What are the general requirements to join the NROTC program?

• All participants must either have: U.S. Citizenship, be a Naturalized U.S. Citizen, or be in the process of becoming a Naturalized U.S. Citizen.
• Be no less than 17 years old and not yet 23 by 1 September of the year starting college.
• Must not have reached your 27th birthday upon graduation and commissioning. (Applicants with prior military service may be eligible for age adjustments for amount of time equal to prior service, on a month-by-month basis, for a maximum of 36-months, if they will not reach their 29th birthday upon commissioning.)
• Must not have a criminal record of military or civilian offenses, and have any pending, or federal convictions.
• High school graduation or equivalency certificate by 1 August of the year of entrance into the four-year Navy ROTC Scholarship program.
• Must not have any moral obligations or personal convictions that prevent conscientious bearing of arms and supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, or taking an oath to perform such acts.
• Be medically qualified by Navy or Marine Corps standards
• No body piercings or tattoos that violate Navy or Marine Corps policy.
• Must be within Navy or Marine Corps height and weight standards at the time you report.

I am interested in commissioning as a Marine Corps officer. Do the above requirements also apply to me?

Yes. The above requirements still apply, in addition to the following:

• HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: High school students who have completed less than 30 college credits can submit for the Four-Year National scholarship, prior to graduating from High School
• CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENTS: Students enrolled as a freshman in a Four-Year University or College are not eligible for the Four-Year National scholarship. It is recommended these students contact the Professor of Naval Science to discuss other scholarship opportunities.

Where do I apply for the scholarship? 

https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Apply/

Do I have to be on scholarship to participate in the Naval ROTC and earn a commission?

No. We have a College Program available for participants not on scholarship. Please email our Recruiting Officer at nrotc@navsci.ucla.edu for more information.

Will I be able to participate in a study abroad program?

Yes. Midshipmen have historically enjoyed study abroad programs in countries around the world.

Will study abroad affect my ability to get a security clearance in the future? 

No.

Do I have to have a specific major to join the NROTC?

No.  All available majors at UCLA are allowable. Midshipmen are encouraged to pursue some form of technical (or STEM) major, but this is not a requirement. Non-STEM majors will be required to successfully complete calculus and physics to adequately prepare you for the technical environment you will encounter during your military service. These technical courses generally count toward degree requirements as all majors require some math and science coursework.

Am I allowed to change my major once I am in the NROTC program?

It depends. If you desire to attempt a more technical major or move laterally, then you will be able to change majors without issue. Examples of this include changes such as Physics to Mechanical Engineering (moving up) or Electrical Engineering to Mechanical Engineering (lateral change).

A few students each year will be allowed to change majors to a less technical major. Selection boards are held twice a year to determine which students will be approved for a change of major to a less technical degree.

What if I am not approved to change my major? 

Midshipmen interested in changing their major to one that is not approved by NSTC will have the option to remain on scholarship in their assigned major, or to proceed with the change in major and transfer to college program status (forgo scholarship).

Are there any NROTC specific courses I will have to take in addition to those required by my major? 

Yes. Midshipmen take on average, two Naval Science courses per year (plus the one credit-hour Naval Leadership Lab each quarter). All Midshipmen must complete Introduction to Naval Science during the fall quarter of their Freshman year, and one course in American Military History/National Security Policy.  Additionally, Navy option students must complete two courses in English Composition and two quarters of calculus and calculus-based physics each.

What type of academic support does the NROTC unit provide?

Students are directed to utilize available tutoring services provided by the school in calculus and physics. All incoming Freshman and any other student academically struggling are also required to participate in weekly study hours. Each Midshipmen is assigned to a class adviser who is available to provide advice about school and NROTC while keeping the big picture in mind. The adviser will provide guidance to ensure Midshipmen are progressing in their majors and NROTC requirements.

Who teaches the Naval Science courses?

The NROTC staff is composed of active duty Navy and Marine Corps officers as well as enlisted personnel. Naval Sciences courses are taught by the staff officers – the same officers that will double as your NROTC class advisers, providing guidance and assistance as necessary in your academic and military pursuits.

Do NROTC Midshipmen wear uniforms to classes every day like they do at the Naval Academy?

Not every day. Midshipmen are required to wear the designated uniform on Tuesdays for classes and Naval Science Lab.

Are NROTC Midshipmen housed together on campus?

Not necessarily. Each student is responsible for making their own arrangements with the University for housing. Students may live in University housing, fraternity or sorority houses, or any other off-campus housing of their choice.

How much of my time will be tied up with extra NROTC activities?

Your participation in activities outside those that are deemed mandatory are up to you.  All Naval Science courses meet four hours per week and often times serve as your electives. At minimum, you will be required to attend the two-hour leadership lab every Tuesday morning, one-hour physical fitness trainings on Mondays and Wednesdays in the morning, one-hour drill practice on Thursday mornings, and you may be asked to devote approximately two nights per month in additional required events.

How do I apply the NROTC scholarship to my financial aid profile?

If you have not done so already, follow the instructions you received from NSTC to accept your scholarship offer. If UCLA was listed as your assigned unit, there is nothing more for you to do other than submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) at UCLA – we take care of the rest!

I can’t find the email from NSTC with my scholarship offer. What now?

