Two Navy ROTC Students Earn Full Ride Scholarships

One of the biggest benefits of the Naval ROTC, other than preparing college students to be officers in the world’s finest Navy, is that midshipmen can earn scholarships that cover their entire tuition.

While some students enter college with a four-year scholarship, others join ROTC without a scholarship as college program students. These college programmers participate in the same training evolutions and classes that the rest of the battalion does, and after their first year they can apply for a scholarship that covers their tuition for the rest of their time in college. 

In special circumstances, scholarships can be awarded by the commanding officer during the school year. Last month, Captain Brian Tanaka, the commanding officer of the Wolfpack battalion, awarded these scholarships to Midshipman 4/C Joaquin Blades and Midshipman 4/C Natalie Wilhelm. These midshipmen went above and beyond last semester, achieving the highest academic, physical fitness, and overall aptitude scores out of their class. 

Blades is from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, and he is currently a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering. When he joined ROTC, he hoped to improve himself by building his character, surrounding himself with high achievers, and increasing his global awareness. 

“ROTC has pushed me to achieve things I would not have thought I could, by getting me further in academics, physical fitness, and everyday stuff,” Blades said.

When he commissions, Blades hopes to give back to his nation and contribute to the greater good by joining the Submarine Warfare Community.

Wilhelm, from Morrisville, North Carolina, is a freshman in NC State’s Civil Engineering program. She joined ROTC because “I want to challenge myself in all areas of life and serve with like-minded people.” 

Wilhelm hopes to be either a Naval Flight Officer or a Surface Warfare Officer after she commissions. 

Congratulations and good luck to these midshipmen!