ELIGIBILITY  REQUIREMENTS There  are  currently  two  major  NROTC programs. The first is the Scholarship Program, with  8,000  authorized  scholarships.  It  provides  for tuition, books, instructional fees, and a $100-per- month  subsistence  allowance  during  the  academic year  for  a  maximum  of  40  academic  months. Scholarship  students  incur  a  service  obligation at  the  end  of  their  sophomore  year.  Students incur  a  4-year  active-duty  obligation  upon commissioning. The   second   program   is   called   the   College Program.   Although   this   program   has   no enrollment limit, it averages between 2,000 and 3,000  students  annually.  The  program  pays  a $100-per-month  subsistence  allowance  during  the junior and senior year of college. Students must serve 3 years of active duty upon commissioning. Applicants for both programs must meet the following  eligibility  requirements: • • • • • • Be  a  U.S.  citizen Be  accepted  for  admission  as  a  civilian student  to  one  of  the  NROTC  participating colleges  or  universities Be at least 17 years of age, but have not reached  27  1/2  by  30  June  of  the  year  of college  graduation Be physically qualified in accordance with Navy standards Be  of  good  moral  character Have minimum SAT scores of 450 (verbal) and  500  (math);  have  ACT  scores  of  19 (English)  and  23  (math) NROTC   ORGANIZATION The  NROTC  organization  of  a  college  or university is centered in a Department of Naval Science. A Navy captain or Marine Corps colonel with  the  title  of  Professor  of  Naval  Science normally  heads  the  NROTC  organization.  The instructors, Navy and Marine Corps officers, hold academic  ranks  as  assistant  professors.  The officers  selected  for  this  important  duty  must possess   academic   ability   and   have   diversified duty experience. Their experience adds to the store of  academic  knowledge  that  they  impart  to  the midshipmen.   It   also   provides   a   realistic framework  from  which  they  can  instill  in  their students a highly motivated interest in the naval service. Normally,  the  Navy  instructors  teach  eight naval  professional  courses  and  provide  weekly laboratory  periods  for  practical  work  in  these courses. In early fall and late spring, instructors use  this  lab  time  for  close-order  drill. Future  Marine  Corps  officers  make  their choice  between  the  Navy  or  the  Marine  Corps during the first 2 years. For the last 2 years, their program of instruction and training differs from that  given  prospective  Navy  officers. NROTC scholarship students may select, with the  approval  of  academic  authorities,  a  field  of study leading to a baccalaureate degree, subject to  certain  limitations.  Exempted  as  majors,  for example,  are  studies  in  such  academic  fields  as music,  theology,  and  others  deemed  of  limited value  to  naval  officers. The  Navy  requires  that  midshipmen  acquire a background in physics and mathematics and a general  proficiency  in  written  and  oral  expression. Students are encouraged to participate in any of the  school’s  extracurricular  activities  as  long  as they do not conflict with Navy classes and drills. NROTC  midshipmen  have  about  the  same summer  cruise  obligations  as  their  contemporaries from  the  Naval  Academy. OFFICER  CANDIDATE  SCHOOL Officer Candidate School (OCS) was founded in  1951  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  in  response to an increased demand for naval officers during the  Korean  conflict.  OCS  continues  today  as  a major  source  of  recruitment  of  male  and  female officers  for  the  United  States  Navy.  It  provides college  graduates  from  the  civilian  and  Navy enlisted communities an opportunity for a naval commission. “Leadership  is  our  most  important  product” stands  as  the  motto  of  OCS,  The  school  places officer  candidates  in  positions  of  responsibility and  closely  evaluates  their  leadership  potential  in addition   to   academics.   The   pace   of   OCS   is strenuous  and  demanding.  In  16  weeks,  officer candidates must complete a highly concentrated course in the fundamentals of naval science. Naval science   subjects   studied   include   seamanship, navigation,   naval   engineering,   naval   warfare, military   justice,   and   principles   of   leadership. Additionally,  students  weekly  participate  in  6 hours  of  physical  training  activities. 10-9