The university's Department of Military Science and Leadership offers an intensive ROTC program. Students face hands-on and mental training beyond the classroom. The ROTC program allows students to earn tuition expenses, book fees and a living stipend. Students must complete 23 program hours and can graduate as military officers. Active duty officers teach courses through Tampa's "intercampus agreement" with the University of South Florida's Naval Reserve Officer Training and Air Force Reserve Officers Training.
In the freshman year, the midshipmen become used to life in the Naval ROTC. He learns basic military history and performs weekly drills. Scholarship midshipmen complete CORTRAMID (Career Orientation and Training of Midshipmen) for a four-week period. During CORTRAMID, the student travels, spends time on ships and meets other midshipmen. After senior year, students are commissioned as Second Lieutenants and are assigned duty stations.
Jacksonville University has the second largest NROTC unit in the United States. The student may choose any major, but must complete Naval Science courses in addition. Naval officers serve as the programs' advisors and faculty members. NROTC students participate in battalion activities, intramurals and professional development. After the program's end, students become Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corps or Naval ensigns.
Students participating in leadership activities are paid a $700 stipend to attend a five-week ROTC Leadership and Development Course. Cadets that become army officers earn between $2,500 and $4,000 while in ROTC. Students sign up for ROTC as an elective course and participate in hands-on training, as well as in academics. Students are not under obligation to join the army upon graduation. ROTC students learn beneficial skills to use in other careers.