Navy and Marine Corps ROTC

Naval ROTC

The University of Idaho/Washington State University Navy and Marine Corps ROTC program develops midshipmen mentally, morally and physically to drive the highest ideals of duty and loyalty along with the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Graduates leave with a commission into the Navy or Marine Corps.

The unit is composed of Navy and Marine option midshipmen, Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) Marines, and Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) Officer Candidates. The varied backgrounds of our battalion members create a well-rounded and efficient team. Many students are enrolled in engineering and other STEM majors and perform exceptionally well in their classes.

Academics performance is high in Naval ROTC

The unit maintains a combined GPA of over 3.30 due in large part to the number of available study aids. The NROTC’s math and physics tutors come directly to the unit to help with any level of courses. The battalion study programs provide opportunities to seek help from others within the unit, as well as from other university-sponsored study aids.

Housing at U of I

ROTC participants can live together in the Gooding Wing of the Wallace Residence Hall Complex. The benefit of having motivated roommates with compatible schedules and shared interests in the Armed Forces creates a fun environment, enhancing camaraderie. Contact U of I Housing and Residential Life for more information.

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Midshipmen integration

NPS, Scholarship and a select few College Program candidates will attend New Student Indoctrination (NSI) for three weeks at Naval Training Station Great Lakes. These three weeks will introduce the candidates to life in the Navy and Marine Corps while they obtain qualifications, attend classes and train for their next several years in the Navy ROTC program.

All Students regardless of scholarship status will attend New Student Orientation (NSO) at U of I. NSO is a two- to three-day program which occurs the week prior to the beginning of freshman semester. This program provides a solid foundation in the basics of military customs, courtesies, traditions and education. This challenging introduction allows freshman to become accustomed to Navy ROTC life and builds a sense of unit camaraderie that will last until graduation.

Majors

The Navy is preparing our officer corps of the future to meet the dynamic challenges in the next generation of technology and leadership. In structuring our academic programs to meet these challenges, undergraduate academic majors for NROTC Navy option Midshipmen are divided into three categories or tiers:

• Tier 1: engineering programs of Navy interest
• Tier 2: other engineering, math and science programs
• Tier 3: remaining academic programs

In order to keep pace in this high tech and diverse environment, approximately 85 percent of Navy option NROTC scholarships offered will be awarded to students interested in completing a Tier 1 or Tier 2 academic major. The NROTC scholarship provides full tuition and fees to University of Idaho and Washington State University campuses. Marine-option students are not required to use tiers.

Download the list of Major Tiers (PDF)

Naval Science curriculum

The Naval Science Program consists of approximately 20 semester hours of professional naval courses covering subjects such as engineering, navigation, military organization and leadership. These courses are intended to be taken in conjunction with courses in pursuit of a degree and emphasize academic success. All uniforms and naval science textbooks are provided. View course offerings.

Marine Corps option: Students taking this option enroll in specialized courses on Marine Corps subjects during their junior and senior years and participate in Officers Candidate School at the Marine Corps Development and Education Center in Quantico, Virginia, during the summer following their junior year.

STA-21: Why Idaho?

For Seamen to Admiral-21 (STA-21) students that are worried about expenses while working towards their commission, University of Idaho and Washington State University are a perfect choice. College tuition and fees are below the tuition stipend provided by the Navy. Both schools offer excellent engineering programs. U of I’s engineering students have a 92% passing rate on the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (the national average is 75% [non-weighted]) and Washington State University has over 100 dedicated engineering professors and $20 million in grants for the College of Engineering.

If the great outdoors is something that you enjoy, Idaho offers some of the best outdoor skiing, hiking and rafting experiences available. Join other outdoor enthusiasts backpacking, rock climbing and white water rafting with gear rental from the University Outdoor Program. If physical fitness is your cup of tea, the U of I offers a great Student Recreation Center. Built in 2002, it boasts 80,000 square feet of basketball courts, treadmills, free weights and more, as well as a 6,000 square foot climbing area. Both schools offer exciting Division I sports teams and WSU is a member of the PAC-12, one of the most competitive conferences in the country.

Family support: The U of I/WSU NROTC takes great pride supporting active duty members and their families. The NROTC unit offers several family events including the annual Christmas party, an enjoyable event if you have children and family members. Many of our active duty members, both STA-21 and MECEP, have families and support each other with up-to-date information about local daycare facilities and family support groups. The NROTC unit also has additional support for families with its Spouse Support Group (SSG).

Things to know

• Checking In: When checking in make sure to bring all your medical records, copies of your orders, your service record and travel information. Our administration staff will assist you with any travel-related issues or questions.
• Academics: OCs are expected to maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA if taking the nuclear option. All OCs are expect to pass Calculus based Physics 1 and 2, and Calculus 1 and 2 with a "C" grade or better.
• Fitness: To stay off FEP, a Good Medium PRT score must be maintained. BCA requirements also must be met.
• Unit involvement: OCs will be fully integrated into the unit, participate in all unit activities and are expected to assume leadership roles at U of I. During the fall and spring semesters, OCs should expect to attend two Physical Training (PT) sessions and one Professional Development (PD) training per week. During the summer semester, OCs should expect to attend three PT sessions per week. In addition to PT and PD, OCs should expect to participate in Commissioning Ceremonies, weekend stadium cleanups at WSU, Spring Awards and optional volunteer opportunities.
• Commuting: Since we are a crosstown unit with Washington State University, WSU students should expect to commute to Moscow and U of I campus for unit activities. Be aware, most unit activities will take place in Moscow.
• Tuition: Your tuition stipend will cover most of the fall and spring tuitions costs. Expect to pay out-of-pocket costs or utilize GI Bill benefits for the summer semester due to the tuition stipend not sufficiently covering the summer tuitions costs.

MECEP

As a MECEP or MCP student, you are fully integrated into the NROTC Battalion. See the current versions of MCO 1040.43, MCO 1560.15 and the annual MARADMIN.

You can expect your course load to be between 15 and 18 hours per semester and 12 hours during the summer, excluding your OCS summer. In addition to your specific degree requirements, you will be required to take the following Naval science courses:

• NS 103 Professional Development Lab
• NS 311 Evolution of Warfare
• NS 412 Amphibious Operations
• NS 402 Leadership and Ethics

You will also be required to take three hours of an approved American history or National Security Policy. In addition to your academic course load, you will also participate in the Semper Fi Platoon.

For additional information, contact the MOI at sehart@uidaho.edu or the AMOI at amoi@uidaho.edu. You may also connect with military and veteran services at University of Idaho or WSU.

Questions?

See our FAQ or contact us at 208-885-6333 or navyrotc@uidaho.edu. 

Contacts

Scott Brunson
Commanding Officer
sbrunson@uidaho.edu

Jason Bruce
Executive Officer
jbruce@uidaho.edu

Michael Le
Aviation Officer
michaell@uidaho.edu

Shannon Hart
Marine Officer Instructor
sehart@uidaho.edu

Cody Gleich
Assistant Marine Officer Instructor
amoi@uidaho.edu

Harrison Ellis
Surface Warfare Officer
hellis@uidaho.edu

William Burdge
Nuclear Propulsion Officer
wburdge@uidaho.edu