Frequenty Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Please use this page to navigate through some commonly asked questions. All of the questions and answers that we have compiled can be found below or you may use the side navigation to filter the questions to a specific subject matter.
How do I get in touch with USF Naval ROTC if I have a question that was not answered here?
813-974-4789
Physical Address:
12303 USF Genshaft Drive
Tampa, FL 33620
Mailing Address:
4202 East Fowler Avenue
ATTN: CWY 406 Naval ROTC
Tampa, FL 33620
What are the entrance requirements?
What are the physical/medical requirements?
What are the academic scholarship requirements?
Are there specific dorms that I must live in for NROTC?
As a Naval ROTC student, take advantage of the opportunity to live with like-minded students in the ROTC Living Learning Community. You will build strong camaraderie with your neighbors, receive peer mentor support, and gain a better understanding and appreciation for the culture and capabilities of each military service. Our residents are pleasantly surprised when they arrive on campus and move into their new suite style room in Maple Hall just three minutes from C.W. Bill Young Hall where their ROTC classes are held.
More information is available at: https://www.usf.edu/housing/residential-learning/llc-interest/rotc.aspx.
Does the Navy pay for room and board?
No, USF does not cover the cost of room and board. However, there are additional scholarship opportunities offered at the University of Tampa to help cover the cost of room and board.
How much time will I spend each week toward Naval ROTC commitments?
Students should expect to spend about 10 hours per week with the NROTC unit.
Physical Training twice a week (3 hours total)
Naval Science class twice a week (75 minutes each = 2.5 hours total)
Naval Science Lab twice a week (75 minutes each = 2.5 hours total)
Drill Practice once per week (1 hour)
Remedial PT, if required (1-2 hours)
Am I limited in the majors that I may choose?
The Navy pays high preference to STEM majors and those students who pursue a STEM major are more competitive for the national scholarship. The Navy separates majors into a three tier system. More information about this tier system can be found at: https://www.nrotc.navy.mil/scholarship_criteria.html
Independent of major, all Navy option midshipmen who are on scholarship are required to incorporate Calculus I and II and Physics I and II into their degree plan.
Marine option midshipmen are free to select the major of their choice and are not required to complete Calculus and Physics.
Do I have to wear my uniform every single day?
Uniform is worn on Tuesdays/Thursdays or when otherwise specified for battalion-related activities.
What is the service commitment time after graduation?
After receiving a Commission, Navy students are obligated to serve a minimum 5-years of active military service, however some communities require longer commitments. Marine options are obligated to serve 4 years after Commissioning.
Can I participate in Naval ROTC if I attend the St. Petersburg or Sarasota campus?
At this time, the USF NROTC is only open to students attending the USF (Tampa campus only) or University of Tampa campuses. Students attending other schools in the Tampa area, including USF-St. Petersburg and USF-Sarasota/Manatee, are not eligible to participate.
Which medical conditions may disqualify you from the Naval ROTC program?
For a full list of medical questions, please visit: https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Requirements/.
Can my high school AP Calculus and AP Physics credits earned be applied to my calculus and physics requirement?
Yes, for first semester Calculus and Physics classes only. Students may not use high school credits to fulfill both semesters of the requirement for Calculus and Physics. The second or higher semester of Calculus and Physics must be taken at the University of South Florida/University of Tampa.
What type of academic assistance is provided to NROTC students?
A tutor is provided to assist students with calculus and physics coursework at no cost to the student. There is also a computer lab and lounge strictly dedicated to ROTC students in the C.W. Bill Young Hall building on campus.
What careers are available to me in the Navy or Marine Corps upon graduation and commissioning from NROTC at USF?
Through the Naval ROTC (NROTC) program, we commission students into the Navy and Marine Corps as front line officers e.g., surface ship officers, submarine officers, pilots, Navy SEAL officers, infantry officers, etc. The careers available to students commissioning into the Navy are detailed here and the careers available to students commissioning into the Marine Corps are detailed here.
Notably, we do not offer medical careers through the NROTC program at USF. Additional information about becoming a nurse through the NROTC program is available here.
How do I get an NROTC Scholarship Application form?
At https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Apply/. You can also call 1-800-USA-Navy and request an NROTC scholarship application be sent in the mail.
What does the scholarship cover/not cover?
