Oregon State University

Oregon State's NROTC unit was established in 1926 as one of the original Navy pilot programs and has operated continuously since. Corvallis is inland, but the Pacific Fleet concentration at Naval Station Bremerton, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Naval Base Kitsap — all within a day's drive — provides summer and weekend familiarization opportunities. The unit's Marine Option requires attendance at OCS Bulldog the summer between junior and senior year, and the Marine Infantry Immersion experience exposes midshipmen to the ground combat element. Oregon State's engineering programs — particularly nuclear, mechanical, and chemical engineering — produce candidates competitive for the submarine and nuclear surface warfare communities. The unit has a strong outdoor training tradition that leverages Oregon's terrain for field exercises. Service selection results include the full spectrum of warfare communities. The OSU campus military culture is broadly positive in a state that might otherwise be assumed otherwise.