If you cannot find the email with your scholarship offer, you can do one of two things:

1. Access your NETFOCUS account at https://netfocus.netc.navy.mil/nrotc/candidate_app/status_scholarship.aspx,
   OR
   Visit  the NROTC Homepage at www.nrotc.navy.mil and select  “Check Status of Application” at the bottom of the page.
2. Enter the required information and verify scholarship year 2022 is selected before clicking the “Check Status” button. 
3. Select the appropriate field for accepting the scholarship.

What if my NROTC scholarship was assigned to a different university?

That’s okay! Many students request changes once they receive their college admission letters. The procedure is included in the “NROTC PLACEMENT” email you should have received from the NROTC Placement Office (gregory.lewis3@navy.mil). All you need to do is follow the NSTC instructions to accept the scholarship – email the following to  to PNSC_NROTC.Placement@navy.mil:

1.  Placement Change Request Form
2. A copy of your UCLA admission letter

When is the latest I can shift my NROTC scholarship to UCLA?

Ideally your placement change request would be submitted by 17 April to make it clear which NROTC unit will be responsible for the paperwork to get you to and from New Student Indoctrination (NSI). If you submit your request after this date, your originally assigned NROTC unit will still be responsible for your NSI paperwork even though you would join a different unit in the fall.

15 May is the scholarship acceptance deadline. It is recommended you submit your placement change request as soon as you make your final school commitment. However, it is our experience that the point of no return is when you report to a school and activate your scholarship just prior to the start of the fall term. After this happens, you can still request to change schools, but the process becomes a lot more complicated.

When am I obligated to the Navy/Marine Corps if I accept my NROTC scholarship?

Midshipmen on scholarship will incur either an active enlisted service or a reimbursement obligation if you withdraw or are disenrolled from the Naval ROTC program after your Obligation Point, defined as follows:

• If activating your scholarship (signing the contract) as a first year, incoming Freshman, the Obligation Point is 1 September of your Sophomore (or second academic) year of college.
• If activating your scholarship  (signing the contract) as any status other than a first year, incoming Freshman, the Obligation Point is the date the scholarship is activated.

How are tuition payments and book purchases handled for scholarship students?

The NROTC unit will pay your tuition and fees directly to the University. Incoming freshmen are required to pay a deposit before school starts. You must pay these deposits. Since the Navy will pay the tuition bill, your initial deposit may then be applied to your housing bill. The Navy will also provide a basic book stipend of $375, independent of the amount you actually spend on books.

What happens after graduation?

Midshipmen who complete all academic requirements in the Naval ROTC program are commissioned as Ensigns in the Navy or Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Midshipmen without scholarships may also receive a commission through the College Program.

What do I owe the Navy or Marine Corps after graduation?

Navy option Midshipmen will be required to serve a minimum of five years of active military service. Additional requirements may be required for specific job assignments.

Marine Corps option Midshipmen will be required to serve at least four years on active duty.

What kind of military duties should I expect after graduation?

Most students will graduate as “unrestricted line officers.” That means that these individuals will be expected to go on to further training in aviation, submarines, or conventional or nuclear powered surface ships. Those who choose (and are accepted for) the Marine Corps can go into aviation or a variety of ground officer assignments.

Do scholarship and non-scholarship students receive identical assignments after graduation?

Yes. Assignments are made based on the student’s choices, qualifications, performance, and needs of the Navy. Scholarship status is not a factor in the assignment process.

Would I get my choice of duty after graduation?

Most likely.  At the beginning of senior year, students submit their duty preferences, and in most cases get their first choice of designator. Each designator has prerequisites, such as being physically qualified for aviation, having adequate grades for nuclear powered ships and submarines, etc. The stronger your performance is in NROTC, the more likely you will be assigned your first choice of designator.

What is a “designator?”

This is what the Navy calls an officer’s occupation. All unrestricted line designators are open to NROTC graduates. These choices include: Naval Aviator (Pilot), Naval Flight Officer (NFO), Surface Warfare Officer, Surface Warfare Officer (Nuclear Option), and Submarine Officer.

Do NROTC graduates have the same opportunities as graduates of the Naval Academy when it comes time for duty assignments?

Yes. Graduates of the Naval ROTC and Naval Academy have identical opportunities to go into the fields of their choice. When it comes time to state your duty preferences and to be selected for duty assignments, graduates with higher academic and aptitude rankings, regardless of where you  go to school will be most likely to receive first choice of assignments.

How do I accept my admission offer to UCLA?

Great question! To accept your admissions offer, you need to submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). You can do this by going to the Undergraduate Admissions webpage for Admitted Students at http://www.admission.ucla.edu/NewBruins/NSG_Freshmen.htm for more information. The last day to accept your admission offer is 1 May.

For MECEP and OC students coming in as Transfer Admits, please visit https://admission.ucla.edu/admitted-students/transfers-accept-your-offer for information on accepting your offer of admission.

UCLA was my first-choice but I got waitlisted. The University reviews waitlisted students on a rolling basis after the NROTC scholarship transfer deadline. Is it still possible for me to move my scholarship to UCLA if I find out I get accepted?

Yes! The good news is that you can submit a school change request as soon as you have an acceptance letter to UCLA. You will likely go to New Student Indoctrination (NSI) as another University’s MIDN, but the change can be made after NSI and before you report to UCLA.