Penn State Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
This page is best viewed in Firefox 2.0 or IE 7.0 (or later).
Welcome Aboard!
Welcome to the Penn State Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) website. This page is dedicated to providing information to prospective students wishing to participate in NROTC, current members of the NROTC unit and the general public. All information is available by using the navigation bars at the top and to the right. Please read the Security and Privacy Statement for elaboration on website policies.
We consist of scholarship and college program students, training for service in the United State Navy and Marine Corps. Naval Science classes are open to any interested student enrolled at the Penn State University Park Campus.
What is NROTC?The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Program, founded in 1926, was established to educate and train qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the unrestricted line Naval Reserve or Marine Corps Reserve. As the largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the NROTC Scholarship Program fills a vital need in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps. Selected applicants for the NROTC Scholarship Program are awarded scholarships through highly competitive national selection process, and receive tuition and other financial benefits worth more than $80,000 at many of the country's leading colleges and universities. More Information >
Commanding Officer: CAPT Bill Hanson, II, USN
Captain Hanson is a native of Warren, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering and a NROTC commission as an Ensign.
In 1979 Captain Hanson served as Assistant Weapons Officer for four patrols onboard USS NATHAN HALE (SSBN 623) deploying from Holy Loch, Scotland.
In 1981, he served as the Assistant Officer in Charge of DSV TURTLE (DSV 3). HE completed one patrol onboard USS DANIEL WEBSTER (SSBN 626). In 1983, Captain Hanson reported as Strategic Weapons Officer and completed six patrols onboard USS MICHIGAN (SSBN 727). Read More >
Executive Officer: CDR Paul D. Hill, USN
CDR Paul Hill graduated
from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
1980 and was commissioned at Naval Officer Candidate’s School.
Following graduation from the Surface Warfare Division Officer Course,
ENS Hill served as Gunnery Officer in USS BARBEY (FF 1088). In
1986 LT Hill was assigned as the Action Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa
at the NAVY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICE, CNO (OP-63).
Following graduation from Surface Warfare Department Head School in 1989, LT Hill reported as First Lieutenant in USS PEORIA (LST 1183). He then reported to USS MOBILE (LKA 115) as First Lieutenant, completing a ten-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. In 1992 LCDR Hill reported to USS WASP (LHD 1) as Damage Control Assistant, completing his fourth deployment during Operation RESTORE HOPE. Read More >