NAVY OPTIONS

The goal of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program is to train and develop knowledgeable leaders who possess a basic professional background and are motivated towards careers in the naval service. Unique to the Navy, many NROTC graduates will be required to assume command responsibilities and lead a division of well-trained sailors immediately once he or she reports to the fleet.

NAVY OPTION TRAINING

The mission of Navy Option Training is to support the goal of commissioning well prepared midshipmen who are ready for the challenges and demands they will face as junior officers. Midshipmen gradually acquire the skills and knowledge required to become an Ensign in the United States Navy over the course of their time in the NROTC program. The Navy Option training is designed to supplement the fundamental NROTC leadership and technical curriculum as well as the summer cruises in educating midshipmen on their potential career opportunities as a Naval Officer.

Navy Ops is a once a week, classroom based training in which midshipmen are given the opportunity to participate in sailing operations, community service events, weapons familiarization, maritime ship simulator and flight simulator training. Throughout each year, various presentations are given by local officers and enlisted sailors who can provide insight into the various naval service communities to include; Surface Warfare, Aviation, Special Operations, Nuclear Power and Submarine Warfare. The goal of Navy Ops training is to ensure that every midshipman can make an informed decision in choosing a warfare specialty upon their graduation from the University of Nebraska NROTC battalion and to enter the fleet as capable and well-educated naval officers.

THE JOY OF SAILING

The Sailing program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has a long standing tradition of excellence. “The Nebraska Fleet,” as it is affectionately called, consists of seven Lasers; small one man sailboats. Freshman will be exposed to the sailing program during their Orientation Week by receiving an introductory brief and a few hours of time on the water to familiarize themselves with sailing a boat. The UNL NROTC sailing team is comprised of Midshipmen and Officer Candidates who are willing to face the challenges and responsibilities involved. To enhance our training, we occasionally receive instruction from members of local sailing clubs and marinas. Our lake of choice in the past few years has been Branched Oak Lake; the lake provides for plenty of maneuvering room for exercises. Before the start of their Senior year, all Navy Option midshipmen are required to receive their “Skipper B” qualifications, which involve rigging the sailboat, demonstrating effective handling on the water, and a written exam.