University of Washington Naval Reserve Training Corps

New Student Orientation


The University of Washington’s Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps conducts an annual orientation prior to the start of the fall quarter.  Throughout the week incoming midshipmen will learn the expectations of Husky Battalion morally, mentally, and physically.

New Student Orientation Objective

Familiarize prospective Midshipmen with:
  • Military customs and courtesies
  • Uniform regulations
  • Height and Weight standards
  • Navy and Marine Corps Fitness Standards
  • Close order drill
  • NROTC Program
  • Various career options (Aviation, Surface Warfare, Submarines, Marine Corps, etc.)
  • Emphasize the importance of teamwork, leadership, and core values

Reporting to UW NROTC

You are required to arrive at Clark Hall (2103 Skagit Lane, Seattle, WA 98195) no later than 0545 on Monday, 19 September 2022<\span>

. You are required to wear a black collared polo shirt, khaki pants, a black or dark brown belt, and appropriate running shoes. Ensure that you bring a pen, a notepad, a water bottle, and the completed documents outlined below upon checking into the unit.

You will need to have the following documents on your possession when reporting to the command:
  1. Immunization record
  2. Birth certificate and other identification (e.g. driver’s license)
  3. Reporting-in letter from Naval Service Training Command (scholarship students only)
  4. All administrative paperwork
  5. Bank information (account and routing numbers, and direct deposit capability)
  6. Doctor’s note detailing your ability to engage in physical activity (only applies to non-scholarship students entering the College Program)
  7. Receipts for travel expenses incurred from home to UW (travel may be reimbursed for scholarship students only)
Should you have any questions regarding the required documents mentioned above, contact the New Student Orientation Admin Officer immediately. 

Initial Preparation for New Student Orientation

Along with completing all of the necessary paperwork, you must complete the following action items to be fully prepared for New Student Orientation.

  • Attend a UW or Seattle U “Advising and Orientation” session prior to NSO.
  • You must ensure you have set up all of your housing requirements.
  • Obtain a Husky Card (student ID) in your possession.
  • Register for N SCI 101 and N SCI 110, in addition to your other classes.
    • NOTE: When registering for classes, you may be asked for an “add code” for the NSCI 101 course. Contact the New Student Orientation Administration Officer to receive your add code. If you are a Seattle University student, you will be unable to register until you arrive. You will, however, need to leave a block in your schedule on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 0830-0920 or 0930-1020.
  • Become intimately familiar with the Welcome Aboard Guide and the New Student Orientation Tri-fold
  • Ensure you are within all grooming and weight standards prior to arriving and that you are wearing a black polo with khaki pants when reporting in (see “Grooming Standards and Proper Day One Attire” section).

Housing

Students who intend on residing in the dorms during the school year must apply for early arrival. Applying for early access will allow you to gain access to your respective dorm rooms prior to New Student Orientation. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS. The UW NROTC program has no authority within the realm of roommate selection or assignment; such decisions remain your responsibility. It is strongly advised that you apply for a dorm room in the immediate vicinity to Clark Hall. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the student services office (contact information below). You will need to inquire about Early Arrival Housing with respect to UW NROTC program.

Instructions for student housing through UW:

  • Set up your UW NetID
    • This must be completed at least 5 days before you apply for housing
  • Set up your UW email account
  • Complete your Housing and Food Services (HFS) Student Profile
    • Link is only accessible once you have a MyUW account
    • MyHFS
  • Apply for Housing using MyHFS
  • Apply for Early Arrival Housing
    •  When applying for early arrival housing, put the reason as “ROTC” and the verifying UW employee as Jon-Paul Mickle, navadmin@uw.edu.
    • Deadline is Sunday, September 1, 2022
  • Student Services Office
    • hfsinfo@uw.edu
    • (206) 543-4059

Husky Card Account

As a UW student, you have a student debit account that can be accessed with your Husky Card. The Husky Card can be used for UW affiliated services, which includes dining facilities, parking, and laundry services. You must verify that your card works before arriving at New Student Orientation. Funds can be added to your Husky Card Account by accessing the Online Card Office or by visiting the Husky Card Account and ID Center on campus. The physical office is located on the ground floor of the Odegaard Undergraduate Library, but business hours may conflict with the NSO training, therefore, all issues or concerns must be addressed before arrival.

Husky Card Online Access

Grooming Standards and Proper Day One Attire

You must adhere to the grooming standards and appropriate civilian attire regulations; therefore, you must read the applicable sections by visiting the following links:

Navy Regulations:

CHAPTER 2 SECTION 2 – GROOMING STANDARDS

The aforementioned section contains general Navy regulations regarding personal appearance. Arrive at NSO in compliance with Navy grooming standards. Pay special attention to shave and haircut.

