MHC_CUPOLA_burgandy.png

NAVY ROTC

NROTC FAQ

The purpose of the Navy ROTC Program is to educate and train qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the Navy’s unrestricted line and in the Marine Corps. As the largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program plays an important role in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps. 

The Navy ROTC Program was established to develop midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, and loyalty, and with the core values of honor, courage and commitment in order to commission college graduates as naval officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the naval service, and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.

Can I join the NROTC program even if I do not want a naval career?
  • Certainly. Very few people of high school age, or even college age, will know what they want to do for an occupation for the rest of their lives. Some of our students may decide to make the naval service their career after they are in it for a while, but there is no long-term obligation to do so beyond the normal commitments each designator mandates.
What are the NROTC scholarship benefits?
  • The scholarship covers full tuition and mandatory school fees. In addition each scholarship student receives all educational fees paid, uniforms, $375 towards books each semester, and up to a $400 per month subsistence allowance based on time in the program. The NROTC scholarship pays for scholarship students’ initial transportation from home to school and from home to summer cruise training.
Does the scholarship cover room and board expenses?
  • No. Those expenses must be borne by the individual families. Students who find that room and board payments represent a financial hardship should investigate financial aid programs.
What is my active duty obligation after graduation?
  • We have two categories of students. Our scholarship students are obligated for a minimum of five years of active duty after graduation and varies based on the designator. They accept the obligation at the beginning of the sophomore year. Our College Program (non-scholarship) students are obligated for three years of active duty after graduation. They accept the obligation at the beginning of their junior year if accepted to Advanced Standing status.
What is Advanced Standing?
  • This is the title of the status for which College Program students must apply so that they can commission after graduation. This status ensures that College Program students will graduate with all NROTC requirements met and can be service assigned a designator.
Does that mean there is no obligation incurring by incoming freshmen when they join the program?
  • Correct. Scholarship students have a 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 to incur the obligation or to leave the program without obligation.
If I join the NROTC program, what kind of military duties should I expect after graduation?
  • Most of our students, male and female, will graduate as “unrestricted line officers.” That means that they will be expected to go on to further training in aviation, submarines, or conventional or nuclear-powered surface ships. Those who choose (and are accepted for) the Marine Corps can go into aviation or a variety of ground officer assignments.
What is a designator?
  • This is what the Navy calls an officer’s occupation. All unrestricted line designators are open for NROTC students. Designator choices for NROTC include:
    • Naval Aviator (Pilot)
    • Naval Flight Officer (NFO)
    • Surface Warfare Officer
    • Surface Warfare Officer (Nuclear Option)
    • Submarine Officer
    • Naval Special Warfare (SEAL)
    • Special Operations (EOD)
    • Naval Reactors Engineer (restricted line, but open to very few select students each year)
    • Surface Warfare Officer (restricted line option)
      • Oceanography
      • Engineering
      • Intelligence
      • Information Professional
      • Cryptologic Warfare
Do scholarship and non-scholarship students receive identical assignments after graduation?
  • Yes. Assignments are made on the basis of the student’s choices, qualifications, performance, and needs of the Navy. Scholarship status is not a factor in the assignment process.
Would I get the choice of duty I want after graduation?
  • Most likely. At the beginning of senior year, our students state their duty preferences, and most will get their first choice of designator. There are prerequisites for each designator, such as being physically qualified for aviation and having adequate grades for nuclear-powered ships and submarines.
Can I be guaranteed flight school after graduation?
  • The Navy does not give such a guarantee. However, experience has shown that a solid academic performance and high scores on the aviation aptitude exam will give a Midshipman an excellent chance of being selected for aviation. The Marine Corps does offer flight guarantees, which can be granted by meeting the requirements any time up to 90 days before graduation.
What about graduate school? Is there any way to go directly to graduate school, and to serve the obligated military service after graduate school? Morehouse College has this great dual BS/MS degree I’ve heard all about, can I participate in this?
  • That is a good possibility if you have an exceptional record of undergraduate academic work. A few top students are selected each year to go on to graduate school, but the vast majority of Midshipmen are expected to enter the military after graduation. Keep in mind, though, that the Navy and Marine Corps have their own Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and students could be eligible for assignment thereafter their first operational tour of duty. This will enable you to obtain a graduate degree in the field of your choice while receiving full pay.
It looks like Morehouse College will take me 9 or 10 semesters to graduate and this is a four-year scholarship. How does this work out?
  • This is a common occurrence among Morehouse College engineering students. Historically, if students have a solid academic record and have completed an average of  18 credits per semester, then they have been awarded Fifth Year Benefits. Students may apply for Fifth Year Benefits early in their tenure here.
Can I study abroad?
  • Yes. The unit has had students study in Latvia, Ireland, Korea, and China recently.
Will studying abroad affect my ability to get a security clearance in the future?
  • No.
Can I go from the NROTC program directly into medical school, and then serve my obligated time as a Navy doctor?
  • The NROTC program is not designed to educate and produce medical doctors.At this time, the NROTC program has a possibility of placing 0 to 15 Midshipmen nationwide into medical school each year. The Naval Academy, by comparison, has a goal of 3 to 15. Interested applicants must apply to medical school. If admitted to medical school, they attend immediately following graduation. Under this program, students begin to serve their obligation following their residency. Outstanding academic performance or lack thereof will be the greatest enabler or barrier for this goal.
Do I have to major in some particular subject if I join the NROTC?
  • No. Any of the available majors at Morehouse College, Spelman College, or Clark Atlanta University are allowable. We encourage our students to pursue some form of technical major, but that is not a requirement. Keep in mind that Naval Service Training Command will favor technical majors when awarding scholarships. NSTC’s goal is to award 80% of the scholarships to incoming freshmen who major in STEM programs. An up-to-date list of majors can be found here. Those who major in non-technical subjects will have to take a few technical courses, namely calculus and physics, to prepare them for the technological environment that they will encounter in their military service. These technical courses, even for non-tech majors, will usually count toward degree requirements because all majors require some math and science course work.
Would I be allowed to change my major once I am in the NROTC program?
  • It depends. If you desire to attempt a more technical major or move laterally, then you will be able to change majors without issue. Examples of the above would be Physics changing to Mechanical Engineering (move up) and an Electrical Engineer becoming a Mechanical Engineer (lateral move). A few students each year will be allowed to change majors to a less technical major. An example would be a Nuclear and Radiological Engineering major moving to Management. Selection boards are held twice a year to determine which students will be approved for a change of major to a less technical degree.
What happens if I can’t change my major? Do I get kicked out?
  • Probably not. The student will have the choice of remaining on scholarship in their assigned major or changing majors and transferring to college program status.
What are the specific courses that I must take if I join the NROTC program that I would not otherwise have to take?
  • NROTC students take, on average, two Naval Science courses per year, one each in the Fall and Spring semesters (plus the one credit-hour Naval Leadership Lab each semester). All Navy/Marine option scholarship students must take one course in American Military History/National Security Policy. All Navy option students are required to take two courses in English Composition. Additionally, scholarship students (not including Marine option students) must take two semesters of calculus and two semesters of calculus-based physics.
What types of academic support does the NROTC unit provide?
  • The NROTC unit directs students to utilize tutoring services provided by each school in calculus and physics for any NROTC student who would like a little help with these difficult subjects. Morehouse College, Spelman College, or Clark Atlanta University all provide these tutoring services free of charge. Additionally, we require all incoming freshmen and anyone struggling academically to participate in weekly study hours. Each Midshipman is assigned to a class advisor. The class advisor is an active duty Navy Lieutenant or Marine Corps Captain who also provides advice about school and NROTC while keeping the big picture in mind. The advisor will make sure Midshipmen are tracking along in their majors and NROTC requirements.
 
