FAQs

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) is a scholarship based commissioning program. Individuals in the program (midshipman) receive full tuition scholarships and are commissioned as officers in either the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps.

Scholarship students receive a full tuition scholarship as well as a book stipend of $375 at the beginning of each semester. Scholarship students also receive a monthly stipend to help cover living expenses. Freshmen receive $250, sophomores receive $300, juniors receive $350, and seniors receive $400 per month.  Non-NM Resident students receive room & board benefits of the standard double occupancy dorm room on-campus and the “Lobo Unlimited” meal plan.

The usual service commitment for NROTC graduates is at least five years on active duty after commissioning depending on warfare community joined.

While both are means of being commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy, NROTC gives individuals a traditional college experience unlike the more regimented lifestyle of the Naval Academy.

Yes, scholarship students attend additional training during the summer. This training, termed "Cruise", puts midshipman onto Navy bases and ships and provides more hands-on experience.

The college program is a way for non-scholarship students to participate in the unit while working towards earning a scholarship. Apply for the program by contacting the unit directly and submitting a college program application. 

The UNM NROTC is open to students attending the University of New Mexicoas well as those attending Central New Mexico Community College. Midshipmen must attend Naval Science classes on UNM’s main campus in Albuquerque several times a week.

Those still in high school may apply for a scholarship online via the national NROTC website.

Individuals in college with less than 90 credit hours may apply for a 2 or 3 year scholarship through the NROTC Unit.

Individuals in high school may apply for an NROTC scholarship and select UNM as one of the colleges they wish to attend. Individuals will also have to apply for and be accepted by the college they choose.

Individuals in college with less than 90 credit hours can join by applying for a 2 or 3 year scholarship through the Unit.

Those who did not receive a National NROTC scholarship may apply for the college program directly through the unit.

The University of New Mexico has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Therefore there are additional NROTC scholarship opportunities to students wishing to attend UNM. The US Navy option Minority Serving Institute Scholarship Reservation (MSISR) and USMC option Pedro De Valle for are additional opportunities to earn a commission. These scholarships are identical to the National scholarship and are open to applicants of any gender, race, or ethnic background. Contact the NROTC unit directly to apply (see additional links below).

OCS commissions individuals as officers after they have already attended college and received their degrees. NROTC is during college and, in turn, pays for college tuition, unlike OCS.

Beyond normal classes, midshipmen attend multiple Physical Training (PT) sessions per week, a Naval Science class, and a weekly two hour drill and leadership lab period. The unit also offers many extracurricular activities including but not limited to Rifle and Pistol team, Drill Team, Competition Color Guard, Endurance Team, and Intramural Sports.


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