“Naval ROTC is a challenging program at NC State that requires students to be pushed to their limits while crafting fine future Navy and Marine Corps officers and leaders.”

MIDN 3/C Whalen writes, “I think NROTC is an excellent opportunity that challenges you to improve yourself in every different way. You are expected to meet high standards, but you also get the support and resources to actually reach them.”

MIDN 2/C Hood writes, “NROTC at NC State builds you up to be the best officer you can be. You’ll develop not only physically, but also as a leader and a member of a team.”

MIDN 1/ C Carlton writes, “Since joining NROTC, I’ve gained a clear sense of direction for my future. Before the program, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after graduation. Now, I’ve discovered a passion and am part of a group that constantly pushes me to grow into the best version of myself, both mentally and physically.”

MIDN 3/C Harris writes, “I feel I’ve gained a lot of confidence that I never had before joining NROTC. NROTC has inspired me to face challenges head-on, improve myself both mentally and physically, and build a community with the people I am surrounded by. Additionally, I have had opportunities to travel and see amazing places that other students don’t have.”

MIDN 1/C Sweeter writes, “PT and Leadership Lab are the most exciting and involved parts of ROTC. I get to hear from incredible speakers, do entertaining leadership training, and practice mental toughness during PT. Even though it may be early, I still wake up with excitement to be able to train with the family I have made here.”

MIDN 3/C Rose writes, “I love the camaraderie that I have formed with other people who have the same goal of becoming a Naval Officer. Throughout this program I have experienced things I would have never dreamed of having as a kid. Things like talking to admirals, being in submarines, aircraft, and surface ships and see how they work.”

MIDN 3/C Harris writes, “NROTC has provided me with many things to be proud of, such as graduating NSI, competing in exhibition drill, and doing color guard for sports events; however, the thing I am most proud of is the fact that I get to pride myself on being in a group with like-minded people who believe in something larger than themselves.”

MIDN 1/C Adler writes, “I’m proud of a couple of things including my physical and academic performance over the last three years which have improved steadily due to the discipline that has been instilled in me from this program. I have also benefited greatly from the saying “join the Navy, see the world” through two international summer cruises and other training opportunities offered across the US that the Navy has paid for me to attend such as a submarine familiarization in Pearl Harbor, HI, a drill meet in New Orleans, LA, and being an NSI Instructor in Great Lakes, IL just to name a few.”

MIDN 1/C Pelton writes, “One of the main things that confuses people, especially my 90 year old Grandma, is that the only time we get deployed is during the summer cruises. Every other time we are normal college students working towards our degree and eventually commissioning as officers after graduation.”

MIDN 3/C Campbell writes, “TA lot of people such as my friends and family think that my entire college life/experience is consumed by ROTC. They don’t realize that ROTC is a time commitment like any other, where aside from that handful of hours a week I am a normal college student.”

MIDN 3/C Jackson writes, “I balance ROTC and college by prioritizing my tasks and tackling the most important ones first. Using an agenda helps me plan my day effectively and ensures I still have time to relax and take care of myself.”

MIDN 2/C Wrigley writes, “The best two pieces of advice I can give on balancing both academics and ROTC are to be smart about your commitments and build a strong support system. Limit your non-essential extracurricular activities and don’t be afraid to say no. Make friends outside of ROTC and take advantage of the resources the school provides.”

MIDN 1/C Anderson writes, “Think of ROTC and school like an 8-to-5 job. Knock out all your work during the “working hours” of the day so you’re not scrambling late at night. Then give yourself a couple hours in the evening to actually relax. By 2200, you should be winding down and laying down so you can actually get quality sleep. That way, waking up early doesn’t feel brutal. Treat sleep like any other requirement, because it is a key part of your performance, not optional.”

MIDN 3/C Whalen writes, “I try to do as much of my schoolwork as possible between classes so that I have a more manageable amount of work to do during the evening, therefore allowing me to get a full night’s rest.”

MIDN 2/C Stevens writes, “Each freshman dorm building has their pros and cons. I really liked the tri-towers because they were close to our student union, the gym, Reynolds Coliseum, and dining halls. After your first year, there are plenty of nice apartments on Hillsborough street and a couple on Western Blvd and Greek circle. All of these apartments are nice and close to campus.”

MIDN 2/C Lillich writes, “The best place to live is the place that makes the most sense for you, financially and locationally. First year all of the dorms are fairly similar, but after that there is a variety. All of the apartments near Hillsborough Street are good options and are close to campus. However, if you are an engineering student it might make sense to live closer to centennial campus.”

MIDN 1/C Adler writes, “Unfortunately, the NROTC scholarship does not pay for everything, however, it pays for quite a bit. When it comes to school, they will either cover tuition or housing but between the summer cruise pay, monthly stipend, and other payouts, I don’t find it very difficult to cover my cost of education and living. Additionally, I use student loans, other scholarships, and working part time to fund whatever the Navy does not cover.”

MIDN 2/C Hood writes, “NROTC doesn’t cover everything, but it does cover quite a bit. You can either get tuition or housing paid for with the scholarship, but you also get a monthly stipend, book stipend, and pay for summer cruises. With all of those benefits I am able to use other scholarships to fill the gaps.”

MIDN 2/C Wrigley writes, “Physical readiness goes beyond PT and staying active. Make sure you take care of your body by eating right and maintaining a proper sleep schedule. This will allow your body to rest and recover for future challenges.”

Midshipman 1/C Duval writes, “Training for ROTC should start with finding a routine that works for you and helps you improve. If you ever feel overwhelmed, creating a planned schedule can make it easier to incorporate exercises that fit your goals. This way, when you show up to an event, you can demonstrate the progress you’ve made. Physical readiness is an important part of personal development and helps you grow as a leader.”

MIDN 3/C Jackson writes, “I chose the Navy because I have had multiple family members who have served and I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

MIDN 3/C Rose writes, “I chose the Navy because it’s the only branch that offers career opportunities in Nuclear Engineering, which is what I want to pursue, and it also gives me the chance to serve on submarines.”

MIDN 1/C Sweeter writes, “At first I joined for a way to pay for college, and there’s no shame in that. But I quickly realized that I had found my family here and it soon became the reason I stayed. I soon discovered that no matter what I did or where I served in the Navy, I would always find like-minded people and new challenges.”

MIDN 1/C Duval writes, “I initially joined ROTC because I knew I wanted to join the Marine Corps and improve as a leader, and what better way than to get school paid for in the process. I stayed, realizing there’s no better feeling than knowing you’re working towards a commissioning that will ultimately change the lives of your peers and subordinates.”

MIDN 2/C Stevens writes, “Yes, you have plenty of time to be a “regular” college student. NROTC is like being in a club or playing a sport, you have commitments but it’s not 24/7. I focus on time management the most because that allows me to be able to have time for classes, get all my homework done, hang out with friends, go to the gym, and do everything else a “regular” college student does. Most of our time commitments are in the morning, so they don’t take up much of your day.”

MIDN 2/C Lillich writes, “Absolutely, with good time management I can fulfill all of the ROTC requirements while having time to socialize and meet new people. There are plenty of clubs and organizations that you can join, and that many people in the battalion are a part of. They provide a great opportunity to interact with students outside the battalion and do things other than ROTC.”

MIDN 1/C Pelton writes, “ROTC requires a lot of additional time commitment and early mornings, but the scholarship and the guaranteed job make it worth it.”

MIDN 3/C Campbell writes, “ROTC has to fit everyone’s schedule, which usually means early mornings. Waking up early on a Tuesday or Wednesday isn’t always fun, but the people around you in ROTC make it totally worth it.”