How does the Marine training differ from Navy training?
  • In most respects, it is the same. Marine option students are not required to take calculus and physics courses. Marine option students take different Naval Science courses in their junior and senior years, and in the summer after their junior year they must complete Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia. Our Marine Officer Instructor guides them in their development, and upon graduation, they are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps.
What will I do on summer training cruises?
  • Midshipmen are required to attend various training programs during the summer. Some of these programs include:
    • NROTC Indoctrination Program: Summer BEFORE Freshman year. Basic militarization and training program REQUIRED for all midshipmen entering program.
    • Nuclear Power: Midshipmen can be assigned to nuclear submarine or nuclear surface vessels
    • Marine Corps 6-Week Course: First class Marine Option midshipmen are assigned to Marine units for summer training
    • CORTRAMID: Navy ROTC second and third-class scholarship midshipmen assigned to this training. Training consists of surface, submarine, aviation, and Marine Corps Orientation
    • Afloat Aviation Option: Selected midshipmen train aboard a carrier; training includes flight time on navy aircraft if feasible
    • Ashore Aviation Option: Selected midshipmen train with a Navy aviation squadron, including flight time if feasible
    • Foreign Exchange Training of Midshipmen (FOREXTRAMID) and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Exchanges: Selected midshipmen train with Navies of other countries
    • Sea Trials: Professional military training and evaluation prior to Junior year.
Where do we go during summer cruise, and who pays for our transportation?
  • Our students travel all over the world on cruises. The Navy pays for travel expenses from school or your home to the cruise site and your return to home each summer. Our juniors have many options available to them. They can request Aircraft Carrier or Patrol Squadron cruises and special training with Navy SEALs. They may also request a foreign exchange cruise for their final summer. Each year, several of our students take summer cruises aboard ships of a foreign Navy. Last summer students had the opportunity to visit Norfolk, VA, Mayport, FL, Pensacola, FL, King’s Bay, GA, San Diego, CA, Everett, WA, Pearl Harbor, HI, Yokosuka, Japan, Guam, Saipan, Singapore, and Panama.
You mentioned that you have women in the NROTC program. How does their training differ from that of the men?
  • It is identical except for the physical fitness standards.
Do NROTC graduates have the same opportunities as Naval Academy graduates when it comes time for duty assignments after graduation?
  • Yes. NROTC and Academy graduates have identical opportunities to go into the fields of their choice. When it comes time to state duty preferences and to be selected for duty assignments, students with higher academic and aptitude rankings, regardless of where they go to school, will be most likely to receive their first choice of assignments.
I’ve heard I have a better chance of getting Aviation if I receive a commission through OCS. Is this true?
  • This is absolutely false. OCS, NROTC, and USNA all commission about 1000 officers per year. Each commissioning source has the same number of billets for all communities. You have an equal chance of gaining your preferred service selection from each commissioning source.
Do NROTC Midshipmen wear uniforms to classes every day like they do at the Naval Academy?
  • No. NROTC Midshipmen are required to wear the uniform on Tuesdays and Thursdays for classes and leadership lab. Lab, otherwise known as drill, may consist of military formation, classroom sessions, general briefings, guest speakers, or swim training.
Are NROTC Midshipmen housed together on campus?
  • No. Each student makes his or her own arrangements with the university for housing. Students may live in university dormitories, or in fraternities or sororities, at their option. Some upperclassmen choose to live in, and share the expenses of, nearby apartments.
How do I go about applying for an NROTC scholarship?
  • Start the process before your high school senior year. The NROTC application opens on April 1 at the end of your junior year. The Navy Recruiting Command and Headquarters, Marine Corps accept and process all NROTC scholarship applications. Go to nrotc.navy.mil to start the application process. The Navy Recruiting Command or Headquarters, Marine Corps will notify you of the results of the scholarship selection board.

