Prospective Students | Notre Dame Naval ROTC

Notre Dame NROTC Battalion Training on Campus

The Notre Dame Naval ROTC unit develops mature young men and women for leadership and command positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps. Operating as a premier officer accession point, the program provides world-class military training while allowing students to experience a traditional, vibrant college environment.

Our battalion is comprised of over 100 midshipmen drawing from the unique academic alliance of the University of Notre Dame, Holy Cross College, and Saint Mary’s College.

Our Mission

“To develop midshipmen mentally, morally, and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, loyalty, and the core values of honor, courage, and commitment. We commission college graduates as naval officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the naval service, and have the potential to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship, and government.”

Service Commissioning & Career Paths

Upon successful completion of the undergraduate curriculum and NROTC requirements, midshipmen are formally commissioned into the United States Armed Forces. Senior-year midshipmen submit their service assignment preferences and are notified of their selection track early in their final year.

United States Navy (Unrestricted Line)

Navy Option (Ensign)

Navy-option midshipmen graduate and commission as Ensigns in the United States Navy. The unit prepares midshipmen exclusively for Unrestricted Line Officer communities, which command the operational fleets of the Navy:

Naval Aviation (Pilots and Naval Flight Officers)
Surface Warfare (Conventional and Nuclear Fleet)
Submarine Warfare (Nuclear Propulsion)
Naval Special Warfare (SEAL Officers)
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD Officers)

United States Marine Corps

Marine Option (2nd Lieutenant)

Marine-option midshipmen graduate and commission as Second Lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps. Renowned worldwide for leadership and determination, Marine officers operate dynamic missions across air, land, and sea.

Training Pipeline: All Marine candidates must successfully complete the rigorous six-week Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, VA, prior to graduation.

Upon commissioning, Second Lieutenants report to The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, VA, to master leadership fundamentals and compete for their specific Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

Choose Your Path to Commissioning

There are three primary avenues to join the Notre Dame NROTC Battalion, depending on your current academic standing and career goals. Review the baseline Official NROTC Enrollment Requirements to see if you qualify.

Option

4-Year National Scholarship

Designed for high school seniors preparing to enter college. This highly competitive national scholarship covers full tuition, mandatory fees, a textbook stipend, and a monthly subsistence allowance.

Explore Scholarship Requirements →

NROTC Preparatory Program (NPP)

A specialized five-year track designed to enhance the academic, moral, and physical foundations of promising STEM applicants. Candidates spend a fully funded preparatory academic year at Holy Cross College before activating their traditional 4-Year NROTC Scholarship.

Explore NPP Track →

Option

College Program

Tailored for current or incoming Tri-Campus undergraduate students who do not currently hold a national scholarship but are highly motivated to earn a commission. College Program students participate fully in the battalion and compete for two- or three-year naval scholarships or Advanced Standing contracts while on campus.

Explore College Program →

(Note for Enlisted Personnel: Active-duty Navy and Marine Corps members seeking a path to a college degree and a commission via STA-21 or MECEP are highly encouraged to contact the unit Recruiting Officer or Marine Officer Instructor, as well as the Notre Dame Office of Military and Veterans Affairs for admissions guidance.)