A significant portion of Midshipmen's professional training during their four-year curriculum is received during summer training. Midshipmen must ultimately make decisions as to which warfare area they will request to be commissioned into; CORTRAMID and the various summer training programs are designed to instill awareness of these areas and provide Midshipmen with the background necessary to make informed decisions regarding their career choice.
3/C Cruise
CORTRAMID lasts four weeks with each of the four weeks devoted to a different warfare specialty:
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During Aviation week, Midshipmen receive survival training and briefings on flight physiology and possible aviation career paths. All Midshipmen also receive at least one flight in a T-34 training aircraft and helicopter.
- Submarine week allows Midshipmen to spend 2 and a half days underway onboard a ballistic missile submarine. The rest of the week, Midshipmen get an opportunity to use training simulators such as the dive simulator, weapons control simulator, and damage control simulator.
- Surface week places Midshipmen aboard either a Cruiser, a Destroyer, or an Amphib for a week. Midshipmen have an opportunity to see what shipboard life is like and are allowed to participate in a number of activities on the ship.
- Marine week allows Midshipmen to get some motivating time in the fresh air and sun as they get to see life from the Marine point of view. Midshipmen are treated to Marine PT, taught basic fire team tactics, and culminate their week with a night out in the field followed by mock battles and ambushes.
2/C Cruise
During 2/C Cruise, Midshipmen are fully integrated into the shipboard organization and are assigned the duties of middle level enlisted personnel regularly assigned to the ships. The goals of this training are:
- To familiarize midshipmen with life at sea and to familiarize midshipmen with shipboard organization, ship systems, evolutions, and safety requirements at sea and in port
- To develop an appreciation for tasks, responsibilities, and living and working conditions of enlisted personnel aboard ship
- To provide hands-on training in seagoing skills through personnel qualification standards (PQS)
- To emphasize the importance of maintaining military courtesy, smartness, and discipline
1/C Cruise
Navy Option Midshipmen are fully integrated into the shipboard organization and are assigned the duties of junior officers. The goals of this training are:
- To prepare midshipmen for commissioned service through active participation in the duties and responsibilities of a junior officer at sea
- To further the development of officer-like qualities and leadership skills
- To familiarize midshipmen with warfare systems
- To emphasize the importance of maintaining military courtesy, smartness, and disciplineTo familiarize midshipmen with life at sea and to familiarize midshipmen with shipboard organization, ship systems, evolutions, and safety requirements at sea and in port
Marine Option Cruise
Midshipmen who aspire to be Marine Officers are required to attend OCS at Quantico, VA, for six weeks in the summer between their junior and senior year. OCS is a right of passage for all future Marine officers and requires that each Candidate has the physical and mental strength to handle the demanding career that lies ahead of them.
OCS is one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences Marine Option midshipmen will have.