    If you didn’t take the above route and are already in college, you can apply for the NROTC College Program. By entering NROTC as a College Program student, you can apply for a three-year scholarship at the end of your freshman year. The staff at the NROTC will assist you in preparing the application. If you receive a scholarship and accept it, you incur the same obligation as a four-year scholarship student entering their sophomore year.
Will my scholarship selection be held up if I have trouble passing the medical exam?
  • The scholarship selection process is completely independent of the medical examination. Scholarship selection is based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated leadership potential. You can be selected as a scholarship nominee even before you take the medical exam, but, of course, it cannot be awarded to you until you have passed the medical exam. The importance of completing and passing the medical exam cannot be over-emphasized. It is up to you to do all you can to complete the medical exam in a timely fashion. If follow-on exams or inputs from your local doctor are required, then you must ensure you meet these requirements.
If I am notified that some physical problem will disqualify me from scholarship eligibility, is there anything I can do?
  • That depends on the nature of the problem. Some problems, such as minor eye corrections, can be waived. Some problems, such as having had certain childhood diseases, or a family history of diabetes, can cloud your medical record to the point that additional medical evidence may be required to substantiate your qualification. Unless you are told that your condition is absolutely disqualifying, you should do all that you can to obtain medical certification. Letters from family doctors or your local specialists can help to show that your condition should not be disqualifying. When in doubt, ask for a medical waiver. These issues should be addressed with DoDMERB and the NSTC medical board. DO NOT send medical documentation to the local unit.
In addition to the medical exam, is there a physical fitness exam required for scholarship selection?
  • Marine Option students are required to pass a physical fitness exam to be eligible for scholarship selection. Navy Option students do not take this exam as a prerequisite to selection. Once in the NROTC program, all Midshipmen are required to pass a semi-annual physical fitness assessment, which, for Navy option students, consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run. All Midshipmen are encouraged to seek excellence in their physical fitness, and to do more than the minimums in their fitness tests. Marine Option students take a slightly different test that consists of pull-ups, sit-ups, and a three-mile run.
If I missed the deadline for the National four-year scholarship application, is there any way that I can still obtain an NROTC scholarship?
    • Maybe, but not through the process that I just described. Students can become eligible for the award of a scholarship by joining their NROTC Unit in the College Program (non-scholarship) status. After one academic term, the student may be recommended for scholarship status to the Chief of Naval Education and Training, who is empowered to award scholarships to promising College Program students. In general, if you can earn better than a 3.0 GPA in your first academic term, achieve a “B” or better in Calculus, and demonstrate a high aptitude for Naval Service, you will have a good chance for an NROTC scholarship. The availability of these “side-load” scholarships is also dependent on the officer production needs of the Navy and NROTC budget. 
How much of my time at school will be tied up in NROTC activities?
  • As much as you want, but at least six hours a week. Your Naval Science courses meet three hours per week and replace other electives, so those courses should not be thought of as extra requirements. In addition, there are two one-hour leadership lab sessions each week, and you may be asked to devote about two nights per month in required activities. The battalion conducts unit-level physical fitness training on one morning per week for one hour. Additionally, Marine option students conduct physical fitness training on Mondays and Fridays. There are a number of NROTC extracurricular activities available to you if you are interested in them. We sponsor formal and informal dinners, parties, picnics, and other get-togethers. Many of these activities are purely voluntary.
If I join the NROTC program, am I in the military, or am I still a civilian?
  • NROTC Midshipmen are given the same status as “inactive reservists.” You will get a “reserve” military ID card, but you will be a civilian during all but the summer training cruise periods of your curriculum. The summer training is performed in an active duty “reserve” status.
How are tuition payments and book purchases handled for scholarship students?
  • The NROTC unit will pay your tuition and fees directly to the university. Incoming freshmen are required to pay a deposit before school starts. You must pay these deposits. The deposit is applied toward your housing bill. Since the Navy will pay the tuition bill, your initial deposit can be applied to your housing bill. The Navy will provide a basic book stipend of $375, independent of the amount you actually spend on books.
If I am given an NROTC scholarship, does that guarantee that I will be admitted?
  • No. The scholarship selection process is totally independent of the admission processes at each school. You must seek admission to Morehouse College, Spelman College, or Clark Atlanta University, or some other NROTC host university. Remember that the NROTC scholarship cannot be awarded to you until you have been accepted for admission at an NROTC host school. It is a good idea for NROTC scholarship applicants to apply to more than one NROTC host school to ensure acceptance to at least one NROTC host school.
Are NROTC scholarship selectees given any preferential treatment in the Morehouse College admission process?
  • No. The same personal characteristics and academic credentials are considered in scholarship selection and in Morehouse College admission. Selection for a scholarship is a good indication that you may be selected for admission, but it is neither guaranteed nor implied. The NROTC scholarship committee might place more emphasis on leadership potential as evidenced in extracurricular athletics or school government activities. The university might place more emphasis on academic achievement.
Can you offer any hints regarding what the scholarship selection board looks for in making its selections?
  • Yes. The NROTC scholarship selection board holistically evaluates students using criteria including College Board scores, grades, class standing, athletics, participation in extracurricular activities, recommendations, interview results, and perceived potential. We are looking for future leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps. We want well-rounded students who are intelligent enough to excel in academics, athletic enough to meet the physical challenges of military service, and who are personable and dynamic enough to assume roles as military leaders. It is not enough to be only bright, or only athletic, or only personable; it takes a combination of the three qualities to be a successful Naval Officer. Officer candidates must also be of high moral character. Students with criminal records or who have gone beyond experimentation with illegal drugs are not likely officer candidates. Take care in selecting those who will provide written recommendations for you. If a candidate is depicted as being an average run-of-the-mill student, it will detract from the board’s assessment of the individual. The application interview with your local recruiter is also vitally important. Look sharp and present yourself well. College Board scores can be a positive factor for the student, but only insofar as they are supported by actual academic achievement. A student with high SAT or ACT scores, but mediocre grades and class standing, is less desirable than a student with moderate scores and high grades and standing. One is coasting and the other is a hard-working achiever.
If I want to change my first-choice school, who do I tell?
  • You should wait until after you are notified of selection as a scholarship nominee, and then write to the Naval Education and Training Command (Code N1/081), Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL 32508 advising them of your new first-choice school. The instructions for this will be included in your scholarship award letter. NETC is very much dedicated to placing scholarship recipients in their schools of choice, afforded, of course, that the students are admitted to their schools of choice.
I am trying to decide which university to attend. Are there any differences among the various NROTC Units?
  • The naval science curriculum at each school is identical. If there are any apparent differences among NROTC units, they are due to the customs and traditions of the Units, and the personalities of the Unit Staffs, and even the Midshipmen in those Units. The exceptions to this rule are military schools (e.g. SUNY Maritime, Maine Maritime, Texas Maritime, The Citadel, VMI, etc.) and schools with a “corps of cadets” (e.g. Texas A&M and Virginia Tech). My advice would be to choose your university on the basis of its overall reputation in the major of your choice. Look at the reputation of the graduates of the school. You should narrow your choices down to a few, and then visit those campuses (and their NROTC Units) to help you make the final decision.
Who teaches the Naval Science courses?
  • The NROTC staff is composed of active-duty Navy and Marine Corps officers and enlisted personnel. The Naval Science courses are taught by the staff officers. These same officers will double as your NROTC class advisors, providing guidance and assistance, as necessary, in your academic and military pursuits.
What will happen if I decided not to continue in the NROTC program after I have started the sophomore year and incurred an obligation for active duty?
  • There are several reasons and circumstances for leaving the NROTC program. There is no obligation at all if you quit before the sophomore year. If, after the start of the sophomore year, you decide to quit, you will either have to pay back tuition expended or go on active military service in enlisted status immediately if you drop out of college or upon graduation if you stay in college. If a medical problem develops that would preclude you from commissioning, then the obligation would most likely be erased. If you drop from the program because of your own misconduct or aptitude, you could be required to reimburse the Navy for your tuition and book expenditures at the discretion of the Secretary of the Navy.
If I start out as a Marine Option student, can I switch to be a Navy Option student or vice versa?
  • You can attempt to change from one option to the other, but it is not automatic. You must request the change, and both Navy and Marine Corps officials must approve it. The change of option has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Even though it may be a difficult decision right out of high school, students are encouraged to do their research and decide on the option they feel best suits their personal interests and professional goals upfront, rather than attempt to change options later on.
Is the freshmen orientation like a boot camp?
  • Up-to-date information on New Student Indoctrination can be found here. We stress the need for discipline and teamwork, and some people have to adjust their attitude a bit. Orientation is certainly less stressful compared to a real boot- camp, the thirteen weeks of officer candidate school, or to what the service academy freshmen go through for their entire first year. With that said, orientation is not easy. It is physically and mentally demanding. After the initial trauma of the discovery of discipline, most students find orientation to be very rewarding. It is also an excellent opportunity to get to know your freshmen classmates before school starts.
Can you describe how a Midshipman fits into the university?
  • An NROTC Midshipman is a civilian, pursuing his or her own academic degree in a normal university environment, in the same manner as a non-Midshipman would. The only difference is that Midshipmen take a series of Naval Science courses and wear a uniform to class twice a week. Midshipmen are free to join fraternities or sororities and enjoy all aspects of campus life. Our offices and classrooms are just like all other offices and classrooms on campus. You will blend in with and participate in the campus activities of your choice. When you graduate, you will serve with pride as a Navy or Marine Corps officer.
I have no experience with the military; how do I know if I will fit in?
  • You do not know, and neither did any of us who are in the military now. You have to join the program and experience it for yourself. That’s why the first year is without obligation. We are looking for intelligent and physically fit men and women of high moral character who can be trained to assume positions of leadership and great responsibility in the Navy and Marine Corps. If you fit that description, and if you prefer to be a leader rather than a follower, then you owe it to yourself to give it a try.
I’ve heard great things about Project GO. Can I participate in the Morehouse College NROTC Unit?
  • Absolutely. There is an application and selection process each Midshipman or ROTC cadet must complete. Project GO slots are highly competitive, and there are more applicants than there are openings for students. Students can study abroad in many different countries, however, this is usually in lieu of attending valuable Midshipman summer training. The link is here: https://www.rotcprojectgo.org 
 

