GREAT LAKES -- The Navy and Princeton University will bring the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program back to Princeton later this year.
Under a new crosstown agreement among the Navy, Princeton and Rutgers University, NROTC active duty Navy and Marine Corps instructors will lead and teach Princeton NROTC midshipmen on the Rutgers or Princeton campus, providing an opportunity for Princeton students to earn a commission in the United States Navy and Marine Corps through the NROTC program.
Under an agreement that became effective on Jan. 31, Princeton students may participate in the NROTC college-option program beginning next fall. Students may apply for two or three-year scholarships as they become available. For high school students who have already applied to Princeton for the fall semester of 2014, applications for 4-year NROTC scholarships are due Feb. 15.
NROTC was initially established at Princeton in 1945 and remained active until 1971. The establishment of the crosstown NROTC unit with Rutgers represents its return to campus for the first time since 1971.
"The formation of an NROTC crosstown unit at Princeton reestablishes a naval presence at another of our country's premier schools," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "The partnership between the Navy and Princeton will only serve to enhance and strengthen our respective institutions and contribute to the success of both this great nation and our Navy."
"We are very pleased to be able to provide our students with the opportunity to participate in Naval ROTC," said Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber. "I have heard from many alumni about how important this program was in their lives. I am glad that this generation of students will have access to the kinds of training that the program provides and to the kinds of leadership positions for which it will prepare them."
The Princeton NROTC midshipmen will be part of the NROTC unit at Rutgers, which was established in March of 2012. Initially, Princeton students will attend NROTC courses and drill periods at Rutgers, while completing their degrees at Princeton.
"Princeton University has a reputation of producing influential leaders in government, business and academia," said Rear Adm. Dee Mewbourne, Commander, Naval Service Training Command. "Our partnership with Princeton will develop men and women of a caliber and character to lead our Navy into the future."
For information on how to apply for an NROTC scholarship, visit http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/apply.aspx.
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 young men and women for leadership positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps. Naval Service Training Command oversees 98 percent of Navy accessions, including NROTC.
