Becoming a Marine Officer:
The NROTC Program and Process
CAPT LOU MURILLO
NROTC COORDINATOR
AGENDA
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NROTC Mission
Benefits
Eligibility Requirements
Academic Requirements
Activities
Obligation
Training
How to Apply
NROTC MISSION
• To educate and train highly qualified
young men and women for careers as
commissioned officers in the United
States Marine Corps Reserve
THE BENEFITS
$180,000 SCHOLARSHIP
• Full Tuition, Lab Fees, Books, and
Uniforms!
• Provides leadership opportunities
• Structured academic environment
• $250 (Freshman) $400 (Senior) Stipend
per month
• Some Universities will help with or
cover room and board
ELIGIBILITY REQUIRMENTS
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U.S. Citizen
17-23 years of age
Physically qualified by USMC standards
No moral disqualifications
High School graduate or an equivalency
certificate (GED)
• Minimum 1000 SAT (Math+Verbal, not
writing) or 45 ACT
• Admission to a participating NROTC
college or University
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
• 150+ Colleges and Universities
• Large and Well Known
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Harvard
MIT
Notre Dame
(NY) Fordham, Maritime, Brockport
University of Southern California
Penn State
Cornell
• Schools all over the US
ACADEMIC REQUIREMNTS
• Select almost any undergraduate major
• Carry regular (full) course load
• Attend Naval Science Course
– (One Per semester)
• Maintain good academic standing
– (Must not drop below 2.0 average)
Academic Assistance
• Tutors, Study Halls, Midshipmen peer group
NROTC ACTIVITES
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Drill Team
Sailing Club
Aviation Club
Shooting Club
Anchor and Chain Society
SOCIAL ACTIVITES
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Marine Corps Birthday Ball
Formals
Unit Socials
Intramural Sports
OBLIGATION
• Upon graduation you will be commisioned as
a 2ndLt in the USMCR
• Required to fulfill a 4-year active duty tour
followed by a 4-year IRR.
• Flight training contracts require additional
obligation.
OBLIGATION (continued)
• Q: What if I am disenrolled or I decide I no
longer want to be in this program?
• A: After the first day of your Sophomore
year, you will be required to serve a two
year active duty enlisted tour or reimburse
all tuition.
SUMMER TRAINING
First Summer
• Cortramid Cruise
– Orientation to Naval Service
SUMMER TRAINING
Second Summer
• MWTC
• Mojave Viper
SUMMER TRAINING
Third Summer
• OCS (SIX-WEEK COURSE)
– MCB, Quantico, VA
– 3 Areas of Candidate Evaluations
• Leadership
• Physical Challenge
• Academics
HOW TO APPLY
• Go to https://www.nrotc.navy.mil and
complete the online application
• Take the SAT or ACT and release your
scores to Code 0656
• Apply to any of the eligible NROTC
colleges or Universities
HOW TO APPLY (continued)
• Q: Who is respnsible for completing and
submitting the application?
• A: YOU ARE!
https://www.nrotc.navy.mil
HOW TO APPLY (continued)
• Complete Application Package
– Transcripts
– Birth Cert / SSC
– Three Evaluations (Counselor, English/Math,
and Coach/or Other)
– Two Marine Officer interviews
– Physical Fitness Test results
BOARD PROCESS
• Early Board
– Application must be complete by October
– Board convenes in November
• Main Board
– Application must be complete by January
– Board convenes in February
• Early board non-selectees are guaranteed a
second look at the Main Board
SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST AVERAGES
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SAT/ACT 1220/52
PFT
250
GPA
3.51
Varsity Athletics
91%
• Boy/Girl Scouts
26%
• JROTC
32%
GRADUATION
HOW DO YOU GET THERE?
• Make yourself competitive!
– Can you run 3 miles in 22 mins, do 15
pull ups and 85-100 crunches in two
mins?
– Can you get a 1250 combined math and
verbal SAT score, 28 composite ACT or a
85 QT on the ASVAB?
– Do you have a 3.35 or better GPA?
– Do you volunteer or participate in
extracurricular activities that
demonstrate leadership potential and
reflect CORE VALUES of Honor, Courage
and Commitment?
BACK-UP PLAN
Q: What if I really want to be a Marine
Officer, but don’t get the scholarship?
A: A large % of Marine Officers enlist in the
reserves or active duty first, then pursue
Platoon Leader’s Course (PLC) or ECP
– Pay
– Tuition Assistance & GI Bill
– “Mustang” Marine
SUMMARY
• Open to HS Seniors and Grads with <30
College Credits (usually 1 year)
• Attend an NROTC affiliated College or
University
• Scholarship pays for tuition, textbooks,
instructional fees and stipend allowances.
• Midshipmen will complete basic officer training
at OCS during one summer break.
• Upon graduation, midshipmen will receive a
commision as a Second Lieutenant.
QUESTIONS?
Program Manager: Capt Murillo
(518) 266-6104
luis.murillo@marines.usmc.mil
More information can be found at:
https://www.nrotc.navy.mil or
www.marineofficer.com
COMBAT ARMS
• The heart & soul of the Marine Corps:
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Infantry
Artillery
Tanks
Amphibious Vehicles
Combat Engineers
• Specialize in the application of force.
AVIATION
• The Marine Corps operates jets, propeller
driven aircraft, and helicopters in support
of combat units in the following roles:
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Air to air combat
Ground attack
Troop transport
Cargo transport/refueling
Surveillance
• We maintain, repair, and sustain them as
well.
COMBAT SUPPORT
• Nothing works without support.
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Administrative support
Resupply/logistics support
Embarkation
Transportation
Maintenance
Communications
Data processing
Fiscal
And many others
LIFE AS AN OFFICER
• So what does that mean to you?
• Regardless of MOS, a Marine Officer:
– Is responsible for their unit and mission
accomplishment, no matter what.
– Leads by and sets the example.
– Is a master of his or her MOS.
– Develops plans and leads Marines in the
execution of those plans.
– Develops their Marines into cohesive,
combat ready teams.
HOW WE DO IT
• Attend & pass Officer Candidates
School.
• Upon completion of OCS & a
bachelor’s degree, commissioned as a
2ndLt in the USMC.
• Attend The Basic School- a six month
primer on how to be an officer.
• Attend follow-on MOS training.
• Assigned to a unit as a Marine
Officer.
COLLEGE APPLICATION
• The Marine Corps doesn’t care what your
degree is in- just that you have the
discipline to finish a degree.
• Consider what you enjoy studying- come
up with several different options.
• Determine what schools have an NROTC
program and the major you want.
• Determine admission requirements to
those schools and develop a plan.
COLLEGE APPLICATION
• You need to do this before you register for
your senior classes- does the college
require a foreign language, a specific level
of math, etc?
• Determine entrance exam requirementSAT or ACT? Take the test and leave time
to retake if necessary.
• Mark timelines for due dates and apply for
at least three schools.
TIMELINE
• Spring, Junior year:
– Spring: take ACT/SAT (Use code 0656 on the
release form to ensure scores reach NROTC)
– Start college application process
– Begin preparing for Physical Fitness Test
• Summer:
– Start NROTC application process
• Fall, Senior year:
– Final SAT (November) or ACT (October)
– Take Physical Fitness Test
– Complete application
WHY?
• Becoming a Marine officer is one of the greatest
challenges & privileges you can work towards.
• Serving your country and leading Marines is an
incredible responsibility that demands a
complete commitment.
• You will never wonder if what you are doing is
making a difference.
QUESTIONS?