Norwich University’s Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AROTC) program is the nation’s oldest ROTC program of any kind. While the training of citizen-soldiers began with Norwich University’s founding in 1819, the Morrill Act of 1862 required land-grant colleges to offer military training to their students. Norwich University was the nation’s first land-grant college. Reserve officer training was formalized in 1917 and Norwich has proudly created officers of distinction and character for America’s Army for more than 100 years.

The Army ROTC cadre at Norwich University is a team of highly skilled, professional officers, noncommissioned officers (NCOs), contractors, and civilians dedicated to the success of every Norwich cadet. The cadre at Norwich, hailing from careers in Special Forces, infantry, armor, military intelligence, logistics, and human resources, has more than 45 combined years of overseas service supporting the global War on Terror. Cadre members have served as battalion and company commanders, platoon leaders and platoon sergeants, leading paratroopers, snipers, and operators of M1 Abrams tanks and artillery. At home, Norwich’s AROTC cadre members have earned multiple graduate and undergraduate degrees while continuing their Army service. Norwich cadets will be mentored by a dedicated, accomplished team of Army professionals as they prepare for military or private sector careers.

The Norwich Army ROTC Pioneer Battalion trains young men and women to be leaders. All cadets living the military lifestyle at Norwich participate in at least four semesters of ROTC before choosing to pursue an officer’s commission or a civilian vocation. Norwich boasts the nation’s highest rate of active-duty commissions and scholarships for contracted Army cadets.

For more than 30 years, the Naval ROTC program at Norwich University has executed its mission to educate and train qualified young men and women for commissioned service in the Navy’s unrestricted line, Navy Nurse Corps, and Marine Corps. The NROTC staff at Norwich comprises officers from a wide range of communities who have deployed around the world on ships, submarines, aircraft and on the ground. These officers are ready and able to expose students to multiple aspects of both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

Students selected to commission through the NROTC program can influence their professional future through their career selection process. Navy option midshipmen may request their occupational designation: surface warfare officer (SWO), submarine warfare officer, special warfare officer (EOD or SEALs), Naval aviator, and Naval flight officer. Navy option midshipmen will be assigned a designator during their senior year. Upon commissioning, they will begin the training pipeline for their assigned designator.

A select few individuals annually receive the opportunity to become a Nurse Corps officer through selection for the highly competitive Nursing Scholarship, awarded during the senior year of high school.

The Marine Corps program is designed to instill the ethos of Marine first and job second. All Marine option midshipmen upon commissioning are designated as ground officers or aviation officers. All ground officers will have the opportunity to earn a designation of their choice into combat arms, combat service support, and aviation support while they attend the Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.

ROTC participants interested in serving as Marine aviators will have the opportunity to earn their designation before commissioning. To qualify, they must pass the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) and an aviation physical.

The NROTC curriculum is designed to prepare midshipmen for challenges they’ll face as commissioned officers in the Navy or Marine Corps. Midshipmen will take one Naval Science class per semester. The descriptions for these courses are in the Norwich catalog. These classes are open to any Norwich cadet, regardless of commissioning intentions.

Students seeking commissions will also participate in Leadership Laboratory (mil-lab) and physical training (PT) as part of the Naval Battalion. Mil-lab is a two-hour block each week, during which students conduct focused Navy and Marine Corps training outside of the classroom.

Physical fitness is essential for anyone who wishes to serve in the armed services. Midshipmen meet once per week for organized PT and are expected to take personal responsibility for their physical fitness.

The Navy and Marine Corps have additional opportunities for students who don’t receive scholarships before graduating from high school, including three-year and two-year scholarships that students can apply for beginning the spring of their freshman year. This process is highly competitive, with selection being determined nationally. For additional inquires please contact our staff listed below.

Any questions for the Marine Options should be directed towards Capt. Edward Pingel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 1 (802) 485-2194. Any questions for the Navy Options should be directed towards LT Andrew Kline at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 1 (802) 485-2193.

NROTC Preparatory Scholarship

Application DEADLINE: February 1

Apply for the opportunity to receive the Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (NROTC) Preparatory Scholarship. This scholarship will be given to five potential Midshipmen in the NROTC program who are pursuing a Tier 1 or Tier 2 degree and pursing a commission with the Navy upon graduation.

This opportunity includes five years as a full-time student at Norwich University. In your first year at Norwich, tuition and fees will be covered. Additional financial aid may be provided to supplement additional costs.

