Summer Cruise

The Navy sends all scholarship students on a summer cruise over the three summers in between the four years of undergraduate education.

Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID). Sometimes referred to as midshipmen third class training, CORTRAMID is a combined aviation, surface, submarine, and Marine Corps indoctrination period for scholarship students. The cruise is normally completed between the student’s first and second years in either San Diego, CA or Norfolk, VA. One week is spent with each of the major Navy communities (Aviation, Submarines, and Surface Warfare) and the Marine Corps. The objective of the Aviation Training Week is to introduce Midshipmen to the basic concepts of naval aviation through flights in naval aircraft and supporting lectures and demonstrations. The objective of Surface Warfare Training Week is to provide a more complete picture of the Surface Warfare community through two days aboard an underway warship supplemented by tours and lectures during the week. Submarine Training Week is designed to introduce and promote an interest in the Submarine Warfare community through tours and lectures that support two days underway aboard a nuclear-powered submarine. The objective of Marine Training week is to expose midshipmen to Marine Corps operations, the fundamentals of expeditionary warfare, and the complexities of conducting these operations.

Midshipmen First Class Training (Navy Option)

Surface Cruise. This is a cruise aboard a fleet ship, normally completed by both Scholarship and College Program students between their third and fourth years. Midshipmen are trained in junior officer billets and are given an opportunity to assume the responsibilities of junior officers in as many departments of the ship as practicable.

Foreign Exchange Cruise (FOREX). The Foreign Exchange Cruise program is designed to promote an exchange of professional, cultural, and social experiences between midshipmen in the United States Navy and midshipmen of foreign navies. A limited number of exemplary first class midshipmen are selected by NSTC to serve their first class cruise with a foreign navy in lieu of the normal first class training cruise. Fluency in a foreign language is normally required. Interested students should see their class advisor in their third year to apply.

Submarine Cruise. This is an alternative for prospective submariners. As with Foreign Exchange cruises, selections are made on an individual basis by NSTC.

Nuclear Propulsion Cruise. This is an alternative to first class cruise for prospective Surface Line (Nuclear). As with Foreign Exchange cruises, selections are made on an individual basis by NSTC.

Aviation Cruise. This program is designed to place potential naval aviators in operating fleet squadrons during First Class Cruise attached to either aircraft carriers or ashore with patrol squadrons (VP), helicopter squadrons (HSM/HSC/HM), carrier-based fixed wing (VFA/VAQ) or training squadrons (HT/VT). A limited number of first class midshipmen are selected by NSTC for this summer training opportunity.

SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Training. This program is designed to introduce the demanding daily routine of the Special Warfare and EOD communities. The rigorous demands of these communities require midshipmen to excel both physically and academically in order to receive a spot on these competitive cruises. Midshipmen must excel during this training in order to be selected as either an EOD Officer or an officer in the Navy SEALS.

Marine Option Summer Training. Marine Option scholarship midshipmen participate in CORTRAMID after their first year. After their second year, Marine Option midshipmen take part in a surface cruise with Marines afloat with the amphibious fleet. After their third year, both Marine Option Scholarship and College Program Advanced Standing students attend Officer Candidates School (6-Week Course) at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, Virginia.