COLLEGE PROGRAM

Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University students are now eligible for participation in the Morehouse College NROTC Program.

Applications for Navy College Program students for Spring 2021 are due no later than Dec. 1, 2020. 

Applications for Navy College Program students for Fall 2021 will open Jan. 1, 2020, and close July 1, 2021.


Each year students who were not awarded a full NROTC scholarship are provided the opportunity to apply for the NROTC College Program. A college program midshipman does not receive any scholarship benefits or attend summer training, but is otherwise treated and held to the same standards of conduct and involvement as the full scholarship students.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR THE COLLEGE PROGRAM AT NROTC MOREHOUSE COLLEGE?

All applicants must meet the basic requirements for the program. These requirements are summarized below:

  • Applicant must be admitted to or be a current student at Morehouse College, Spelman College, or Clark Atlanta University. There are no exceptions to this policy.
  • Applicant must be an American citizen or be in process of becoming a naturalized American citizen.
  • Applicant must not be older than 27 years old by the time they graduate college and receive their commission. (There are waivers to this policy for students with prior military service.)
  • Applicants already in college must be in their Freshman or Sophomore year.
  • Applicant must meet the Navy height and weight standards and must be able to be physically qualified for admittance into the armed forces.
  • Must pass the Navy Physical Fitness Test.

IF I MEET ALL THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS AM I GUARANTEED ACCEPTANCE INTO THE COLLEGE PROGRAM?

No. Acceptance into the college program is a competitive process. The NROTC staff at Morehouse carefully review each application in order to evaluate whether the candidate has a good chance of successfully completing the program. Ultimately our staff’s goal is to have all admitted college program students be given a two- or three-year scholarship. If a candidate’s application indicates that they have a low possibility of eventually being awarded one of these scholarships then they will not be admitted into the program.

WHAT CREDENTIALS DO I NEED IN ORDER TO MAKE MYSELF A COMPETITIVE CANDIDATE FOR THE NROTC COLLEGE PROGRAM AT MOREHOUSE COLLEGE

We evaluate our applicants using the same criteria as the four-year National Scholarship. In general, successful applicants at Morehouse College (Note that these are not minimum required scores):

  • Participated in a varsity sport in high school and demonstrate exceptional physical fitness
  • Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or greater on 4.0 scale
  • Achieved SAT scores of 1200 or above (math and verbal sections only) or a composite ACT score of 26 or above
  • Have a track record of leadership and participation in extracurricular activities
  • Knowledgeable and motivated about a career in naval service
  • Pursuing or will be pursuing an engineering/technical major (i.e., Tier 1 or Tier 2) or a critical language (e.g., Russian, Arabic, or Chinese, etc.) major. There is no major restriction for Marine College Program applicants.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPLYING FOR THE COLLEGE PROGRAM AT MOREHOUSE COLLEGE?

The application period opens in May and closes in July. College program applications will be evaluated outside this time period only on a case-by-case basis. Students who attend Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University must apply in time to complete the necessary cross-enrollment forms. The deadline for turning in cross-enrollment requests varies from year to year but usually is in July for the Fall and November for the Spring.

A complete application for the Navy College Program will consist of the following:

  • Completed College Program Application
  • Completed Report of Medical History dd2807-1
  • Completed  NROTC AFA Score Sheet (Instructions for fitness assessment are at NROTC AFA Instructions)
  • High school or college transcript (students who have completed one year at the host institution need not submit HS transcripts)
  • An essay (one-page maximum) that answers these questions: “What are your top three URL communities you wish to commission into and why?  If not selected for one of these communities, would you accept your commission?”
  • A copy of score reports for SAT / ACT as applicable
  • Letter of admittance (if not currently enrolled in the University you wish to attend)
  • Candidate “resume” or list of accomplishments
  • Any letters of recommendation (Not required but encouraged)

Completed applications can be sent to the address below or scanned via email to Brenda.Steele@morehouse.edu:

A complete application for the Marine Corps College Program will consist of the following:

  • 1-Instructions
  • 2-Data Sheet – EXAMPLE
  • 3-College Program Application
  • 4-Information Sheet with Privacy Act
  • 5-Atlanta Region – Hold Harmless Agreement

Completed applications can be sent to the address below or scanned via email to Brenda.Steele@morehouse.edu:

ATTN: NROTC Department
Morehouse College
830 Westview Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30314

After reviewing the candidate’s application, our staff will then either invite the candidate in for an interview or deny the application. The interview is conducted by an active duty member of our staff in order to evaluate the candidate’s maturity, confidence, knowledge of the military, and career goals.

Once all interviews are completed candidates are then evaluated against each other and invitations or denials are sent to the candidates.

If a candidate is accepted they are required to go to their family physician to complete a sports physical clearing them for physical activity prior to starting the program. During candidate orientation new midshipmen will be required to perform a Navy physical fitness test. Unsatisfactory results during this test will result in the candidate’s invitation to the college program to be withdrawn.

WHEN DO COLLEGE PROGRAM MIDSHIPMEN BECOME ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS?