CHAPTER 7 SECTION 1 – CIVILIAN CLOTHING

The aforementioned section contains general Navy regulations regarding civilian clothing. Arrive at NSO in compliance with the civilian clothing standards. Ensure that a belt is present if the pants worn has belt loops.

Marine Corps Regulations:

CHAPTER 1 – PERSONAL APPEARANCE/CIVILIAN ATTIRE

The aforementioned section contains general Marine Cops regulations regarding personal appearance and civilian clothing. Arrive at NSO in compliance with Marine Corps grooming and clothing standards. Pay special attention to the shave, haircut, the shoes you wear, and proper belt wear.

Proper Etiquette

Before arriving to NSO, ensure you understand the following Navy and Marine Corps rules of etiquette:

  1. All Battalion members will come to attention when the Commanding Officer (CO) enters a room with one Battalion member announcing “Attention on Deck.”
  2. Battalion members will stand at attention when addressed by an officer, then assume parade rest if told to relax. Officers or civilian personnel will be addressed as sir or ma’am, or appropriate title respectively.
  3. When speaking with another member of the Battalion, the individual will go to the position of parade rest.
  4. If any member is in uniform and covered while approached by an officer, the member will give the appropriate salute and greeting of the day. After the officer has returned or acknowledged the salute, bring your hand smartly to your side.
  5. Timeliness is an essential element of both etiquette and professionalism. Being 15 minutes early for all official business is the standard expectation in the Battalion and the fleet.
  6. Battalion members shall not chew gum while in uniform. Also, when walking in uniform, it is inappropriate to eat, drink, or use a cell phone. Polo and khakis is considered a uniform for this purpose.
  7. Battalion members are required to carry themselves with professionalism at all times.

Academics

  • Naval science courses are required for the Autumn (A), Winter (W), and Spring (Sp) quarters during each year. Freshmen classes: NSCI 101 (Au), 102 (Wi), 103 (Sp). Incoming freshmen should register for NSCI 101 during their UW orientation. Each of these classes is 3 credits.
  • All students enroll in NSCI 110 each academic quarter. This is for regular Tuesday morning drill lab, which will take place prior to the start of the day’s classes. NSCI 110 is a zero-credit course.
  • The NROTC program incorporates additional academic requirements beyond those required for your major. These include two quarters of calculus and calculus-based physics, English writing, an American history or national security policy course, and a non-western world culture or regional studies course. For more detail, consult the required classes guide.
  • NROTC regulations require that students take between 15 and 18 credits; any deviation must be approved by the Commanding Officer via chain of command. Note that NSCI 110 will not count for any credits, but other NSCI classes will count for 3 each.
  • Failure to pass classes or advance in accordance with UW policy may result in disenrollment. Attendance at all classes and labs is mandatory for NROTC students.
  • Students meet with NROTC company advisors quarterly (at a minimum) to discuss progress and performance.
  • Students should be aware that transitioning into both the Naval ROTC unit and college in general takes significant adjustment. Taking both Calculus and Calculus-based physics during the first quarter has proven to be very difficult for students in the past.

Swimming

  • Students are expected to report to the University of Washington with basic swimming skills and the ability to pass, at minimum, the Navy 3rd Class Swimmer test with the goal of reaching 2nd Class Swimmer standards before commissioning. Failure to qualify as a 3rd Class Swimmer by the end of your first academic year will render you ineligible to participate in further summer training as well as a review of your aptitude for commissioning.
  • Students who qualify at the 3rd Class Swimmer level will be required to be retested annually; those that meet 2nd Class Swimmer criteria will be exempt from future testing.
  • A video that illustrates these tests, as well as the grading criteria, can be found at:
  • The 3rd class swim test consists of stepping off a platform at least five feet above the water, a 50-yd. swim using any stroke, a five-minute prone float, and shirt/trouser inflation. The 2nd Class test includes the deep-water jump; a 100-yard swim demonstrating breaststroke, sidestroke, elementary backstroke, and crawl; and an additional float.
  • You are required to become familiar with the requirements of these tests and practice your swimming skills over the summer. The 3rd and 2nd Class swim tests will be administered during the New Student Orientation period. If you have any questions about these requirements or the testing criteria, please contact the New Student Orientation Administration Officer.
  • Be sure to bring proper swimwear to NSO, as an inventory swim test will be conducted. Swimwear shall be dark blue or black in color. Bikinis or other two-piece suits are not authorized. The reference section contains examples of acceptable swimwear.

