Questions about NSI 2021 & University of San Diego NROTC Unit

[mrsmc0512]

Hello, Everyone, our son is an NROTC Scholarship recipient and will attend NSI this Summer. He will be a Freshman at University of San Diego in the Fall. I have a few questions and thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge!

At NSI, we’re told it will be 4 weeks. I’ve been through Army basic training with no preparation at age 25! (Female, 8 weeks, 20 years ago!) Is NSI similar to Basic Training? Are there many kids that fail at any part of it? And if you fail a course (I.e, Weapons training) are you “recycled” or do you fail NSI altogether? Our son has been preparing for the physical fitness side of it. He’s even lost close to fifty pounds to get fit.

At NSI, is there any communication (phone calls, letters, email) that are allowed to/from family?

Regarding the University of San Diego NROTC Unit, we haven’t found any precise information about the NROTC program there. Grateful for any answers/insight/experiences you can share.

Thanks so much!

 

[kinnem]

It is not at all like Basic, although elements will look like Basic. I don't believe anyone can fail in the way you mean it. Some will drop on their request. Anyone who takes a "swing" at another may be dropped. As long as you work hard and keep you're nose clean, you're fine. There is no recycling.

NSI offers an introduction to the Navy, customs and courtesies, physical fitness, teamwork, etc. There will typically be some stress involved.

 

[smith011]

I don't have much additional information on NSI but I'm also an upcoming 4yr NROTC recipient going to USD so if you could PM their contact info that would be great to make that connection

 

[mrsmc0512]

It is not at all like Basic, although elements will look like Basic. I don't believe anyone can fail in the way you mean it. Some will drop on their request. Anyone who takes a "swing" at another may be dropped. As long as you work hard and keep you're nose clean, you're fine. There is no recycling.

NSI offers an introduction to the Navy, customs and courtesies, physical fitness, teamwork, etc. There will typically be some stress involved.

Many thanks, Kinnem! I love reading your posts and genuinely appreciate your quick reply!

 

[mrsmc0512]

I don't have much additional information on NSI but I'm also an upcoming 4yr NROTC recipient going to USD so if you could PM their contact info that would be great to make that connection

Thanks so much, Smith011. Congratulations on your scholarship and USD!

 

[fullspeedahead]

I went to NSI and will be an instructor this summer. It is nothing that you cannot handle, although it will seem like a completely different world than you are used to at home. Make friends, take it meal by meal, and don’t give up the ship. You will be quite all right if you follow those steps.

 

[mrsmc0512]

I went to NSI and will be an instructor this summer. It is nothing that you cannot handle, although it will seem like a completely different world than you are used to at home. Make friends, take it meal by meal, and don’t give up the ship. You will be quite all right if you follow those steps.

Many thanks, Fullspeedahead!

 

[fullspeedahead]

Also, I just realized that I never really fully answered your original question. There are certainly people who fail certain parts of NSI, but you would receive extra instruction instead of being washed out. You get two "phone calls home" and I put it in quotes because one of them is thirty seconds long and the other is when you get your phone back. Your DS is helping himself out by getting physically fit, I would say that was an area where several people lacked. Listen to the Drill Instructors and Recruit Division Commanders (RDCs) because they will play a crucial role in your development and have gone through this process many a time. When training gets more "relaxed" ask the midshipmen instructors about their experience and learn something from them. Hopefully your son will run into some instructors from San Diego! It was great for me to speak to the instructors who were from my unit because I felt as if I learned a lot about the culture of my unit before the training was over.

 

[mrsmc0512]

Also, I just realized that I never really fully answered your original question. There are certainly people who fail certain parts of NSI, but you would receive extra instruction instead of being washed out. You get two "phone calls home" and I put it in quotes because one of them is thirty seconds long and the other is when you get your phone back. Your DS is helping himself out by getting physically fit, I would say that was an area where several people lacked. Listen to the Drill Instructors and Recruit Division Commanders (RDCs) because they will play a crucial role in your development and have gone through this process many a time. When training gets more "relaxed" ask the midshipmen instructors about their experience and learn something from them. Hopefully your son will run into some instructors from San Diego! It was great for me to speak to the instructors who were from my unit because I felt as if I learned a lot about the culture of my unit before the training was over.

What an awesome answer. Thank you again!