New Student Indoctrination (NSI) is designed to prepare future midshipmen for success at their Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) units. While most candidates attend NSI straight out of high school, it is not uncommon for students to attend after their freshman
year.
This article is written from the perspective of a midshipman candidate who had prior experience, having already learned the basics of military manners throughout his freshmen year at NC State’s NROTC unit. Despite this foundation, NSI provided a handful of new learning experiences and challenges.
Key Events at NSI
NSI is structured around several critical events that test and develop the candidates’ knowledge, physical fitness and military skills. It is carried out at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois – the same place where our Navy’s enlisted recruits attend basic training.
These events included a knowledge test, a physical readiness test, a third-class swim qualification, small arms handling and marksmanship training, the confidence chamber (exposure to tear gas), firefighting and line handling (mooring a ship to dock).
To pass NSI, candidates must demonstrate a thorough understanding of these subjects, along with exhibiting leadership and military bearing. Former President John F. Kennedy’s quote, “Leadership and
learning are indispensable to each other,” encapsulates its essence. At NSI, learning and leadership go hand in hand given that most events require everyone to succeed for you to succeed.
Growth and Camaraderie
While completing each event brought a sense of confidence and excitement, the most rewarding aspect of NSI was the camaraderie formed with fellow candidates from universities around the nation. Getting to know and grow alongside future Naval and Marine Corps leaders
was incredibly inspiring.
Everyone, committed to the common goal of serving a nation that has
given us so much, shared the discomfort of early mornings, late nights, and continuous learning.
These experiences brought each of us greater wisdom, endurance and conviction toward becoming a naval officer. The collective courage and dedication seen throughout the program were a source of pride and motivation.
Lessons Learned
NSI taught me that becoming a naval officer is not just about personal accomplishments, but about the collective success of the team. I learned the value of resilience in the face of adversity and how crucial it is to support those around me.
It made me realize that leadership is rooted in service to others, ensuring that the team grows stronger together. The experiences at NSI reinforced my commitment to becoming a capable and empathetic leader, with a focus on continuous learning and collaboration. These lessons will stick with me through the entirety of not only my career, but also my life. NSI showed me that, in the Navy, the bonds we form and the lessons we learn are the foundation of our success.
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