Norwich University

Norwich University is a private university in Northfield, Vermont, United States. The university was founded in 1819 as the "American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy". It is the oldest of six senior military colleges and is recognized by the United States Department of Defense as the "Birthplace of ROTC".

Academics at Norwich are divided into two main sections: the Corps of Cadets, and the College of Graduate & Continuing Studies, the latter of which offers graduate and undergraduate degrees, both in-person and online. The ROTC departments of Norwich offer cadets a path to commissioning in all branches save the U.S. Coast Guard (which does not have an ROTC program). Norwich cadets interested in a commission with the U.S. Coast Guard participate in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program.

All entering freshmen aspiring to the Corps of Cadets are called "Rooks", and their first year at Norwich is called "Rookdom". The institution of "Rookdom" consists of two three-month processes that mold civilians into Norwich Cadets: Rook Basic Training and Basic Leadership Training. The culmination of Rook Basic Training marks the halfway point toward Recognition and occurs before Thanksgiving break, after which Rooks are awarded privileges. Recognition for acceptance into the Corps of Cadets typically occurs around the eighteenth week.

Norwich alumni have included over 138 flag officers in the U.S. Armed Forces, 26 generals in foreign armed forces (namely Thailand and the Republic of China), six state governors, three chief justices of a state supreme court, one U.S. Secretary of the Navy (Gideon Welles), and nine Medal of Honor recipients. Three of those recipients, Command Master Chief Edward Byers, Sergeant Major Thomas Payne and Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover earned their degrees online while actively serving in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army respectively.