Post NSI Musings

hannahru06

hannahru06

NROTC '28
Joined
Jan 29, 2024
Messages
24
Well, I'm back from NSI Cycle 3, officially as a MIDN 4/c !!! I'm getting ready for my NSO at RPI in a couple weeks.

NSI was one of the most challenging experiences that I have gone through, but am glad that I was surrounded by likeminded people, and we all "embraced the suck" together. About 10 candidates in my division DORed. One of my favorite evolutions was the confidence chamber as well as the firefighting.

A question I had was, what is there to look forward to past NSI ?(I know CORTRAMID)

@PlebeNoMore27 , your advice really helped me push through the bad times, as well as @Capt MJ's advice.
 
BZ @hannahru06! First you have to get through your first year but I just finished PROTRAMID, which is the same as CORTRAMID. (IDK why they have to have a different nickname for it based on which pool the mids come from. Welcome to the Navy I guess) It was a blast. I learned so much about the Fleet, Marines, surface, aviation, so on. Didn't get a sub cruise, but I'm interested in subs so I hope to get on a boat next summer.

IDK what life as a college programmer is like, especially someplace as tough academically as RPI. Don't get behind in academics! Even here at USNA that is THE main reason we are here (military+leadership training a close second). Get help even before you struggle. Don't be afraid to go to office hours. Crush your first semester courses, make some friends, dig into your NROTC training, listen a lot and learn a ton, volunteer for squad or platoon or unit duties. Have fun too!
 
hannahru06 said:
Well, I'm back from NSI Cycle 3, officially as a MIDN 4/c !!! I'm getting ready for my NSO at RPI in a couple weeks.

NSI was one of the most challenging experiences that I have gone through, but am glad that I was surrounded by likeminded people, and we all "embraced the suck" together. About 10 candidates in my division DORed. One of my favorite evolutions was the confidence chamber as well as the firefighting.

A question I had was, what is there to look forward to past NSI ?(I know CORTRAMID)

@PlebeNoMore27 , your advice really helped me push through the bad times, as well as @Capt MJ's advice.
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Hello Hannahru06,

Now that is a loaded question! What is there to look forward to past NSI? Pretty much everything possible! You have earned a license to learn, start today. I met my best friends, my hardest challenges, my significant other all after my NSI class. I can't guarantee you will, but chances are you will become who you are meant to be after all of this. Keep the press on and learn as much as you can now. Leading will be fun, but will be loaded with learning points that can be tough. I look back on it all and wish I could do it all again. You and my son are just starting out on your ROTC journey's. Have fun with it, just remember you have a goal at the end of the process. To lead sailors. That is something to look forward to!
 
DS about to be a sophomore. Based on his teporting for the next year:

-NSO is a lighter version of NSI.

-Unit PT is more intense than NSI (this refers to formal PT, not corrective training when you got smoked at NSI)

-Extra time commitments to both support the unit and comply with mandatory study requirements for all freshmen (and upperclassmen who don't meet academic standards).

-Color guards/appearances at your schools sporting events. Which is cool but a time commitment.

-Occasional weekend exercises which involve MREs, paintball, and flying in Blackhawks
And they got to helocast where they jumped out of a helo into a body of water and had to swim to shore.

-COTRAMID was a blast.

-Most important, he loves his unit and everyone in it without exception. His cadre, skipper, XO, MOI, AMOI, the seniors, upperclassmen, the MCEPS (Marine NCOs in the commisioning program), his peers, and those he's met along the way. Loves the stern ones, too, even when they "constructively correct" him. Part of embracing the suck and growing.

Everyone wants you to succeed and if you are a team player and put in the work, you will have a most rewarding experience.

Oh, and lots and lots of generic briefings called mandatory training. The military has an insatiable appetite for these.
 
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