The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Marine Option allows those with a fighting spirit the opportunity to earn a commission in the United States Marine Corps.

Those choosing to enroll in NROTC at VMI under the Marine Option must meet the same general enrollment requirements as all other midshipmen in the NROTC unit. In addition to these requirements, Marine Option participants are required to assume leadership roles within the three programs available.

The same entrance requirements exist to join the battalion, but the National ROTC Scholarship Program for those planning to commission into the US Marine Corps is slightly different than those planning to join the US Navy. The USMC route offers a 4-year scholarship, but unlike the USN path, interested students must apply as either a high school junior or high school senior.

Courses specifically tailored to those in the Marine Option are available, and NROTC faculty and staff includes dedicated Marine Instructors to guide midshipmen as they prepare to commission into this elite fighting force.

During field training exercises (FTX) in the fall and spring, Marine Option midshipmen split off from the rest of the NROTC unit, taking on challenges designed to prepare them for their future careers as Marine Corps Second Lieutenants.

OFFICER CANDIDATES SCHOOL (OCS)

In addition to fulfilling all requirements of a bachelor's degree program at VMI and the NROTC academic program, those planning to commission into the US Marine Corps must also successfully complete Officer Candidates School (OCS).

The mission of OCS "is to educate and train officer candidates in Marine Corps knowledge and skills within a controlled and challenging environment in order to evaluate and screen individuals for the leadership, moral, mental, and physical qualities required for commissioning as a Marine Corps officer."

Training events include: combat conditioning, fire team assault course, leadership reaction course, and more.

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