Navy Brings ROTC to Rutgers

From Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Rutgers University President Richard L. McCormick participated in a signing ceremony March 21 to formalize an agreement to bring the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program to Rutgers for the first time.

The new agreement between the U.S. Navy and Rutgers University provides an opportunity for Rutgers students to earn a commission in the United States Navy or Marine Corps through the NROTC program, and marks the first time since 1972 that the NROTC program is available to college students in the state of New Jersey.

"I am pleased we are bringing professional military education and training to diverse, world-class educational environments like Rutgers," said Secretary Mabus. "While this is a great opportunity for the Navy, Rutgers faculty, students and surrounding communities will benefit from the unique opportunity to know firsthand the pride, professionalism, and versatility of our Sailors and Marines."

NROTC unit staff will begin to arrive at Rutgers in the spring of 2012, and the first Naval Science classes will be taught in the fall semester of 2012. Rutgers's diverse student population and stellar international reputation in engineering and the sciences makes the university a good fit for the Navy and Marine Corps as it seeks to meet global challenges during a time of increasing technological demands.

"Rutgers is delighted to start the Naval Science program on the New Brunswick Campus and honored to offer a Naval ROTC experience to New Jersey students," Rutgers University President Richard L. McCormick said. "The program will provide outstanding scholarship and career opportunities for those who enroll and prepare selected men and women for commissioned service in the United States Navy or Marine Corps."

"Establishing Naval ROTC at Rutgers enriches and strengthens the military and educational experience of Rutgers students, and also adds to the quality, effectiveness and diversity of our Navy and Marine Corps officer ranks," Mabus said.

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.

Devloping Navy and Marine Corps leaders and ensuring the professional growth of Sailors and Marines makes them invaluable assets to the Department of the Navy. Those programs are important parts of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Department.