What is NSO?

This 3-day period of instruction focuses on military orientation including drill, uniform wear, core values, customs and courtesies, chain of command, and inspections. Professional training on Naval operations, service selection, drug and alcohol policies, and equal opportunity/sexual harassment policies helps to create the framework upon which four more years of professional training will be built. NSO is held at the start of Fall Semester.

Midshipmen Handbook

NSO Physical Fitness (Navy)

New navy option students will have to complete a Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) during New Student Orientation. The minimum standards for the PRT are listed in the table below:

Read the official NROTC pre-arrival physical training plan.

NSO Physical Fitness (Marine Corps)

New marine option students will have to complete a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) during New Student Orientation. The minimum overall score to pass is a 200. The individual required event scores are listed in the table below:

Read the official NROTC pre-arrival physical training plan.

Swim Qualification

All midshipmen must be 3rd Class Swimmer qualified by the end of their freshman year and must re-qualify every year following. Midshipmen may qualify as 2nd Class Swimmers and will be exempt from further testing.

3rd Class Swimmer

A 3rd Class Swimmer is described as a person who can stay afloat and survive without the use of a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) in open water under optimum conditions long enough to be rescued in a man-over-board situation. The 3rd Class Swimmer qualification is the minimum entry-level requirement for all U.S. Navy personnel.

2nd Class Swimmer

A 2nd Class Swimmer is described as a person who can stay afloat and survive without the use of a PFD indefinitely under optimum conditions. The 2nd Class Swimmer qualification is used as an entry-level requirement for Small Boat Operators, Naval Air Crewman and Rescue Swimmers.

Read for more guidance on swim qualification requirements.