Physical Training Guidelines

Students are regularly tested in physical aptitude through the Physical Readiness Test (Navy Options), Physical Fitness Test (Marine Options), and Combat Fitness Test (Marine Options). A PRT/PFT will be conducted during NSO.

NSO will also include regular physical training, so ensure that you arrive in good shape. Meeting only the minimum standards for the PRT/PFT is not the level of fitness that is expected from UW midshipmen.

Failure to meet “good-low” standards in push-ups, forearm planks, and the 1.5-mile run during New Student Orientation will result in immediate disciplinary action which may include a hold on financial support from the scholarship and can lead to dismissal from the program.

  • Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT) Standards:
    • For males age 20-24 the “good-low” standard is 47 push-ups, a forearm plank longer than 1 minute 40 seconds, and a 1.5 mile run faster than 12 minutes.
    • For females, the “good-low” standard is 21 push-ups, a forearm plank longer than 1 minute 30 seconds, and a 1.5 mile run faster than 14 minutes and 15 seconds.
    • Ensure you are within the Navy height and weight standards
      • Navy height and weight standards
  • USMC Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
    • Males 17-20 must run faster than 27 minutes and 40 seconds on the three-mile run, do 4 pull-ups, and a 1:10 plank.
    • Females 17-20 must run faster than 30 minutes and 40 seconds on the three-mile run, do 1 pull-up, and a 1:10 plank.
  • USMC Combat Fitness Test (CFT)
    • Males 17-20 must conduct the 880-yard run faster than 3 minutes and 45 seconds, conduct 62 ammo can lifts, and run the maneuver under fire portion faster than 3 minutes and 17 seconds.
    • Females 17-20 must conduct the 880-yard run faster than 4 minutes and 36 seconds, conduct 30 ammo can lifts, and run the maneuver under fire portion faster than 4 minutes and 53 seconds.
  • USMC Body Composition Standards



  • Click here for more information about Marine Corps Fitness

Incidental Expenses

Ensure that you have two forms of payment for food and other expenses. (e.g. debit/credit card and Husky card with dining plan)

Examples of common expenses during NSO:

  • Meals at the “Center Table” dining facility of Willow Hall; must be paid with the Husky Card Account or a Visa / Mastercard. (Approximately $8/meal)
  • Uniform items include: a new package of white crewneck undershirts and black shoe polish ($15 for full kit). Students may bring their own items or purchase items prior to NSO.
  • Campus parking permit. Prices vary; therefore, you must contact the Transportation Services at parkops@uw.edu for more information.

Point of Contact Information

Useful Links

You do not have to get these exact items, this is just intended as a general guideline for what students are expected to report in.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are my career possibilities with a NROTC scholarship?
    • Surface Warfare Officer (including Nuclear Option)
    • Submarine Officer (Nuclear Option)
    • Naval Aviator or Naval Flight Officer (NFO)
    • Special Warfare Officer (SEAL) or Special Operations Officer (EOD)
    • Marine Corps infantry, armor, artillery or aviation **
    • US Navy Nurse Corps (for students with a nurse-option scholarship)
    • Service assignment to your first choice will be heavily based on your academic performance, leadership aptitude, and physical readiness demonstrated in the battalion.
    • ** Marine assignments are made following completion of The Basic School (TBS), after graduation and commissioning from the NROTC program.
  2. What are some activities in which I can get involved?
    • Incoming freshmen midshipmen are required to be on Regulation Drill team. There is also the Sail Team, Color Guard, and SWO (Surface Warfare Officer) Club, along with many other activities and volunteer opportunities.
    • Each year, battalion members participate in the annual Northwest Navy Competition in a number of events against four other units in the Pacific Northwest. Participation in sports and other activities outside the Battalion are encouraged. However, extracurriculars shall not interfere with ROTC duties.
  3. When do I wear my uniform?
    • Service Khakis or Navy Working Uniform will be worn once a week, normally on Tuesdays from 0600 to 1600. Physical Training (PT) Uniform will be worn during every PT session, Mondays and Wednesdays from 0630-0730. Other uniforms may be required for certain Battalion events.
  4. Can I travel or study abroad?
    • Students may be allowed to travel or study abroad, provided such travel does not interfere with their planned date of graduation and the students are excelling in academics.
  5. Where is parking located when I come to the University of Washington?
    • Parking is located throughout the campus; however, all parking areas are fee-based and may require specific permits. Parking Services does not open until 0600, so permits must be purchased the night before to park on campus. The E-18 parking lot is an exception; it uses electronic credit/debit card readers and is 7 dollars daily. If parking in E-18 it will take approximately 10 minutes to walk to Clark hall.

