Related to attending, recently families/ friends that were going to the graduation at Great Lakes, were held up in a queue to get through security at the gate, and missed a great deal of the ceremony - imagine traveling 700-1500 miles for a 20 min. ceremony and missing most or all of it. So go hours early if you can to avoid that outcome, confirm what ID you'll need, etc.

I believe others recommended attending the NSO parent welcome and college new student family activities at the college where applicable. I like that idea - We were also able to go to dinner with DS and his roommate's family which was nice and take a few of his fellow mids out for a meal one night, which was fun.
And, like many college dropoffs, we overall were there but not needed as DS went off with his new flock, which in an odd way was comforting.

Good luck to all who are attending NSI and thank you for your willingness to serve.
 
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A quick recommendation encore here from other posts, is to skip attending NSI's graduation ceremony unless you are already going there to pick up your DD or DS. As seen here the ceremony is barely a blip on the radar of this 4 year training journey: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/805015/nsi-2021-cycle-1-graduation. If already going then no need to arrange logistics - you'll go there for pickup, and either get in to the ceremony or you won't.
FYI, graduations are often about 20 minutes, and can be seen in their entirety online, and then after a few hellos to other company grads from their friend/ hs/ college social groups, many leave with family or are whisked to the airport to catch their flights home. Also rules may change fluidly if COVID exposure etc. so I wouldn't count on being able to go onto the base.

Related to attending, recently families/ friends that were going to the graduation at Great Lakes, were held up in a queue to get through security at the gate, and missed a great deal of the ceremony - imagine traveling 700-1500 miles for a 20 min. ceremony and missing most or all of it. So go hours early if you can to avoid that outcome, confirm what ID you'll need, etc.

I believe others recommended attending the NSO parent welcome and college new student family activities at the college where applicable. I like that idea - We were also able to go to dinner with DS and his roommate's family which was nice and take a few of his fellow mids out for a meal one night, which was fun.
And, like many college dropoffs, we overall were there but not needed as DS went off with his new flock, which in an odd way was comforting.

Good luck to all who are attending NSI and thank you for your willingness to serve.
Thank you for posting this. Very helpful.
 
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