When is the scholarship application deadline?
Applications may be submitted from 1 April until 31 December for the following academic year. Completed applications will be processed as they are received. Notifications of selection can start as early as September.
If I don’t receive a 4-year scholarship, can I still attend USF and eventually receive a scholarship or a commission in the USN or the USMC?
Students who do not get selected for a National NROTC Scholarship can still apply to be a part of the unit as a College Program student. For more information on our College Program, please visit https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/naval-rotc/prospective-students/college-program.aspx.
What if I can’t meet the physical fitness standards upon arrival to the unit?
Prospective students should, after being medically cleared, engage in a personal program of physical fitness to ensure they arrive within fitness standards. Scholarship students who are not able to meet fitness standards will not have their scholarship activated until they meet standards. Failure to meet standards over a prolonged period of time (greater than one semester) will likely result in disenrollment from the program.
The physical requirements can be found at: https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Requirements/.
Does acceptance by the NROTC program ensure that will be able to attend USF or UT?
No, USF and UT admissions are a separate process from NROTC admissions. Students must apply and gain admittance through the normal admissions process at USF or UT.
Are Navy ROTC and Marine Corps ROTC separate programs?
No, both Marine and Navy option midshipmen are integrated into the same unit. There are some differences in required coursework/labs, but students take many of the same Naval Science classes, participate in many extracurricular activities together, etc.
What is the latest I can join the NROTC battalion as a college program student?
Students should apply no later than April 1st to qualify for admittance to the following fall semester.
What is the size of the unit?
~70 MIDN, Officer Candidates (OCs), and MECEPs. MECEPs are prior enlisted Marines and OCs are prior enlisted sailors who were selected to receive a commission upon graduation from the university. These battalion members are a great source of wisdom and mentorship as they have served in critical national security missions, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
What is New Student Orientation (NSO)?
Naval ROTC New Student Orientation is held the week prior to the beginning of USF's school year. Its purpose is to indoctrinate incoming Midshipmen with the basics of military professionalism, physical fitness, and how to succeed in the Naval ROTC program. It should be stressed that orientation is not a military "boot camp", but an opportunity to transition incoming freshman to the NROTC lifestyle as well as ensure all administrative work and uniforms are taken care of. For most, this is the first taste of military life and they are forced to learn quickly; in only one day, the orientation staff arranges for a variety of fulfilling activities for participants. Through a combination of classroom instruction, team building activities, and personal attention from upper-class Midshipmen, each freshman is challenged to achieve his or her potential.
In addition to NSO, students will attend New Student Indoctrination in Great Lakes, Illinois. For more information: https://www.nrotc.navy.mil/new_student_indoctrination.html.
What classes should I schedule my first semester?
Midshipmen should follow the prescribed degree plan for their intended major and ensure they are enrolled in the appropriate Naval Science course (NSC 1110 for entering freshmen) and Naval Science labs (NSC 1101L-001 for all students, NSC 1101L-002 for Marine options and NSC 1101L-003 for Navy options). They should also take into account any academic requirements determined by their scholarship status.
Can I play sports while participating in NROTC?
Yes, allowances can be made for midshipmen to participate in university athletics.
What is the obligation incurred by incoming freshmen when they join the program?
Scholarship students have one year and College Program students have two years to experience the NROTC program before they have to decide whether to remain in the program and incur the obligation, or to leave the program without obligation.
Can I change my major once I'm enrolled in the program?
If you desire to attempt a more technical major or move laterally then you will be able to change majors without issue. A board will be held to determine which students will be approved for a change of major to a less technical degree.
My SAT/ACT scores and high school GPA aren’t the best. Do I have any shot at a scholarship?
Yes. Our scholarship boards take a holistic approach to your application, taking into consideration all aspects of your resume.
SAT/ACT scores and high school GPA are important for the four-year scholarship, as they are an indicator of potential to succeed in college. However, those items are not factored into competition for our three- and two-year scholarships. Instead, they are replaced by college GPA. As such, if a student does not earn a four-year scholarship but comes into college and performs well academically, he or she can be competitive for a three- or two-year scholarship.
If you are concerned about your SAT/ACT scores for the four-year scholarship, we recommend taking a SAT/ACT preparation course and retaking the exam to improve your scores.