Corp of Cadets & ROTC

This is an archived copy of the 2015-16 Catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.norwich.edu/.

Corps of Cadets

For more than 180 years, Norwich University has prepared young men, and since 1974 young women, for roles as “citizen soldiers.”

When Captain Alden Partridge founded the university at Norwich, Vermont in 1819, he established the first private college in the United States to include in its basic organization military training for its students. Today, the U.S. Army officially credits Captain Partridge’s “citizen soldier” concept as the forerunner of today’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).

The Norwich University Corps of Cadets is organized as a self-governing group in which each cadet learns the value of discipline and the essential nature of leadership. Participation in ROTC, including military labs and physical training, is an integral part of the Corps leadership experience. Cadets must enroll in either Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps ROTC to maintain membership in the Corps of Cadets. To be eligible to graduate in uniform as a member of the Corps of Cadets and qualify for a Corps diploma, a cadet must successfully complete three years, six semesters, of ROTC courses, 2 each, at the 100, 200, and 300 levels respectively. Cadets seeking commissions are required to complete a fourth year of ROTC and meet all other requirements established by the commissioning branch.

The ROTC programs exist to commission well-educated officers into the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps in sufficient numbers to meet the requirements of these services. The general objectives of the programs are to provide understanding of the principles of military, aerospace, and naval science; to develop comprehension of associated professional knowledge; to build attitudes of integrity, honor, and individual responsibility; and to encourage appreciation of national security requirements. These objectives support the mission of Norwich University and the Corps of Cadets and augment the training plan necessary to prepare Cadets for service to the Nation as soldiers and citizens.

To be enrolled in Norwich University’s ROTC program or courses, a student must be a member of the Corps of Cadets, with the exception of nursing students.

ROTC Requirement

To be enrolled in Norwich University’s ROTC program or courses, a student must be a member of the Corps of Cadets. An exception to this regulation is allowed for students majoring in Nursing.

Students who have honorably and faithfully served our nation as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, as evidenced by either the award of an honorable discharge certificate (DD214), or the completion of three years of honorable service in the active component, the reserve component (drilling member), or a combination of both as evidenced by a letter from the individuals commanding officer, and has achieved the age of at least 22 years as of 1 September of the year of matriculation, may apply for enrollment in the Norwich University ROTC program of their choice. The applicable ROTC Department Professor (Colonel), the Dean of National Services, and the Commandant will review the applicants file for eligibility to enroll in ROTC and pursue a commission in the service of their choice.

Cadets contracted for Commission

The Norwich University Board of Trustees has directed that all members of the Corps of Cadets, who are contracted for commission, be required to take four years of ROTC courses; one course per semester. The ROTC courses must include each of the two courses offered at each of the four levels (100, 200, 300, 400). Branch of service transfers will be allowed (prerequisites permitting) during the first two years of the requirement.

Non-contracted Cadets

  • Non-contracted Cadets are required to complete six semesters of ROTC courses. Students remain responsible for all established degree requirements. The ROTC courses must include each of the two courses offered at each of the three levels (100, 200, 300). Branch transfer for non-contracted, third and fourth year Cadets must be coordinated between the ROTC departments and approved by the Dean of the School of National Services School.
  • Students transferring into the Corps are required to pass as many ROTC courses as they have semesters remaining at Norwich University.
  • Veterans with an honorable discharge certificate (DD214) or the completion of three years of service in the active component, the reserve component (drilling member) or a combination of both, may apply for enrollment in the Norwich University ROTC program of their choice. The applicable ROTC Department Professor (Colonel), and the Commandant will review the applicants.