Required Documents


These documents are pertinent to helping incoming midshipmen become familiar with the UW NROTC. All information contained will be sent in an email, but are some requires and useful information. The measurement sheet must be completed by a professional tailor to ensure accuracy of the gear being issued.

# Item
1 Welcome Aboard Guide
2 Knowledge Tri-fold
3 Administration Forms Instruction Sheet
4 OPMIS Student Info Sheet
5 Record of Emergency Data
6 Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance
7 Bank Direct Deposit Form
8 Drug and Alcohol Abuse Statement of Understanding (DO NOT SIGN)
9 NROTC Scholarship Service Agreement (DO NOT SIGN)
10 NROTC Concept of Honor
11 Recruit/Trainee Prohibited Activities Acknowledgment (DD Form 2983)
12 Administrative Remarks (Active Service Obligation – Active Enlisted Service)
13 Administrative Remarks (Acknowledgment of Social Media Conduct Training) (NAVY OPTIONS ONLY)
14 Administrative Remarks (Social Media Guidance – Unofficial Internet Posts) (MARINE OPTIONS ONLY)
15 Administrative Remarks (Elective Surgery Acknowledgment)

MECEP & STA-21


  • MECEP/STA-21 Handbook
  • Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Educational Program (MECEP) and Seaman to Admiral – 21 (STA-21) are programs sponsored by the US Marine Corps and US Navy to provide a path for enlisted Marines and Sailors to become Commissioned Officers. Upon selection, they will receive PCS orders to their respective university where they will be attached to the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps unit to complete their undergraduate degree. During their tenure as a student, they will continue to receive their respective pay and allowances in accordance with Navy and Marine Corps regulations. STA-21 will be put into the In-active Ready Reserve which means your active duty time in service will stop until earning a commissioning. However, MECEP will continue to accrue active duty time in service towards retirement.

    Checking In

    When check in date is approaching you should have already been in touch with your sponsor for some time.

    Check-in will be initially conducted in the ADMIN OFFICE. Officer Candidates will wear Service Khakis while MECEPs will wear the Service Alphas. Check in time is between 0800 and 1100, Monday-Friday.

    Please call ahead to ensure that the appropriate staff will be present, or if checking in before 1100 is not possible.

    The ADMIN OFFICE is located in Clark Hall on the second deck, room 201. Enter through the front of the building, up the steps to the second deck, turn right, then enter the office immediately to the right. It is clearly labeled.

    UW NROTC Admin
    (206) 543-0170

    MECEP

    After checking in with admin, MECEPS must check in with the unit’s Assistant Marine Officer Instructor. Please call ahead to arrange an appointment:

    Staff Sergeant Hendrix
    (206) 221-4290

    In addition to checking in at Clark Hall, MECEPs will need to check in at Joint Base Lewis-McCord. Your sponsor will provide more detailed information.

    Joint Base Lewis-McCord
    (253) 968-7156 or (253) 988-1071

    Sponsorship Info

    STA-21

    You will be contacted by a current member of the battalion (i.e., OC or MECEP) during your time at NSI. If you have not been contacted within 2 weeks after your arrival at NSI, please contact the alternate sponsor coordinator to request an assignment of a sponsor.

    Your sponsor will email you a welcome aboard letter containing pertinent information concerning your check in process. Furthermore, your sponsor will be your immediate point of contact to answer any questions or address any issues that may arise.

    The primary sponsor coordinator for FY-22 is

  • Lieutenant Aaron Bishop
  • .

    Lieutenant Aaron Bishop
    (208) 221-4178 nrotcsub@uw.edu

    The alternate sponsor coordinator:

    Gunnery Sergeant Hendrix
    (206) 221-4290 amoi@uw.edu

    MECEP

    Marines who have been selected to the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program are required to contact the Marine Officer Instructor via phone call or email. You will be assigned a sponsor by the Marine Officer Instructor or Assistant Marine Officer Instructor. Your sponsor will email you a welcome aboard letter containing pertinent information concerning your check in process.Your sponsor will be your immediate point of contact to answer any questions or address any issues that may arise. If for any reason you are unable to communicate with your sponsor, you should direct your communication to the alternate sponsor coordinator.

    Primary Sponsor Coordinator:

    Capt Schilder
    (206) 543-0161 uwmoi@uw.edu

    Alternate Sponsor Coordinator:

    GySgt Hendrix
    (206) 221-4290 amoi@uw.edu

    Housing and Commuting

    Students participating in the MECEP or STA-21 program will receive basic allowance for housing under the 98195 zip code.

