Rutgers, Navy Establish New Jersey's Only NROTC Program

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Rutgers President Richard L. McCormick and U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus

No universities or colleges currently offer the program in New Jersey, which last hosted a NROTC unit in 1972. Rutgers long as offered Army and Air Force ROTC programs. Graduates are commissioned second lieutenants in their respective service branches during ceremonies held in May.

NROTC graduates taking the Navy Option will be commissioned ensigns with a minimum commitment of five years of active military service (four for nurses in the Navy Nursing Corps). The NROTC Marine Corps option leads to commissioning as a second lieutenant with a minimum commitment of four years on active duty.

Rutgers’ Board of Governors set the stage for the NROTC program in October 2011 when it approved establishment of an academic Department of Naval Science staffed by naval personnel and offering a four-year course of naval science instruction beginning this fall. The new academic department was a provision set forth by the secretary for approval of Rutgers’ application to bring the NROTC to New Brunswick.

“Rutgers is delighted to start the Naval Science program on the New Brunswick Campus and honored to offer a Naval ROTC experience to New Jersey students,” McCormick said. “The program will provide outstanding scholarship and career opportunities for those who enroll and prepare selected men and women for commissioned service in the United States Navy or Marine Corps.”

“I am pleased we are bringing professional military education and training to diverse, world-class educational environments like Rutgers,” Mabus said. “While this is a great opportunity for the Navy, Rutgers faculty, students and surrounding communities will benefit from the unique opportunity to know firsthand the pride, professionalism and versatility of our Sailors and Marines.”

The secretary, who noted Rutgers’ diverse student population and strong reputation in engineering and the sciences, called Rutgers a good fit for the Navy and Marine Corps as the service branches seek to meet global challenges during a time of increasing technological demands.

The NROTC program develops young men and women morally, mentally and physically, and instills in them the highest ideals of honor, courage and commitment. The program educates and trains students for leadership positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps.