Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

Norwich University is proud to be the birthplace of America’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, celebrating over 100 years of commissioned officer development.

The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a college elective that develops leadership skills in our students as they prepare for Military Service in the Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force. Norwich University is the birthplace of ROTC and the first of six Senior Military Colleges in the United States today.

ROTC is one of the best leadership courses in the country and can be a key component of your college curriculum and Corps of Cadets experience at Norwich through our College of National Services. Through classes, leadership labs and field training, ROTC provides you with the tools and experiential learning to become an officer or an ensign without interfering with your other classes or athletics.

The Possibilities Are Endless

ROTC provides you with structure, discipline, values and leadership skills critical to career success, and money for tuition, while enhancing your overall college experience. In exchange for a paid college education and a guaranteed post-college career, participants, or cadets, commit to serve in the military after graduation. As a graduate of a Senior Military College, a medically-qualified cadet successfully completing all ROTC requirements is virtually assured of obtaining an active duty commission. And, when you leave “The Hill” you’ll join a family of alumni making extraordinary contributions in the military and government, well prepared and ready for any challenge your future may hold.

Start Strong

Before your arrival at Norwich, do your homework and check out each service’s website. Talk with friends and family who are in service. Or, simply call or email our ROTC Branch POCs and our ROTC leadership will welcome your questions.

As you begin your path at Norwich as a first-year Norwich cadet, or “rook,” you will have face-to-face opportunities to align with a branch of service, and can adjust your service goals as your understanding and professional aims develop. The ROTC military service teams work closely together to ensure all Norwich cadets meet their professional goals and will guide you along the way.

DID YOU KNOW:

All Branches

At Norwich, cadets can transfer between the branches during freshman year as long as they meet certain conditions.

Award Winning ROTC

We're proud of our nationally recognized Army ROTC program.
Read about our awards.

Take Flight

From our You Can Fly program, to our Civil Air Patrol partnership, to the newly-landed flight simulator grant, your opportunity to take to the sky is here at NU.

Nicholas Velarde
Construction Management, U.S. Army

"To any student planning on coming to Norwich, I would say that life is about taking risks and being outside of their comfort zone. Being outside of the comfort zone is where you will learn the most about yourself and become a better, more prepared version of yourself. Coming to Norwich will put you outside of that comfort zone. Other schools create regular graduates; Norwich aims to develop influential leaders who lead soldiers or lead others in civilian jobs. "

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere ’85

“I think the long-standing, multidecade connection of Norwich grads is strong and sound. I can guarantee in the Department of Defense that Norwich graduates — officer, enlisted, civilian, Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines, and now (Space Force) Guardians — are connected and stay connected, both from a professional development perspective and pride in our alma mater. … What the institution gave to everybody who serves is pretty strong.”

Joseph Chatterton
’24 U.S. Army ROTC

"It sounds cliché, but Norwich really is what you make of it. If you want to be an effective leader in the military, public service, or anywhere else where, Norwich is the place to be. … Programs such as the Norwich Artillery Battery set Norwich apart from other ROTC programs. I have friends who participate in ROTC programs at public universities. Yes, they have (physical training) some mornings, and have military labs once a week, but through NAB, I get four additional hours of military training per week, not to mention two extra days of PT in the morning. I have also had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shoot historic pack howitzers who saw combat during World War II."

Sophia Righthouse ’25
U.S. Army ROTC scholarship recipient

“Very long term, I’d to be an attache for the military, hopefully living in foreign countries and meeting with officials. I’ve heard of CityLab:Berlin and I’m so excited. … My goal for being at Norwich is trying my hardest and pushing others around me, motivating them as best as we can so that all of the rooks and all of the cadets in the future can be the best that they can be.”

Larenz Simpkins’23
Pursuing U.S. Marine Corps commission

“This is an intense environment with some of the best young men and women in the country. You don’t need to ask for a lot to make a lot of something. (The attitude is,) ‘You give me a stick and I will turn it into a house somehow. … It’s about having a chip on your shoulder and saying, ‘I’m going to get out of here and get this done.’”

Expect Challenge. Achieve Distinction.

ROTC

The Possibilities Are Endless

Start Strong

Air Force & Space Force ROTC

Army ROTC

Navy & Marine Corps ROTC