Shipmate,
Congratulations on your selection to the Seaman to Admiral 21 program. You are well on your way to becoming a successful Naval Officer and leading our Navy’s missions from the front. The first decision that you will be confronted with is which college you will attend. Though there are many great colleges and universities that you have the option to choose from, The Citadel has all the tools you need to ensure your success in academics, physical fitness, and most importantly leadership.
Because of the strength of the academic program, The Citadel has repeatedly been rated as a top regional institution in the annual rankings issued by U.S. News and World Report. The quality of the education at The Citadel combined with the availability of financial aid, the credentials of the faculty and the graduation rate earned this institution the citation of the No. 1 best value among Southern colleges and is the No. 2 best public institution in the South in 2007. According to U.S. News editors, “the most significant values are among colleges that are above average academically.” With an average class size of 15-25 students we can assure that you will receive a top quality education and have all the resources you will need at the tip of your fingers. The Citadel’s fourteen academic departments offer five bachelor’s degrees in 17 areas, six master’s degrees in 17 areas, and specialist degrees in 2 areas. The Citadel’s mission is to educate and prepare graduates to become principled leaders in all walks of life by instilling the core values of The Citadel in a challenging intellectual environment.
The Navy Battalion has plenty of great opportunities to help make your transition into the wardroom a smooth and successful one. The Training Exercises are exceeding the standards of the NROTC programs across the nation. We have the advantage of having facilities like SPAWAR, Naval Base Mayport, and Naval Base Norfolk within a few hours of traveling. We utilize these facilities to our maximum ability to ensure that no matter which platform you intend to join upon commissioning, you are prepared. We frequently have Surface Ships along with Air Squadrons visit the beautiful Charleston area which allows us to train our Midshipmen and Officer Candidates with hands on experience. If you considering Special Warfare or Special Operations our Pre-Seal Division is rated one of, if not the best preparation tool for BUDS or EOD training in the nation. They have recently competed with many other ROTC units from around the country and took 1st Place in the competition.
Upon graduation, you will have the prestige of being a Citadel Alumni. Our Alumni Association is equal to that of West Point and Annapolis. The Citadel is very well known in the fleet for producing high quality Officers and many of our Alumni have gone on to become Admirals, Generals, Congressmen, and Senators. The Citadel is the most prestigious military college in the nation and is steeped in tradition and history that dates back to Antebellum America. I recommend that you use the information on this website and seriously consider The Citadel as your Officer Training Command. You have proven that you are cut above the rest and The Citadel will ensure your success as a Naval Officer.
If you have any questions about The Citadel, NROTC, Naval Science Institute, or just want to come and visit the campus please feel free to contact me. Good Luck at the Naval Science Institute and we hope to see you here soon!
Very Respectfully,
Senior Naval Instructor NROTC, The Citadel