At the end of each academic year, college program midshipmen are submitted for a two- or three-year scholarship. If awarded, the two- or three-year scholarship provides the same benefits as the four-year national scholarship for the specified period of time. Candidates for these scholarships are evaluated based on the same criteria as the four-year scholarship students with college GPA and performance as a midshipman playing a huge factor.

Freshmen in college (provided they have achieved less than 30 college credit hours) are eligible to re-apply for the National Four-Year Scholarship even if they were previously denied.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A COLLEGE PROGRAM MIDSHIPMAN IS NEVER AWARDED A SCHOLARSHIP?

All college program students must either be on scholarship or be accepted into the ‘advanced’ college program by the start of their Junior year in school. If not, then the student is required to be dis-enrolled from NROTC. Students in the advanced college program do not receive tuition benefits but do receive a monthly stipend and participate in one summer of training before graduation. Advanced college program students have the same active duty obligation as scholarship students.

Navy ROTC Overview

The NROTC Program was established to develop midshipmen mentally, morally, and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, and loyalty, and with the core values of honor, courage, and commitment in order to commission college graduates as naval officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the naval service and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship, and government.

PROSPECTIVE MIDSHIPMEN

Students who have been awarded a 4-year NROTC scholarship and have been assigned Morehouse College, Spelman College, or Clark Atlanta University will be contacted via email by Morehouse’s scholarship officer in May.

MIDSHIPMEN SCHOLARSHIP STANDINGS

Midshipmen in the Naval ROTC program are either Scholarship students or College Program students.

Scholarship students have their tuition and academic courses paid for in full by the Navy. They also receive a monthly stipend as pay and a book stipend once a semester. Housing pay is not covered by these stipends and falls upon the individual. Uniforms and all required apparel are provided by the Navy as well. Being on scholarship also entails a summer cruise between each year of schooling.

Details on the Scholarship are provided on the Morehouse College NROTC page and the official Navy page.

College Program students do not receive any sort of direct pay for their schooling. These are motivated students that have not yet received a scholarship but still opt to participate fully in the NROTC program.

Details on the College Program are provided at the official Navy page. Frequently asked questions about the college program at Morehouse can be found here.

UNIT OPERATION

Regardless of standing, Scholarship students and College Programmers participate in all ROTC functions throughout each semester.

Drill is held twice a week for one hour. Here, midshipmen learn about all aspects of being Naval Officer. These drill periods can cover close order drill, CO briefs, personal finance, and briefs from fellow midshipmen on their experiences during summer cruise. Drill is not a class and thus requires no registration. However, students can not have a class during this time as attendance at drill is mandatory.

Physical fitness is of the utmost importance to the Navy and Marine Corps. Therefore, every midshipmen must attend at least three PT sessions each week. Once a week, the Battalion meets as a whole for PT. The other two sessions are covered by other groups depending on a few factors. Most midshipmen will PT with their respective divisions twice a week. If midshipmen are lacking in certain physical areas they will be placed on Remedial PT. Remedial is meant specifically to improve overall performance and get midshipmen back to working out with their divisions. Marine Options PT separately in order to prepare for Officer Candidate School and the more rigorous standards that the Marine Corps places on these midshipmen.

MIDSHIPMAN BILLETS

Developing leaders is one of the core missions of the NROTC program. During their time with the Battalion, each midshipman will hold certain billets or jobs to help encourage good leadership for entering the fleet as an officer.

The Battalion is made up of divisions that do certain jobs such as managing tailgates or keeping midshipmen supplied with the proper equipment. Each division is led by a Chief and Division Officer. Divisions are grouped together to form the Administrative, Operations, Training, and Supply departments which are subsequently headed by a Senior Chief, Department Head, and Assistant Department Head. As a whole, the entire Battalion is led by the Midshipman Commanding Officer, the Midshipman Executive Officer, and the Battalion Master Chief.

NEW STUDENT INDOCTRINATION

During the Summer before their first year of college, incoming college freshman from all across the United States will be participating in a physically and mentally challenging New Student Indoctrination (NSI).

This twenty day program is designed to instill Navy ROTC candidates with mental fortitude, courage, and undoubted integrity. They will learn the basics of seamanship, such as firefighting, watchstanding, and marksmanship, as well as working with fellow midshipmen to overcome challenging tasks and persevering in the face of adversity. NSI is an arduous, but rewarding way to begin a career of sustain superior performance fit for a future Naval or Marine Corps Officer.

To learn more, check out the NROTC facebook page or the NSI information page.

COMMANDER’S GUIDANCE

Imperative: Send Warfighters to the Fleet

Mission: Train, lead, and mentor Midshipmen who embody Honor, Courage, and Commitment in preparation for commissioning; who will ultimately lead Sailors and Marines to fight and win our nation’s wars.

Command Pillars:

  • Teamwork.  Our Team is greater than the sum of its parts. Serve each other and want nothing but the best for your shipmates. Your individual accomplishments are made possible by your teammates.
  • Ownership. Take personal responsibility for the performance, the appearance, and the reputation of our Command.  Set high standards and expect high results.  Always comply with policies and procedures, and when in doubt do what the book says.  When something is not right, fix it.  If you make a mistake, own it, improve from it, teach others, and move on.  Posture for success, and execute with style and precision.
  • Professionalism.  We are Naval Officers, Midshipmen, and Professionals 24/7.  As John Paul Jones said, ‘be the soul of tact, patience, justice, firmness, kindness, and charity.’  The foundation of any professional relationship is mutual respect.  Treat everyone, regardless of rank, gender, race, or creed the way you wish to be treated.  As members of the maritime profession of arms, our professional ethic is what guides and steers our actions.
Be the Best Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in everything, every day.

Suicide Prevention
 Veterans Crisis Line 

Sexual Assualt Support
Safe Helpline

SUMMER CRUISE

COMMANDER, NAVAL SERVICE TRAINING COMMAND’S WELCOME ABOARD VIDEO

NAVY/MARINE OPTION THIRD CLASS CRUISE

Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID)

During the summer between their freshman and sophomore year, scholarship midshipmen participate in a month-long active-duty program of CORTRAMID. The program is designed to give midshipmen an exposure to all the major communities of naval service and to understand how all the various parts interact and cooperate to form the total force structure of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

The first week consists of orientation within the aviation community where midshipmen gain experience by being assigned to active duty squadrons and by completing basic training for backseat qualification in various naval aircraft. Many midshipmen are given the opportunity to spend time in various simulators. Qualified midshipmen are often given flights in naval aircraft and even get some stick time.

The second week consists of training and orientation relating to the submarine community. This includes time underway on afloat units where midshipmen gain experience in submarine operations. An overnight stay aboard a submarine at sea is included in this week. Midshipmen are also introduced to submarine simulators and torpedo attack simulators.