If selected for the Norwich NROTC Preparatory Scholarship, the student will have a four-year Navy ROTC National Scholarship reserved for them by the Navy. If the student successfully completes the first year of the preparatory program, including all requirements listed below, then they will be awarded the four-year Navy ROTC National Scholarship, which will cover tuition, fees and provide a monthly stipend. Norwich University will cover room and board for these students with our General I.D. White Scholarship. Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Before starting classes in the Fall semester successfully complete NROTC indoctrination summer training
• Before starting classes in the Fall semester successfully complete a Department of Defense medical exam
• Become a member of the Norwich Corps of Cadets
• Successfully pass the Navy's Physical Fitness Assessment once a semester with a score of “Good Low” or better
• Achieve a minimum of 2.8 cumulative GPA at Norwich University
• Agree to the terms of scholarship contract
• Receive the Professor of Naval Science's recommendation"

Apply

Ease the Strain for Paying for College

One of the most stressful complications for college students is finding the money to pay for the thousands of dollars of college-related expenses. The Navy and Marine Corps offers many scholarship options for those looking to gain tuition or housing assistance while pursuing their degree as a full time student. ROTC offers two, three, and four-four scholarships, based on individual cadets' circumstance. Scholarships are competitive at the national or campus level. The Navy ROTC scholarship entitles its recipients to full-tuition assistance or room-and-board reimbursement, as well as a textbook/fee allowance and a monthly stipend to cover the student’s living expenses.

In addition to the scholarship options offered by the Navy and Marine Corps, Norwich University also has a ROTC financial aid policy.

Current Students - Freshmen and Sophmores

At Norwich University, you can seek a Navy or Marine Corps commission in our program—even if you are currently a freshman or sophomore. You can continue to apply for a four-year national scholarship until you have 30 credits. Or you can come in as a basic standing student and apply for a three- or two-year Navy or three-, two-and-a-half or two-year scholarship with the Marine Corps.

Requirements for the Navy

• At minimum a 3.0 cumulative GPA (collegiate).

Requirements for Marine Corps

• A minimum of 1000 SAT (Math and Critical Reading, score from latest and same test), or 22 ACT Composite or 74 AFQT.
• Within height/weight/body fat standard per Marine Corps Order.
• At minimum a 3.0 cumulative GPA (collegiate).
• No Probation or LOA.
• Must achieve a minimum score of 235 on Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test.
• No less than 12 dead hang pullups or 50 seconds of flexed arm hang (females only).
• 90 crunches in two minutes.
• 22 minute (males) 25 minute (females) or faster three-mile run.
• Academically a second semester freshman or second semester sophomore.
• If you are going to pursue an aviation contract you need to take the ASTB. We can administer the exam on campus with early notification. Required scores are 5 on Academic Qualification Rating (AQR), 6 on Pilot Flight Officer Rating (PFAR).
• Eyesight for pilots can be 20/40 uncorrected and correctable to 20/20.

Requirements of both

• Not currently pursuing or in possession of a scholarship in different ROTC Department, and must be enrolled in Naval Science Classes.
• You must be a member of the Corps of Cadets or applying for a nursing scholarship.

High school seniors

The United States Navy and Marine Corps offers outstanding high school students the opportunity to seek a commission through our rigorous and rewarding NROTC program. The Norwich University Corps of Cadets combined with our NROTC unit has an extensive history of being on the forefront in training outstanding military leaders.

Schedule an Officer Interview

Officer Interviews for applicants to the NROTC national scholarship program are conducted on weekdays during working hours (0800-1600). Officer Interviews are normally conducted in-person at the Norwich NROTC offices. The Officer Interview is a significant part of the NROTC scholarship application process. Applicants are expected to arrive on-time, in appropriate business attire, and well-versed in the Navy or Marine Corps and the specific warfare communities of interest. Interviews normally last 45-60 minutes. To schedule an Officer Interview, please contact Mrs. Linnea LaPerle, the NROTC’s University Administrative Assistant, at (802)485-2185 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

How can you become part of our team?

Each year, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) awards competitive scholarships to students who are willing to strive to be the best. You are eligible if you have excelled in academics, extra-curricular activities, athletics and leadership positions, and want to further your success by becoming an officer in the United States Navy or Marine Corps. 

For an informational overview regarding Navy and Marine Corps ROTC visit www.nrotc.navy.mil to learn about program requirements, scholarships, and careers in the Navy and Marine Corps.

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