    Once reporting in you will be given 10 days of house hunting leave. If you take this special leave before detaching from your previous command you won’t be allowed to take it again after checking in. Officer Candidates frequently take leave before checking in then take house hunting leave immediately after checking in to take advantage of the lengthy break between NSI and the start of the Summer Quarter.

    An Officer Candidate or MECEP will be authorized permissive temporary additional duty for residence hunting after completing his or her initial check-in with the unit. The member will abide by all Navy or Marine Corps regulations regarding residence hunting. Furthermore, the member must comply with all unit policies regarding commute restrictions and housing policies. You must review the Housing Policy before signing any lease or purchasing a home. All waiver requests must be submitted to the Commanding Officer via your respective change of command.

    Housing Policy

    The University of Washington offers a family housing program which is affordable and within the vicinity of the campus.

    The housing is conveniently located near University Village which is close to the school and shopping area. Everything is within walking distance. The housing is month by month so there is no long term agreement you will be locked in. The rent is between $1,044 and $1326 per month. The housing has two types of living space, 1-floor flat and a 2-floor townhouse. Both can either have 2 or 3 bedroom and 1 bath. Pets are allowed but has restrictions. Please see the actual website for the most up-to-date information.

    UW NROTC Family Housing Program

    Commuting

    It is highly recommended to live as close to the U-District as possible, as you will be commuting to school several days a week for Battalion activities that start at 0630, and likely taking classes five days a week. Parking passes are available for parking close to buildings, but these passes generally cost about $450 a quarter, making driving prohibitively expensive for most situations.

    Students who chose to drive to campus usually elect to park in the E18 Parking Lot for $7 a day, or chose to purchase a day pass for $15 to park in a lot much closer to their destination.

    Included in every student’s tuition is the U-Pass, which gives unlimited access to all buses and light rails in the area. This makes commuting by bus or light rail the ideal situation for most students who choose to live off campus. It is common for students to choose a more affordable location further from campus, drive to a nearby park and ride, and take a bus to campus, as several buses have stops right outside of Clark Hall.

    Seattle traffic can be unpredictable at times; therefore, you must remain mindful of commute times during particular hours and locations.

    Commute Times on Washington State DOT website

    UW U-Pass Program

    One Bus Away (a commonly used app)

    Battalion Life

    Upon reporting to the command, every student in the battalion is assigned to a company with which they muster for drill. The company also serves as the start of student chain of command, which is the primary point of contact for most routine battalion activities during the school year.

    The Husky Battalion conducts weekly drill every Tuesday morning during the regular academic quarters, and will normally consist of general military training. The uniform for drill alternates between Navy khakis/Marine Service “B” (“C” in winter) and NWUs/MARPATs unless otherwise stated.

    Physical training is conducted twice a week with the battalion, once with the battalion as a whole and once as a company. Company PT is conducted on Monday mornings and Battalion PT is conducted on Wednesday mornings. Marine option students will participate in Bulldog Company Class on Thursday mornings and Bulldog Fieldcraft on Friday mornings.

    Apart from drill and PT there are many collateral duties within the battalion. You are now in a unit that holds high standards for all students, including OCs and MECEPs. Students are very involved within the battalion. Check in ready to engage and take on duties – it will make the transition to battalion life easier.

    Medical

    Tricare

    Tricare coverage will be that the Northwest Region. Our command qualifies for Tricare Prime Remote. If you still wish to maintain Tricare Prime, your Primary Care Manager (PCM) can be located at Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Naval Station Everett, Naval Station Bremerton, or Coast Guard Base Seattle (near T-Mobile Park). Coast Guard Base Seattle can handle most routine exams (i.e. PHA).

    Military Hospitals or Clinics near Seattle WA

    Medical and Dental Records

    You can choose to maintain your own medical and dental record. Unless you live nearby a Military Treatment Facility, keeping your medical record is recommended as you may need to visit several different medical facilities in the process of getting a commissioning physical.


    Post Graduate


    Active duty personnel who are accepted into one of the many Post Graduate Programs will find administrative support at the University of Washington’s NROTC Unit.

    Unit expectations include weekly phone musters and a bi-annual PFA taken with the unit’s Marine Officer Instructor. Otherwise students may seek any other regular administrative support from the unit’s staff.

    Please note the unit has no affiliation with the application process. We only assist personnel who are stationed at the unit. For all questions regarding the application process, please refer to a detailer or Command Career Counselor.