The third week provides insight into the surface community. Midshipmen are given training in ship handling, navigation, and surface ship operation. This week also includes underway time on afloat surface units. There are trainers for fighting and water leaks. These three weeks provide a great opportunity to use state of the art simulators, and training modules.

The final week is Marine Week, a physically and mentally challenging week where midshipmen learn and carry out the primary function of the Marine Corps, projection of power ashore. This week is packed with exhibitions of firepower and activities such as storming a beach, attacking a city, and going on patrol through the woods. You are issued an M-16 and held accountable for it.

This experience should give midshipmen an idea of the type of naval community they would like to enter.

NAVY OPTION SECOND CLASS CRUISE

Enlisted Cruise

During the summer between the sophomore and junior year, scholarship midshipmen go on an active-duty enlisted cruise and experience life as an enlisted member of naval units. This experience familiarizes the midshipmen with ship operation and gives them an appreciation for the enlisted men and women that they will eventually lead as commissioned officers. Midshipmen live and work alongside an enlisted running mate that will show the midshipman the ropes of life aboard afloat units. These cruises can be on any type of surface ship or submarine in any part of the world.

MARINE OPTION SECOND CLASS CRUISE

Mountain Warfare Training

Marine Option midshipmen on scholarship will go to the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadow, California. Here they will participate in a two-week terrain appreciation course. During this time, midshipmen will perform hikes and tactical exercises. The experience at Mountain Warfare is designed to prepare you for Officer Candidate School.

NAVY OPTION FIRST CLASS CRUISE

Officer Cruise

During the summer between the junior and senior years, scholarship and advanced standing Navy midshipmen are assigned to active-duty Navy units. Assignments are available on surface ships, on submarines, with both shore-based and aircraft carrier embarked air squadrons, with Special Warfare units, as well as aboard vessels of foreign allied navies on a competitive basis. The midshipman serves in the capacity of a junior officer in their unit with all of the rights and responsibilities thereof. They interact closely and live with the officers of their unit. This includes training, watch-standing, ship-handling, flight planning and operations (for aviation cruises), and many other learning opportunities. Many midshipmen use this cruise to make their final decision about service selection.

Sea Trials

 

MARINE OPTION FIRST CLASS CRUISE

Officer Candidate School

All Marine Option midshipmen will attend the 6-week long bulldog course at Officer Candidate School, Quantico, VA. Everything these midshipmen have prepared for will be put to the test during this grueling six-week screening course. A future Marine officer must pass OCS before commissioning. It is of the utmost importance for Marine Option midshipmen to spend time preparing for this course.

SCHOLARSHIPS

In order to attend Morehouse College on a Naval ROTC scholarship, you must successfully complete two separate and unrelated application processes; one for scholarship consideration and one for the school itself. Again, applying for the scholarship itself does not apply for any colleges, and acceptance to the Naval ROTC program does not guarantee acceptance to its host colleges. In order to apply for any of the Naval ROTC scholarship programs, you must fill out an application, which can be obtained online here http://www.navy.com/careers/nrotc/. For more information regarding the NROTC scholarship application, please visit the following Naval Education and Training Command website: https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be considered eligible for Naval ROTC scholarship programs, the applicant must meet all of the following general criteria:

  • Must be a United States citizen
  • Be 17 years old by September 1 of the first year of college and younger than 23 on June 30 of the year in which you are eligible for graduation and commissioned status. An age waiver may be granted for prior active military service.
  • Be a high school graduate or possess an equivalency certificate by Aug. 1 of the same year that entrance into the four-year NROTC Program is anticipated.
  • Be physically qualified by Navy or Marine Corps standards.
  • Have no moral obligations or personal convictions that will prevent conscientious bearing of arms and supporting and defending of the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic.
  • Apply for and gain admission to Naval ROTC colleges. Admission to a Naval ROTC institution is not required during the selection process. However, notification of admission must be received before the scholarship can be activated.
  • Achieve qualifying scores on the SAT or the ACT or the AFQT for Marine Options. Up-to-date qualifying score information can be found here: https://www.nrotc.navy.mil/eligibility_requirements.html


Besides these official criteria, the student must be willing to commit themselves to a very difficult and challenging academic environment. Midshipmen must maintain high standards of moral behavior, academic performance, and physical fitness to keep their scholarships. Students must strive to become beneficial members of the Naval ROTC Battalion of Midshipmen.

BENEFITS

A Naval ROTC scholarship covers the cost of all tuition,  fees, and uniforms. Scholarship midshipmen are also paid a subsistence allowance that increases each year. Freshmen receive $250 every month in two bi-weekly payments. Each successive year the allowance increases by $50, sophomores receiving $300, juniors $350, and seniors $400. Scholarship midshipmen also receive $375 each semester for book expenses.

TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS

The limits of an NROTC scholarship depend on the type of scholarship awarded. Here is a quick overview of the various scholarships. The minimum payback is five years of active duty service. Additional service obligation may be required based on specific job requirements (e.g. Aviation).

Scholarship benefits can be extended, on a limited basis, beyond the standard four-year term for major programs that take longer to complete. Extension of benefits beyond the original four-year allotment requires an extension of the active-duty commitment following graduation and commissioning. Application for extended benefits is made during the first semester of the senior year.


National 4-Year Scholarship
The basic scholarship, where the Navy pays full tuition, costs of textbooks, college fees, and $250 a month, with an unconstrained choice of Naval ROTC school and choice of study. While the 4 Year Scholarship is designed for incoming Freshmen students, correct college students may apply with up to 30 hours college credit. To apply for the 4-Year National Scholarship, contact your local NROTC Scholarship Coordinator and fill out the application online: www.nrotc.navy.mil

National 2-Year and 3-Year Scholarships
A limited number of 2-Year and 3-Year NROTC Scholarships are available for students already attending an NROTC host school. The basic eligibility requirements are the same as those for the National 4-Year Scholarship, however, your college academic record is the primary evaluation tool vice your high school grades. All eligible students attending a host university may apply and there is no requirement to have had previously participated in our college program or to have participated in any NROTC activities. More information on how to apply for 2-Year and 3-Year Scholarships is available here.

College Program
These are four and two-year non-subsidized programs, with the Navy paying for uniforms, books, and instructional fees required for naval science courses. Between their junior and senior year, college program students can apply for advanced standing; if selected they will receive $250 a month for a maximum of 20 months for the two-year program. The minimum payback is 3 years of active duty. To apply for the College Program, contact the Morehouse NROTC Office directly.

College Program Boards meet throughout the academic year with the cut off date of January 31st 2024. The Navy ROTC scholarship application deadline for high school students graduating in 2024 is January 31, 2024.

