OSU NROTC – Requirements

Prospective Students

Ready to enroll? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Both college programmer and scholarship students must attend New Student Indoctrination (NSI) at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes in order to commission. As a member of the NROTC Company, one must be enrolled in classes full-time at OSU’s Main Campus (at least 12-non NROTC credit hours per semester). In addition to taking university classes, a Midshipman will also take Naval Science classes. There is one Naval Science class offered each semester, freshman through senior year. These classes give you an introduction to the United States Naval Service, its history and traditions, its warfare communities and platforms, navigation and rules of the road, military law, leadership, and ethics.

In addition to university and Naval Science classes, a Midshipman will participate in a weekly drill period where they apply the skills they learn in the classroom. The drill periods are organized and run by Company upperclassmen. During these drill sessions, Midshipmen learn close order drill, attend briefings about the various warfare communities that make up the Naval Services, listen to fleet officers talk about their experiences, and discuss current events.

Students may participate in university activities from professional to social organizations, varsity and club athletics, fraternities, sororities, and more.

NROTC Program Entrance Requirements❯×

U.S. Citizenship, a Naturalized U.S. Citizen or in process of becoming a Naturalized U.S. Citizen Note: If selected, must be a U.S. Citizen in order to activate the scholarship.
Not less than 17 years old by Sept. 1 of year starting college and no more than 23 on December 31 of that year.
Must not have reached 27th birthday by December 31 of year in which graduation and commissioning are anticipated
Applicants with prior military service may be eligible for age adjustments for amount of time equal to their prior service, on month-by-month basis, for maximum of 36 months, if they will not reach 30th birthday by December 31 of year graduation and commissioning are anticipated
High school graduation or equivalency certificate by August 1 of year of entrance into four-year NROTC Scholarship program
No 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 to taking an oath to perform such acts.
Medically qualified by Navy or Marine Corps standards
You must not have any body piercing or tattoos that violate Navy or Marine Corps policy.
Students w/30 or more semester hours or 45 or more quarter hours of college credit upon application are not eligible for four-year NROTC Scholarships; these students should see professors of naval science at host university’s NROTC unit to discuss other scholarship opportunities. Note: College credits anticipated to be earned by June of the application year count towards the College credit limit.
You must be within Navy or Marine Corps height/weight standards when you report.
Apply for and gain admission to an approved NROTC college or university. Admission to an NROTC institution is not required during the selection process; however, notification of admission must be received before the scholarship can be activated.
Students may apply for only one of 2 program options at NROTC Ohio State – Navy or Marine Corps.
Active duty Navy applicants are ineligible to apply for NROTC program through COMNAVCRUITCOM. Active members of other branches of the military may apply if granted a conditional release. Individuals who are scheduled for boot camp may apply provided they complete all required application evolutions (i.e. officer interview, etc.). Applicants shall not ship to Boot Camp RTC prior to notification of selection or non-selection. Applicants who chose to ship to Boot Camp prior to selection/non-selection notification must notify NSTC (OD2), in writing, that they wish to withdraw their application.

Physical/Medical Requirements❯×

Physical fitness is an integral part of being a Naval Officer. Navy option Midshipmen are required to participate in and pass the Physical Fitness Assessment, which is run twice a year. This test includes curl-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5 mile timed run. Marine option Midshipmen are required to participate in and pass a Physical Fitness Assessment, which includes; crunches, pull-ups, and a 3 mile timed run. (Removed “push-ups” from last sentence).

For more information, https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/

Academic Scholarship Requirements/Tier Groups❯×

To be considered for an academic scholarship, prospective students must meet the national criteria. For more information, please visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/

The academic tier groups correspond to the level of technical difficulty associated with each major. The more technically challenging majors (i.e. Mechanical Engineering) are listed as Tier 1 majors while the less technically challenging majors (i.e. History) are listed as Tier 3 majors. Naval personnel operate some of the worlds most advanced technology and equipment; thus, the Midshipmen are encouraged to pursue Tier 1 and Tier 2 majors (approximately 80% of first year scholarships are awarded to Tier 1 & 2 majors). Marine Corps option students can pursue any degree they desire, however a high level of academic performance is still expected.