History of NROTC

The NROTC was first established in 1926 to offer certain college students the necessary Naval Science courses required to qualify them for commissions in the Naval Reserve. NROTC units were established at six universities. The initial program was very successful, and during the years preceding World War II, it was expanded to include additional colleges and universities. During World War II, the United States Navy expanded from a manpower force of 100,000 officers and men in 1938 to over 3.5 million in 1945. The Navy became the world's dominant sea power, and the requirement for a large regular career officer corps became essential to lead and manage it. As a result of a thorough study by distinguished Naval Officers, civilian educators, and members of Congress, the mission of the NROTC was greatly increased in 1946 to encompass a new program, the regular NROTC. This program was established to produce well-trained and educated, career-minded junior officers to supplement the output of the United States Naval Academy. Today, the Naval ROTC program educates and trains qualified, university-level, men and women for service as commissioned officers in the unrestricted line Naval Reserve or Marine Corps Reserve. As the largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the NROTC Scholarship Program fills a vital need in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps. Today, there are NROTC units at various universities across the nation. Each unit is commanded by either a Navy Captain or a Marine Corps Colonel. The Commanding Officer (CO) reports to the Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), who in turn reports to the CNO. It is the responsibility of the CO to ensure that his/her unit produces quality officers.

History of Jacksonville University NROTC

On 23 September 1971, the first NROTC Unit in the state of Florida was formally dedicated during ceremonies at Jacksonville University. Jacksonville University is one of four Florida universities among seventy-seven colleges and universities in the United States which offer NROTC training. The Jacksonville NROTC Unit has commissioned Navy Ensigns and Marine Corps Second Lieutenants for service in a wide variety of warfare disciplines, including surface warfare, submarine warfare, naval aviation, nursing, nuclear power and Marine Corps occupational specialties.

Mission

1. To develop midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to commission college graduates as officers.
2. They must possess a basic professional background, be motivated towards a career in the naval service and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship, and government.
3. NROTC accomplishes its mission through a system of training and instruction in essential naval subjects at civil educational institutions, which qualify students for appointments as Ensigns in the Navy or Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corps!

Goals of NROTC

1. An understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of naval science.
2. A basic understanding of the associated professional knowledge.
3. An appreciation of the requirements for national security.
4. A strong sense of personal integrity, honor and individual responsibility.
5. An educational background which will allow the midshipman to undertake successfully, in later periods of his/her career, advanced continuing education in a field of application and interest to the naval service.
6. A high state of physical fitness for the purposes of health and performance.