NROTC Board dates are currently:

  • 16-20 October 2023
  • 13-16 November 2023
  • 11-15 December 2023
  • 8-12 January 2023
  • 22-26 January 2024
  • 5-9 February 2024
  • 20-23 February 2024
  • 4-8 March 2024
  • 18-22 March 2024
  • 8-12 April 2024
  • 22-26 April 2023 (Backup)

Results from the board dates listed above are announced normally two weeks after the board concludes. Note that some of the listed boards may not be held.

NATIONAL 2 YEAR AND 3 YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS

Two- and three-year NROTC scholarships are awarded competitively by a national scholarship selection board each summer. Students do not need to be currently participating in the NROTC program in order to apply for two- and three-year scholarships.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • U.S. citizenship or naturalized citizen.
  • Not less than 17 years old by Sept. 1 of year the scholarship is effective and no more than 23 on December 31 of that year.
  • Must not have reached 27th birthday by December 31 of year in which graduation and commissioning are anticipated.
  • Applicants with prior military service may be eligible for age adjustments for an amount of time equal to their prior service, on a month-by-month basis, for a maximum of 36 months, if they will not reach their 30th birthday by December 31 of the year in which graduation and commissioning are anticipated.
  • No moral obligations or personal convictions that prevent conscientious bearing of arms and supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, or to taking an oath to perform such acts.
  • Must meet Navy Body Composition Assessment (BCA) standards.
  • Must not have any body piercing or tattoos that violate Navy policy.
  • Active duty Navy applicants are ineligible to apply for NROTC program. Active members of other branches of the military may apply if granted a conditional release.
  • Must be within two or three years of estimated graduation/commissioning date.
  • Must have at least at least 30 semester hours but no more than 120 semester hours.
  • Must have a minimum college GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Must be admitted to a school affiliated with the ROTC Unit from which they are being nominated.
  • Students may apply for only one of two programs options; Navy or Nurse (not open to Marine Option).

APPLICATION PROCESS (FOR STUDENTS NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN NROTC PROGRAM)

All completed scholarship applications must be submitted to the unit no later than May 31 each year and must contain the following documents:

  • Applicant Letter
  • Applicant Personal Data Record
  • NROTC AFA Score Sheet
  • Current College Transcripts (including Spring semester grades)
  • Letter of admittance (if not currently enrolled in the University you wish to attend).
  • Degree Plan (Semester by Semester plan including all NROTC classes that shows student will graduate at the end of 2/3 years as applicable.)
  • Statement of Understanding
  • Drug Statement
  • Debarment Statement
  • An essay that answers these questions: “What are your top 3 URL communities you wish to commission into and why? If not selected for one of these communities, would you accept your commission?”
  • Letters of Reference

The documents listed above are available for download on the Navy’s NROTC website.

Completed scholarship applications can be sent to the NROTC Scholarship Officer at Morehouse College by mail at the following address or via email to Brenda.Steele@morehouse.edu

ATTN: NROTC Department
NROTC Scholarship Officer

Morehouse College
830 Westview Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30314

You are encouraged to follow up by contacting the NROTC office at Morehouse College to verify that your completed package has been received. Do not assume your application is completed and has been submitted to the selection board unless you have been specifically told so by the scholarship officer. Once an application package has been reviewed the unit may schedule an in-person interview with one of the active-duty staff members. All interviews must be completed before June 30th in order for the applicant to be considered.

The scholarship selection board meets in July and applicants will know the results of the board by early August.

CAREERS

NAVY OPTION SERVICE ASSIGNMENT

Approximately six to nine months before graduation Navy Option midshipmen supply the Navy with a list of ranked preferences. According to the midshipman’s overall performance and ranking (both academic and military) and the needs of the Navy assignments to the following warfare communities are made.


 

SUBMARINE OFFICER

Learn more about Submarine Officer

Learn more about the Naval Service Training Command’s programs

NAVAL AVIATOR

Learn more about Naval Aviator

Learn more about Naval Flight Officer 

SURFACE WARFARE OFFICER

Learn more about Surface Warfare Officer

 

SPECIAL WARFARE (SEALS)

Learn more about Special Warfare (SEALs)

 

EXPLOSIVE ORDINANCE DISPOSAL (EOD)

Learn more about Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD)

 

MARINE OPTION MILITARY OCCUPATION SPECIALTY

Approximately six months after graduation Marine Option midshipmen attend The Basic School (TBS). During this six-month training school, Marine Officers will list their preferences for Military Occupation Specialty (MOS). Marine Options will have the opportunity to receive a flight contract during their time in Naval ROTC. Otherwise, newly commissioned Marine Officers will compete for their MOS at TBS after graduation.

 

STAFF


CAPT Jesus A. Rodriguez

COMMANDING OFFICER

Captain Rodriguez, a native of El Paso, Texas, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. He earned his aviator wings in 1997 and completed fleet replacement training at Helicopter Combat Support Squadron THREE (HC-3) in San Diego, before being assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron FIVE (HC-5) in Yigo, Guam.

His first sea tour flying the CH-46 included deployments on the USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) as Division Officer and USNS Flint (T-AE 32) where he served as detachment Assistant Officer-in-Charge.

In 2001, he reported as Flag Aide to Commander U.S. Naval Forces Marianas/U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Regional Coordinator and PACOM representative for Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

After completing MH-60S Knighthawk training in 2004, Captain Rodriguez reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO EIGHT (HSC-28) and helped transition the squadron from CH-46 Flight Operations to MH-60S Flight Operations.

In 2006, Captain Rodriguez reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO TWO (HSC-22) and deployed aboard USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3) as Officer-in-Charge of HSC-22’s first detachment. He continued to serve as Operations and Maintenance Officer before transferring to the United States Naval War College in 2009. In 2013, he took command of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO SIX (HSC-26) and in 2014 he reported to FIFTH FLEET as the Expeditionary Helo Boss. From 2014 to 2016, he served as Directorate Coordinator for Combined Joint Operations from the Sea, a NATO Center of Excellence. In June of 2016, he served as the executive officer for Pre-Commissioning Unit Portland and took command of USS PORTLAND in September 2018. In December of 2019, he was the Chief Of Staff for Expeditionary Strike Group THREE before taking command of Amphibious Squadron FIVE in June of 2020.  He is currently serving as the Professor of Naval Science at the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Atlanta Consortium leading midshipmen at Georgia Tech and Morehouse.

Captain Rodriguez received a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and his awards include the Legion of Merit Medal(2), Navy Meritorious Service Medal (3), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2), and Navy Achievement Medal.


 

MAJOR MYRON J. THOMAS, USMC

EXECUTIVE OFFICER | Marine Officer Instructor

Major Myron J. Thomas was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up there and also in St. Louis, Missouri.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1999, and attended recruit training at MCRD San Diego, California. After graduation in November of 1999, Major Thomas attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California, and then reported to Financial Management School in Camp Johnson, North Carolina.

