Marine Corps cadets must maintain the high levels of physical fitness that are found in the active duty Marine Corps. To achieve this goal they participate in PT sessions twice a week and are expected to exercise on their own as well. These sessions include runs and calisthenics. Each semester, every cadet must pass the Physical Fitness Test (PFT). The test consists of three events: pull-ups, crunches and a three-mile run (females perform a flexed arm hang instead of pull-ups). The required score depends on the cadet's gender and age.
Academic excellence is an integral part of NROTC training and Marine cadets are expected to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. This includes all of their non-NROTC courses. During their time in school, cadets must carry a full course load. Some NROTC units provide study halls and academic advisement for cadets who fall below the academic requirements but if there is no improvement, the cadet might be dropped from the program.
Each NROTC program has a program of courses for its cadets. While the names of these courses might vary a bit from campus to campus, the content focuses on introducing cadets to the structure of the Navy and Marine Corps. There are also courses that cover foreign policy and the technical capabilities of the Navy and Marine Corps. Finally, cadets must participate in a leadership lab every semester that they are in the program. The labs provide addition training meant to develop cadets into officers. Lab training includes close-order drill, leadership scenarios, inspections or a special lecture.
During the summer break, Marine NROTC cadets participate in an annual summer-training program. Marine cadets are typically assigned to active Marine units, where they learn about planning combat operations and how to lead enlisted Marines into battle. During their final summer, Marine Corps candidates attend Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va. After they have completed OCS and received their bachelor's degree, cadets are officially commissioned as second lieutenants in the Marine Corps.