Navy ROTC programs at schools across the country include a Marine Option for those seeking a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. Marine Option midshipmen learn how to lead under pressure and handle difficult decisions through training that includes coursework, leadership laboratories and physical fitness training. Read on to learn about a few of the colleges where this opportunity is available.
School Comparison
| School Name | Institution Type | Location | 2017-2018 Tuition (in-state)* | Tuition Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska - Lincoln | 4-year, Public | Lincoln, NE | $8,978 | 2-, 3- and 4-year scholarships and/or monthly stipend |
| Yale University | 4-year, Private | New Haven, CT | $51,400 | 2-, 3- and 4-year scholarships and/or monthly stipend |
| Morehouse College | 4-year, Private | Atlanta, GA | $27,278 | Full scholarships and/or monthly stipend |
| Maine Maritime Academy | 4-year, Public | Castine, ME | $13,278 | 2-, 3- and 4-year scholarships and/or monthly stipend |
| North Carolina State University | 4-year, Public | Raleigh, NC | $9,058 | Full and partial scholarship options |
| University of San Diego | 4-year, Private | San Diego, CA | $47,708 | 2, 3 and 4-year scholarships and/or monthly stipend |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics
Overview of Colleges with Marine NROTC
The Marine Option is housed under a school's Navy ROTC unit. The program may be hosted by the school at which you are enrolled as a student, or you may travel to a nearby school as part of a crosstown partnership. Below find the structure and special offerings of a number of Marine NROTC programs from around the country.
University of Lincoln - Nebraska
The University of Lincoln - Nebraska (UNL)'s Marine Option Platoon is designed to groom midshipmen over four years to become leaders as company grade officers in the U.S. Marine Corps. It combines physical training, field training and classroom training. The physical training incorporates multiple workouts per week, designed and led by senior students as part of their leadership training. Classroom work combines preparation for life as a military officer with learning fundamental skills for a career in the Marine Corps, such as tactical training and land navigation. Field training events each semester are the culmination of physical and classroom preparation and utilize the nearby Nebraska Army National Guard Meade Training Area. Students practice and are evaluated for multiple exercises including emergency action drills, fire team tactics, conditioning hikes, combat lifesaving and many more.
Yale University
Marine Option midshipmen at this Ivy League school will participate in the Naval ROTC alongside Navy Option midshipmen. The program includes physical fitness and classroom instruction, including at least one Naval Science class per semester. Classes for Marine NROTC students typically include Organizational Leadership, Amphibious Warfare, Naval Weapons Systems, Leadership and Ethics, and others. The school expects midshipmen to devote 10-12 hours per week to ROTC activities, and they are otherwise encouraged to participate in wider university activities. This could include community events, sports or a wide variety of campus organizations.
Morehouse College
Morehouse College has a rich and unique history as a Historically Black College. To this day its student body is predominantly African American, as well as being all-male. Marine Option midshipmen at Morehouse College combine with those from Georgia Tech to make up the NROTC Atlanta Marine Platoon. They are also joined by students from several other nearby schools, all of whom regularly train together. Training involves physical fitness, including being tested on basic water survival requirements. Students also participate in twice weekly drills, and are assigned to certain 'billets', or jobs, each semester to help encourage good leadership development.
Maine Maritime Academy
Maine Maritime Academy has just 950 students, according to its website, who study in the fields of engineering, transportation, science or management. Students can participate in the Marine Option NROTC along with their major of choice, and access full or partial scholarships in exchange for a commission on graduation. Midshipmen can also apply to join the school's special Strategic Sealift Officer Program to pursue a career as a Strategic Sealift Officer. NROTC involves academics, leadership training and physical training, and the coursework required of Marine midshipmen include Naval Sciences classes, the Evolution of Warfare, Naval Orientation and more.
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University is part of a Naval ROTC consortium with multiple other schools in its area, considered one of the leading NROTC units in the country. NC State also has the largest unit in the state, with 100 midshipmen enrolled in 2018, including 20 Marine Option students. One of the unique offerings of NC State NROTC is its Mariner Skills Simulator. This immersive technology gives the Navy the opportunity to teach its students in a high-tech virtual environment, so they can simulate being at the helm of Navy vessels. This better prepares midshipmen for a commission upon graduation for life at sea as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego (USD) is also engaged in a crosstown partnership with other San Diego schools. The unit is headquartered at USD, which also hosts monthly drill periods. Students get to take advantage of nearby Navy and Marine Corps facilities, making the program attractive for those seeking a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. Midshipmen in the NROTC are joined by active duty Marines, who participate in the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program to earn commissions as officers. Midshipmen are expected to participate in all training activities, conduct community service, as well as join one or more of the NROTC-affiliated clubs. These include the submarine club, the Semper Fi honor society, the aviation club, and others.