Upon graduation, Major Thomas reported to 2D Force Service Support Group where he served as a fiscal budget technician and comptroller until 2003. From 2003 to 2005, Major Thomas served as a Financial Manager and Resource Analyst at the Marine Corps Mobilization Command and subsequently at Defense Finance and Accounting Services, Kansas City, Missouri. In his subsequent assignment, Major Thomas served as the Regional Account Manager for Reserve Financial Affairs and as the physical training and martial arts instructor for the Mobilization Command.

Following the duty at Marine Corps Mobilization Command and Defense Finance and Accounting Services, Major Thomas was ordered to 3rd Marines Regiment and served as the Financial Analyst and Budget Chief for the Regiment from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, Major Thomas departed for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program.

Major Thomas was assigned as a student at the University of Missouri-Columbia under the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program from 2007-2010. Upon graduation from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelors in Finance, he attended The Basic School and subsequently Infantry Officer’s Course. In October 2011 he reported to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, and was assigned as a Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer for Company C. During this tour, he completed two deployments to Sangin, Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

From August 2014 to April 2017, he served as the Company Commander for Company B, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West in Camp Pendleton, California. Upon his relief in 2017, Major Thomas was transferred to 2D Battalion, 1st Marines for duty as the Headquarters and Service Company Commander. Prior to deployment on the Unit Deployment Program-West 18.1 to Okinawa, Japan, Major Thomas became the Company Commander for Company F, where he participated in Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Brunei, Exercise Tiger Strike, and Fuji Viper.

From August 2018 to July of 2021, Major Thomas executed orders as the Charlie Company Inspector-Instructor, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion located in Riverton, Utah. During that duty, he prepared the company to conduct Integrated Training Exercise 4-19 deploying them to Twenty-nine Palms, California and assumed duties as the company commander for several high-profile training events.

In July 2021 Major Thomas assumed the duties of the Executive Officer Naval ROTC Unit Atlanta Consortium.

Major Thomas is a graduate of the University of Missouri in 2010.  His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two) with Combat “V” with gold star, the Combat Action Ribbon, and other personal, campaign, and service ribbons.


STUDENT ADVISORS

FRESHMAN ADVISER: LT  Stephen Ward

LT Ward was born and raised in Dallas, TX. He attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Operations Research. Following graduation, LT Ward earned his Master of Science in Operations Research at the Naval Postgraduate School as part of the Bowman Scholar Program. He then attended Nuclear Power School and achieved initial watch officer qualifications at Nuclear Prototype Training Unit Charleston.

His first tour was onboard the PCU Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795), homeported at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, CT. During his time onboard the Rickover, he led watchteams in the completion of all engineering testing phases from initial fill through initial nuclear reactor physics testing of the pre-commissioned unit. Onboard the Rickover, he served as the Electrical Assistant, Main Propulsion Assistant, Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant, Information Warfare Officer, Operational Safety Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, and Assistant Engineer. As the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant he established initial chemistry controls in the propulsion plant and oversaw the implementation of radiological controls for the ship upon initial criticality of the reactor.

In October 2022, LT Ward transferred to NROTC Morehouse, where he became an Assistant Professor of Naval Science: teaching two courses in Naval Engineering and Naval Weapons.

His personal decorations include the Navy Achievement Medal (three awards).

Contact:
Email: stephen.ward@morehouse.edu
Phone: (470) 639-0547


SOPHOMORE ADVISER: LT. Colin Sheehan

LT Colin Sheehan is from Rochester Hills, Michigan, and graduated from the Olivet College 2016 with a Bachelor of Art degree in Insurance and Rick Management. After commissioning through OCS, he reported to NAS Pensacola to begin Naval Aviation flight training and earned his Wings of Gold in 2018.

LT Sheehan’s first sea tour was with the Tridents of Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron Twenty Six (VP-26) flying the P8A Poseidon. While attached to VP-26, he served as the squadron’s Airframes Branch Officer and Public Affairs Officer. He completed multiple deployments with VP-26 to El Salvador in support of Anti-Drug trafficking and Kadena in support of 7th fleet actions in the South China Sea.

In August 2022, LT Sheehan joined NROTC Atlanta Region as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science at Morehouse College. He serves as an advisor for NROTC sophomores and aspiring Student Naval Aviators and Student Naval Flight Officers.

Contact:
Email: colin.sheehan@morehouse.edu


UPPERCLASSMAN ADVISER: LT CHELSEY CURNEY | SURFACE WARFARE OFFICER

Lieutenant Chelsey Curney, a native of Decatur, Georgia, joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Florida A&M University in 2012.  She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Florida A&M University and was commissioned in 2016.

After commissioning, LT Curney reported to the USS COMSTOCK (LSD 45), where she was assigned to the Operations Department as the Combat Information Center Officer (CICO) and Engineering where she served as the Repair Division Officer (RDO). While onboard COMSTOCK, she earned her Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) designation and deployed once in support of Operation Alligator Dagger and Operation Keen Sword.

In 2019, LT Curney reported to USS WASP (LHD 1) as the Assistant Damage Control Assistant (ADCA) and also serves as the Assistant Senior Watch Officer (A-SWO). After Forward Deploying to Sasebo, Japan in 7th Fleet, she completed multiple operational patrols in support of F-35B Marine Corps Strike operations, Exercise Balikatan with the Philippine Navy, and Exercise Talisman Saber with our Australia and Japan partners. While homeport shifting to Norfolk, she conducted South American operations and exercises with Argentina, El Salvador, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil.

LT Curney is stationed in Atlanta, Georgia at Morehouse College as an NROTC Instructor. She currently serves as the Junior and Senior Class Advisor. Her personal award includes the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Contact:
Email: chelsey.curney@morehouse.edu
Phone: (470) 639-0446


ASSISTANT MARINE OFFICER INSTRUCTOR: GYSGT DOMINIQUE YOUNG

 

 

 

 

Contact:
Email: Dominique.young@morehouse.edu
Phone: (470) 639-0639


Administrative Assistant: BRENDA STEELE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact:
Email: brenda.steele@morehouse.edu
Phone: (470) 639-0258


 

 

View the NROTC Unit Directory on Zeemaps.

MARINE PROGRAM

The mission of the United States Marine Corps:

  • The seizure or defense of advanced naval bases and other land operations to support naval campaigns;
  • The development of tactics, technique, and equipment used by amphibious landing forces in coordination with the Army and Air Force; and
  • Such other duties as the President may direct.

The Marine Platoon at the Naval ROTC unit at Georgia Tech is designed to prepare officers who can lead Marines in order to accomplish these missions. Marine Option midshipmen from the Georgia Tech unit and the Morehouse College unit come together to form the NROTC Atlanta Marine Platoon. For more information visit our website at nrotcatlantamarines.org.