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The Naval Science Program at Florida A&M University (https://cafs.famu.edu/departments-and-centers/navy-rotc/index.php) is administered by the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Unit. This program affords selected students the opportunity to receive Navy-specified instruction and training which, in conjunction with completion of their baccalaureate degree program, will qualify them for a commission in the United States Navy or Marine Corps. Students enrolled in the university who are physically and academically qualified are eligible to apply for the NROTC program.

As Naval Officers, FAMU NROTC graduates start Naval careers ranging from the aviation squadrons, surface warships, and nuclear-powered submarines in the Navy to the combat subspecialties as an officer of the Marine Corps. With the consent of the Professor of Naval Science, any student, although not enrolled in the NROTC program, is eligible for enrollment in naval science courses. The Florida A&M University NROTC Unit offers participation through three programs: (1) NROTC Scholarship Programs, (2) NROTC College Program, and (3) the Two-Year NROTC Scholarship Program.

Faculty

Professor of Naval Science: Benjamin Ringvelski, Col/USMC

Associate Professor of Naval Science: Ricardo Escalante, CDR/USN

Assistant Professors: Courtney Arnold, Capt/USMC; Quesly Daniel, LT/USN; Shaq Keels, LT/USN

Staff: Shannon Gillentine, HRA; Calvin Robinson, Supply Officer; Jason Daniels, GySgt/USMC, AMOI

The NROTC Scholarship Program

Open to all FAMU and FSU students who are United States citizens. Students are selected on their own merit to become officers in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Department of the Navy pays for tuition and fees (or room and board for FAMU students), $375 per semester textbook grant, uniforms, and a monthly subsistence allowance of $250 (freshmen), $300 (sophomores), $350 (juniors), and $400 (seniors).

Scholarship students are normally selected through national competition during their senior year in high school. Each year Minority Serving Institution Scholarship Reservation (MSISR) Scholarships are also available through a competitive selection process to high school seniors and college freshmen with less than 30 credit hours with academic potential or students who have completed at least one, but have not completed a second semester of course work at a university with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better and no grade below “C”.

Although it is not a requirement, a student in the NROTC Scholarship Program is encouraged to pursue a major in engineering, mathematics, or the physical sciences to meet the technological requirements of the Navy. Other fields of study for a major leading to a baccalaureate degree are permitted with the approval of the Professor of Naval Science. Regardless of the major, every Navy scholarship student must complete one year of calculus and one year of calculus-based physics.

Students must take certain Navy or Marine Corps specified courses in their program and complete a program of courses as prescribed by the Professor of Naval Science. Upon graduation and successful completion of the naval science curriculum, the midshipman will receive a regular commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy or Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and serve on active duty for a minimum of five years.

NROTC College Program

Open to all FAMU, FSU, and TCC freshmen and sophomores. Designed to train and educate well-qualified young men and women for commissioning. The Navy pays for uniforms and naval science textbooks during the four-year period. Midshipmen receive $350 (junior) and $400 (senior) subsistence pay. Each student is selected for enrollment in the program on the basis of past academic performance, potential, personal interviews, and a physical examination. A college program midshipman only acquires a military service obligation after entering the advanced courses at the beginning of the junior year.

Although there are no restrictions on the major college program students may pursue, it is highly recommended that they pursue a course of study similar to that of scholarship students. Students must also include in their program Navy specified courses and a program of courses in naval science. Upon graduation and successful completion of the naval science curriculum, students receive a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy or a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and serve on active duty for a minimum of four years.

Two-Year NROTC Scholarship Program

The two-year scholarship program is administered in the same manner as the two-year non-scholarship program, except that a student who has excelled in math, physical science, or engineering and who has demonstrated above average performance in integral calculus may be selected for a two year full-tuition scholarship; the student will receive $350.00 subsistence (juniors) and $400.00 subsistence (seniors) per month, books, and lab fees.

Summer Training

NROTC Scholarship students are required to complete training of approximately four weeks during each of the three summer recesses. During the first summer period, each scholarship student will receive instruction in aviation training, marine combat training, surface warfare indoctrination, and submarine indoctrination either in Norfolk, VA or San Diego, CA. The second summer training will be performed aboard operational ships of the U.S. Fleet. During the third summer, candidates for U.S. Navy commissions will perform training aboard operational ships as junior officers. The student who qualifies for nuclear propulsion training may elect to cruise on nuclear powered ships or submarines. Naval Special Operations and Naval Special Warfare training is also available for third summer midshipmen interested in those areas. Transportation costs to and from the training sites, subsistence, quarters, and pay of approximately $1,000 per month will be paid to every participating student.

FAMU-FSU-TCC Cooperative Program - Utilizing cooperative enrollment procedures, a student at FlSU or TCC is fully eligible for all NROTC programs offered at FAMU.

Naval Science Laboratory - The Naval Science lab meets once per week for two hours covering professional and military subject matter. Attendance is mandatory for all midshipmen.

Programs

• Naval Science Minor

• Naval Science Program

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